Primary and secondary schools have begun the state-level scholastic achievement examination.

The two-day examination will test approximately two million students who are in their 6th year at elementary school, their third year in middle as well as their first year in high school at 11,496 schools nationwide.

The first day of the exam, which began on Tuesday, tested students on Korean, English and mathematics. On Wednesday, they will take tests on social studies and science.

Students will receive the results, where the score is one of four grades. The test results of primary schools will be announced by the local districts and those of secondary schools will be distributed by city and provincial offices.

Meanwhile, civic groups who are against the state-level examination went on a field trip or held cultural events for students who chose to boycott the exam.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, however, announced that teachers who refuse to grade the tests or encourage students not to take the tests would be penalized and punished.

Additionally, students who did not undergo the test will not be excused.