I remember initially reading about this story in febuary or so on TL, when she had taken the drivers written test 771 times. She's finally passed.
After four years of trying, 68-year-old Cha Sa-soon finally managed to secure the 60 out of 100 points (the lowest possible passing score) needed to pass the test.
The grandmother has spent more than 5m won ($4,200, £2,600) on application fees for the test.
Now Mrs Cha, who lives in Jeonju, 130 miles (210km) south of Seoul, must pass the practical test to get on the road.
'Don't give up'
According to the Korean Driver's Licence Agency, the 50-minute written test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions on road regulations and car maintenance.
Mrs Cha had been trying to pass it since 13 April 2005, the Korea Times reported.
She wanted a licence so that she could use a vehicle to sell vegetables and other goods, the newspaper said.
And her determination to pass the test has made her well-known at the Jeonju centre.
"She is really famous here. Not only agency employees but even some test-takers know her. Her challenging spirit is really amazing," one official was quoted as saying.
Speaking in February - after her 775th failure - Mrs Cha had appeared undaunted.
"I believe you can achieve your goal if you persistently pursue it," she told Reuters news agency.
"So don't give up your dream, like me. Be strong and do your best.
On November 07 2009 09:09 koOl wrote:According to the Korean Driver's Licence Agency, the 50-minute written test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions on road regulations and car maintenance.
It's hard to imagine how you can't guess your way to 60% after a few hundred tries with multiple choice >.< wow
Would love to see the math of the probability of her passing after that many tries simply guessing every single multiple choice question (assuming 4 different answers for each). TBH I would've thought she'd pass soon simply guessing... kinda unlucky imo.
But yea she has no chance on the driving test, lol
edit: wow, posts above me all said pretty much the same thing about blindly guessing, haha
I'm kind of afraid of her trying the road test.........if she failed 950 times on the written test, maybe she'll crash 950 cars before passing? Kind of scary when you think about it.
I think god was trying to tell her something...After 700 it would seem pretty clear to me. Wouldn't be surprised or upset if she died in a car accident within 24 hours.
While I am happy for her and congratulate her, I'm more concern for her as well. Even if she mangage to past the behind-the-wheel(physically driving the car) test, I'd be worried if she'll be competent(for someone who tried 950 times to pass the written test) enough to drive on the road and not cause accidents! I wish her the best though and NEVER GIVE UP!
On November 07 2009 09:16 Ftrunkz wrote: Would love to see the math of the probability of her passing after that many tries simply guessing every single multiple choice question (assuming 4 different answers for each). TBH I would've thought she'd pass soon simply guessing... kinda unlucky imo.
On a test with 50 questions and 4 possible answers per question, the odds of getting 30 or more correct by guessing randomly are 1 in 6,089,075. So the odds of getting it within 950 tries by just guessing are about one in 6,410. So it would appear that she did actually learn something during the process. That, or she just got really, really lucky.
Would NEVER pass here due to the extremely strong AARP lobby we have.
In any case, upper age limit would be unfair for the many millions of people who can drive quite competently beyond that age limit. My great grandfather drove until he was 100 years old and never had an accident. Should he be confined to his house for the last quarter of his life because some other old people can't drive?
On November 07 2009 09:16 Ftrunkz wrote: Would love to see the math of the probability of her passing after that many tries simply guessing every single multiple choice question (assuming 4 different answers for each). TBH I would've thought she'd pass soon simply guessing... kinda unlucky imo.
On November 07 2009 09:52 Biochemist wrote: In any case, upper age limit would be unfair for the many millions of people who can drive quite competently beyond that age limit. My great grandfather drove until he was 100 years old and never had an accident. Should he be confined to his house for the last quarter of his life because some other old people can't drive?
That's true. However, there should be another mandatory test at the age of seventy then every five years thereafter. The number of years or whatever could change depending on scientific study, that's just an estimate.
Perhaps there is hope that Spongebob will get his boating license after all.
But at least in the United States, the written test is incredibly easy. I remember I was ashamed it took me even two times to pass. I can't even imagine having to take the a test 950 times. Can she not read or something?
There are certain things "Don't give up!" applies to, and driving certification shouldn't be it.
Failing the test any number of times shows you are clearly not capable of even making sense of basic road rules. How incompetent of the testing agency to not even realize this. I'm hoping Korea's practical test doesn't take people out on the road, or else she's going to kill somebody.
And being happy for passing on the limit? Please, for the sake of other drivers, don't drive.
On November 07 2009 09:46 Chuiu wrote: Hahaha, I remember the old thread about this. Now she has nothing to work towards, her life goals have been completed!
lol @ spending more than $4200 just for the written test. She's going to spent a lot more on the road test i believe. Some people are just not smart enough to know when to stop trying.
On November 07 2009 09:16 Ftrunkz wrote: Would love to see the math of the probability of her passing after that many tries simply guessing every single multiple choice question (assuming 4 different answers for each). TBH I would've thought she'd pass soon simply guessing... kinda unlucky imo.
On November 07 2009 09:26 NrG.NeverExpo wrote: I think god was trying to tell her something...After 700 it would seem pretty clear to me. Wouldn't be surprised or upset if she died in a car accident within 24 hours.
rofl, so true. Hope she doesnt but if she does then we know why.
reminds me of the guy who worked for the state of michigan when I worked there a few summers ago who failed the PE test for civil engineering 15 years in a row.
On November 07 2009 09:16 Ftrunkz wrote: Would love to see the math of the probability of her passing after that many tries simply guessing every single multiple choice question (assuming 4 different answers for each). TBH I would've thought she'd pass soon simply guessing... kinda unlucky imo.
On a test with 50 questions and 4 possible answers per question, the odds of getting 30 or more correct by guessing randomly are 1 in 6,089,075. So the odds of getting it within 950 tries by just guessing are about one in 6,410. So it would appear that she did actually learn something during the process. That, or she just got really, really lucky.
I'm getting 29 million as the expected # of tests she would have to take.
I think I would have read the handout if I failed it twice. Five times and I might start mixing questions into conversation. $100+ and I'd get a tutor. $1000+ and I would have thought more about how well this selling fruit out of my car thing was gonna make me money.
The things people do to get an unemployment check???
The written part isn't even that hard! Anyways, seeing how she did on the written test, theres no way she'll pass the driving part unless she has been doing it illegally.
On November 07 2009 09:16 Ftrunkz wrote: Would love to see the math of the probability of her passing after that many tries simply guessing every single multiple choice question (assuming 4 different answers for each). TBH I would've thought she'd pass soon simply guessing... kinda unlucky imo.
On a test with 50 questions and 4 possible answers per question, the odds of getting 30 or more correct by guessing randomly are 1 in 6,089,075. So the odds of getting it within 950 tries by just guessing are about one in 6,410. So it would appear that she did actually learn something during the process. That, or she just got really, really lucky.
On November 07 2009 12:11 Sadist wrote: reminds me of the guy who worked for the state of michigan when I worked there a few summers ago who failed the PE test for civil engineering 15 years in a row.
The record for failing the California bar exam is something like 40 times. Most states limit you to 3-4 fails before you're barred for life from taking the exam again, but California doesn't care.
On November 07 2009 09:52 Biochemist wrote: Re: Upper age limit.
Would NEVER pass here due to the extremely strong AARP lobby we have.
In any case, upper age limit would be unfair for the many millions of people who can drive quite competently beyond that age limit. My great grandfather drove until he was 100 years old and never had an accident. Should he be confined to his house for the last quarter of his life because some other old people can't drive?
Should some 15 year olds be punished because the majority of people that age can't drive? Yes. That's why regulations are in place...
They shouldn't have let her pass and continue milking the money out of her, they get to keep their source of revenu and the roads safer. Killing two birds with one stone!!
On November 07 2009 09:34 Altar wrote: If you're stupid enough to fail a test that many times you shouldn't be allowed to drive.
My thoughts exactly.
A written test has nothing to do with having the ability to drive. For all we know she just might be semi-illiterate or something.
Don't defend this woman. Someone who takes a test over 900 times knows how to read. It's whether or not they understand road rules or at least have common sense.
True, the written test isn't about driving skill, it's about basic road rules so that no one enters the same space at the same time. Failing this test that many times means it doesn't matter how good you are driving with a car, if all you're doing is driving in the middle of the lane, or going 90 because you don't know that 50 is the speed limit from the sign you just passed.
On November 07 2009 11:01 JohnColtrane wrote: i dont see how you could fail that many times =/
didnt she study a bit beforehand? for the driver's exams here in australia, most of them you know without studying at all anyway
My thoughts exactly.
There really should be a limit on these tests. Surely anybody who needs that many tests doesn't understand the theory (and probably has some other issues as well...) and will not be a competent driver.
EPT![[image loading]](http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46683000/jpg/_46683302_cha_ap226b.jpg)
Some people are just not smart enough to know when to stop trying.![[image loading]](http://i36.tinypic.com/33n8cad.jpg)
