The Internet server for the Test of English as a Foreign Language taken in Seoul and other cities failed Saturday, leading to mass cancellations and complaints from test-takers.

The applicants for the English-language test, which was scheduled to start at 11 a.m., had to wait an hour before being told about the malfunction.

They were belatedly informed of the malfunction, along with the test organizer’s plan to refund and reschedule it, at around noon.

The test-takers blame Educational Testing Services, a U.S.-based test developer, for the late notification and clumsy response to the incident.

Some have vented their anger online as a rumor spread that the test was restarted in some other regions.

The test was supposed to be conducted in eight major cities and other areas including Seoul, Incheon and Daegu.

Since the English test score is often required for admission to U.S. schools or getting a job, more than 120,000 people take it each year in Korea.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)