The purpose of this study was to explore in depth the essence and meaning of parenting stress experienced by mothers of college entrance examinees. To achieve this, a phenomenological approach within qualitative research was applied. Seven participants were selected, and semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted. The collected data were analyzed according to Giorgi’s phenomenological analysis procedures. As a result, 126 meaning units were derived and ultimately structured into five components and twenty subcomponents. Based on these findings, the essence of parenting stress experienced by mothers of college entrance examinees was defined as “holistic exhaustion resulting from internal and external coercion.” The conclusions are as follows. First, parenting stress experienced by mothers of college entrance examinees emerges within the college entrance examination system, in which a credential-oriented social structure functions as a fundamental factor, and appears in the process of mothers performing socially imposed roles. Second, this parenting stress arises from self-imposed pressure through conformity to social structures and the internalization of maternal norms, which subsequently shape mothers’ patterns of thought and behavior. Third, parenting stress experienced by these mothers constrains higher-level needs and generates instability throughout the entire hierarchy of needs. Fourth, parenting stress forms a cyclical structure that mutually reinforces holistic exhaustion. By describing and interpreting the participants’ statements from structural and integrated perspectives, this study develops a multidimensional discussion of the parenting stress experienced by mothers of college entrance examinees and presents implications.