The fairness of an exam is restored
On the morning of August 19, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) announced the results and score distribution of the 2nd high school graduation exam at the Tuyen Quang Specialized High School exam site.
Giving an assessment of the results of the 2nd exam at the Tuyen Quang Specialized High School exam site, Dr. Pham Ngoc Duy, New Meridian Testing Organization, USA, said that the results of the 2nd high school graduation exam in 2026 of the group of candidates taking the exam at the Tuyen Quang Specialized High School exam site are reasonable compared to the expectations of people working in the field of testing.
Mr. Duy gave two grounds to explain this opinion.
First, for subjects with a sufficiently large number of candidates such as Math, Literature, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, English, the basic statistical parameters of the second exam score data including the average value and standard deviation, are assessed by him as reasonable. The average score reflects the central value of the data. Meanwhile, the standard deviation reflects the dispersion from the average value of the data. When the exam score accurately reflects the candidate's ability, the higher the average score, the higher the candidate's ability. The higher the standard deviation, the more points are dispersed far from the average value.
Distribution of scores for the 2nd high school graduation exam at Tuyen Quang Specialized School
Second, Mr. Duy noted a correlation between exam results and students' specialized subjects. For example, candidates in specialized Math classes have a significantly higher average score in Math compared to candidates from other specialized classes or independent candidates.
Similarly, specialized English students have a higher average score in English than students from other specialized classes.
This clear correlation is a testament to the fact that the exam scores of subjects tend to accurately reflect the ability of candidates in that subject" - Mr. Duy stated.
Overall assessment, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc - Vietnam National University, Hanoi said that this result has more accurately assessed the capacity of candidates and ensured the highest criterion of an exam is fairness. Through this, social trust is strengthened. At the same time, the incident also left very profound lessons about the management and organization of the exam.
To make an exam successful, according to Mr. Duc, it is necessary to ensure good results in all four stages: Exam questions, invigilation, grading and admission. The second lesson is about management and organization at exam sites in localities.
This is not only a lesson for the exam site of Tuyen Quang Specialized High School but also a lesson for all exam sites, exam supervision and exam organization nationwide" - Mr. Duc said.
Do not focus too much on comparing each score
Dr. Hoang Ngoc Vinh - Former Director of the Department of Professional Education - Ministry of Education and Training said that at this time, it is not advisable to focus too much on comparing each score with the previous exam and then infer from those differences. The two exams took place in different conditions, and the case related to the previous exam is still being investigated by functional agencies.
The most important thing now is to ensure the rights of candidates and help them return to normal posture soon after an exam that has already been under too much pressure. Every careless comparison can inadvertently create more suspicion, even causing unrelated candidates to have to endure unnecessary looks.
What needs to be clarified, let the investigating agency conclude with evidence. As for all students, the re-exam results should first be seen as a basis for them to continue their studies" - Dr. Hoang Ngoc Vinh assessed.
Agreeing with this view, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc said that another important requirement is to strictly handle violations. With the commitment of the Ministry of Education and Training, after having the official conclusion of the functional agency, those who have violations will be handled according to the provisions of law.
