According to regulations on enrollment in 10th grade in Ho Chi Minh City in the 2026-2027 school year, each student is allowed to register a maximum of 3 aspirations for public high schools (excluding specialized and integrated schools). Admission consideration is carried out in priority order from aspiration 1 to aspiration 3.
This means that candidates with high scores, but if they register inappropriate aspirations, may still not be admitted. Reality in recent years shows that there are many cases of students achieving good scores but placing all 3 aspirations in schools with high benchmark scores, leading to total failing.
Conversely, there are students whose scores are not too outstanding but who know how to allocate their aspirations reasonably and can still be admitted to a suitable school.
Therefore, the most important principle when registering is to build a stratified aspiration strategy, with high aspirations, moderate aspirations and safe aspirations.
One of the most important bases for students to choose aspirations is the benchmark scores of schools in recent years.
Although the benchmark scores may fluctuate each year, in general, they still reflect relatively accurately the level of competition of each school. Referring to the score distribution and benchmark scores helps students estimate their chances of admission.
However, referring to benchmark scores needs to be accompanied by assessing personal abilities, avoiding the mentality of following the crowd.
In addition to benchmark score data, students need to realistically assess their learning ability. This is a key factor determining whether the choice of aspiration is appropriate or not.
In 2026, a noteworthy new point is that the regulations on distance when registering aspirations are tightened. This regulation aims to limit the situation of being admitted but not enrolling due to unreasonable travel distance.
In addition to scores, school selection also needs to be based on practical factors such as family conditions, learning environment and personal orientation...
A school with a high benchmark score is not necessarily a good choice if the distance traveled is too far or not suitable for the students' abilities and preferences.
Meanwhile, a suitable and convenient learning environment can help students maintain health, stabilize their psychology and achieve better results throughout 3 years of high school.
The entrance exam to 10th grade for the 2026-2027 school year in Ho Chi Minh City will take place on February 1-2. 6.
Candidates take 3 subjects: Math, Literature and English. In case candidates register for specialized and integrated classes, they will take additional subjects accordingly.
Ho Chi Minh City currently has more than 169,000 9th grade students studying at secondary schools, and it is expected that public high schools will enroll about 118,000 students, equivalent to about 70% of secondary school graduates.
Enrollment quotas for each school will be announced by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training in the next few days.
