Collecting opinions on the Literature and Mathematics exams for 10th grade
From 2025, the 10th grade entrance exam takes place with two compulsory subjects, Literature and Mathematics, along with the third subject, selected from the subjects. Most localities have chosen Foreign Language (English) as the third exam subject in the past two exams. After two years of implementation, the Ministry of Education and Training recently consulted Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hai Phong on the option of using only 2 subjects, Literature and Mathematics, if taking the entrance exam instead of current regulations.
Teacher Nguyen Van Luc - former teacher of Trinh Phong Secondary School (Khanh Hoa) - shared that he also went through the entrance exam to 10th grade high school in the 1980s. At that time, all students after finishing 9th grade were issued Certificates of completion of the secondary school program and then participated in the 10th grade entrance exam with two subjects: Literature and Mathematics.
At that time, we did not have the pressure of competition, extra classes, and exam preparation to overcome the "universe" to enter 10th grade like now" - teacher Luc recalled.
Currently, according to Mr. Luc, the 10th grade entrance exam in many localities is considered more stressful than university entrance exams due to many reasons such as: Facilities and schools do not meet the learning needs of students and parents; Public school psychology; student stratification after secondary school is not as effective as expected,...
From the above reasons, teacher Luc agreed with the proposal to remove the 3rd exam subject in the 10th grade entrance exam.
Math and Literature are 2 core subjects. Taking 2 subjects will also create synchronization in 10th grade enrollment nationwide, eliminating the confusion that each locality chooses a different third subject, and the timing of announcing the third subject" - Mr. Luc analyzed.
Will removing the 3rd exam subject reduce pressure?
Mr. Dinh Duc Hien - CEO of FPT Bac Giang Primary, Secondary, and High School - said that the biggest pressure of the 10th grade entrance exam does not lie in taking 2 or 3 subjects, but in the level of competition between the number of people who want to enter and the number of places to study.
If the number of competing students remains the same, reducing one subject mainly reduces the review volume, but it is not certain to reduce competitive pressure. Even when there are only Math and Literature, the value of each 0.25 point in these two subjects will increase. The need for extra classes may not decrease but only shift more strongly to Math and Literature.
To reduce exam pressure, it is necessary to find the right sources of pressure, not just reduce the number of exam subjects" - teacher Hien said.
According to teacher Hien, the 2018 program designs secondary school as a basic education stage, while high school is increasingly increasing choice and career orientation. But if 15-year-olds want to choose correctly, first of all, they must be taught broadly enough to know where they are strong, what they like and what field they are suitable for.
If from grades 8 and 9, the subjects of Natural Sciences, Foreign Languages, Informatics, Technology, and Social Sciences are gradually considered "no exams", it is very difficult to expect students to still invest and explore their abilities in a full way.
Teacher Hien also raised the issue that science, technology, innovation and digital transformation are being identified as strategic driving forces. Human resources for AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, robotics or digital technology not only start from university but are formed from students' curiosity and interest in science right from secondary school.
Mathematics is very important, but STEM is not just about Mathematics. If the final exam of secondary school mainly focuses on Mathematics and Literature, while other subjects have little impact on enrollment opportunities, it may create a discrepancy between the direction of science and technology development and the message that the exam sends to students.
From the above analysis, teacher Hien leans towards the 10th grade exam option with Math, Literature and a comprehensive foundation assessment at a reasonable level. The important point is that the third exam should not become a "multi-subject exam". Because if the exam includes a little Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, English, Informatics with separate knowledge requirements, parents may have to have their children study each subject extra. At that time, the exam to limit skewed learning may create "extensive extra learning".
Teacher Hien said that the foundation assessment should avoid checking in-depth knowledge of each subject, not be tricky, not create advantages for exam tips; instead focus on reading and understanding data, reasoning, solving problems and familiar scientific, social, foreign language, and technological situations.
Knowledge should only be at the basic level, studying the correct program in class can be done. The best way to prepare for the exam must be to study real, study evenly throughout the middle school years, instead of running to practice each subject separately in the last months" - teacher Hien suggested.
