Pressure of innovation
In 2025, students studying the 2018 General Education Program will take the 10th grade entrance exam. To match the new program, the exam has many changes, including the number of subjects, exam structure, knowledge content, and exam regulations. The exam opens up many opportunities for innovation but also brings many worries to both parents and students.
Seeing her child reviewing her exam regularly until 1 am, Ms. Nguyen Phuong Thao - parent of a student in class 9A3, Tran Duy Hung Secondary School (Cau Giay District, Hanoi) - could not help but worry about this year's exam. "In the surveys, I found my children under a lot of pressure, there were many times when they sat at a desk until midnight, and only stopped at 1 am. At those times, I just sat next to my child to have someone to study with, confiding in the difficulties" - Ms. Phuong Thao shared.
What makes Ms. Phuong Thao worried is that the benchmark scores of schools in region 3 are quite high, with an entrance fee of over 8 points/subject. Currently, she and her child have only been able to choose Khuong Dinh High School (Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi) in accordance with the survey results. Ms. Thao said that the exam questions according to the new program require high thinking, causing students to confusion when preparing the exam questions. Literature is also difficult because the language is outside of textbooks.
Worried about the upcoming 10 exam, Ly Huyen Anh - a student of class 9A5, Tran Duy Hung Secondary School - has chosen all 3 wishes to ensure her admission ability. Tan Lap High School (Dan Phuong District, Hanoi) with a benchmark score of nearly 7 points/subject, became the 3rd wish of female students.
"In the surveys, I achieved 7 - 8 points per subject. This score is still not guaranteed for him to pass his wish to 1st Quang Trung High School. This year, there is a change in the way of multiplying coefficients, English will take up the same proportion, so I am also pressured because I am not confident in this subject" - Huyen Anh confided.
During the rush period, the female student is spending 2 hours a day studying English herself. In addition to learning new words in the reading comprehension test, Huyen Anh also practiced listening to improve pronunciation and emphasis - sentences that easily lose points.
Schools and families become pillars
Understanding the concerns of students, Ms. Mai Thi Nhung - homeroom teacher of class 9A5, Tran Duy Hung Secondary School - organized many review orientation sessions for students and discussed with parents about their learning situation.
Directly teaching Literature, Ms. Nhung has exploited the knowledge of all 3 sets of books "Creative footwear", "Date Wings" and "Connecting knowledge" to create background knowledge for students. In practical lessons, she relies on illustrative questions and appropriate language materials to practice for students how to think, solve problems themselves and draw experiences.
Ms. Nhung shared: The 10th grade entrance exam in Hanoi always comes with pressure. To relieve stress for students, the school, teachers and parents actively organize cultural, sports and extracurricular activities to help them have moments of rest and energy.
In addition to the school's support, Mr. Luu Van Thong - Principal of Cau Giay Secondary School - said that the connection between parents and students during this time is extremely necessary.
Each student has their own difficulties, in different subjects. Parents can confide while walking with their children. Avoid cases of accidentally comparing test results. Such statements at this time can make children worried and lose their spirit" - Mr. Thong shared.
Mr. Thong believes that in registering wishes, parents should play an orientational role. Three basic factors need to be considered: Students' academic performance, preferences and advice from teachers; along with priority factors such as distance, financial capacity to choose the right school.
He also advised parents to prepare backup plans such as private schools and vocational schools to reduce pressure if students are not admitted, but should not predict in advance to avoid affecting their spirit and determination.
