In recent years, the public entrance exam for grade 10 is becoming more stressful, especially in big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City because students only have the opportunity once, if they are not admitted, students have to study at continuing education centers - vocational education, vocational schools or private schools.
This forces each student to prepare to accumulate knowledge early. Huynh Thanh Ngoc, a 9th grade student in Tan Thoi Hiep ward, said that he has been attending 3 extra classes in Math, Literature and English since the beginning of the summer of grade 8. The female student set a goal of being admitted as a first-time student to Vo Truong Toan High School.
"After the summer vacation, I returned to my hometown to play with my grandparents for 2 weeks, then returned to the city and started taking extra classes until now," Thanh Ngoc shared. Thanh Ngoc studies 5 extra sessions a week. In which, Math and English are studied in 2 sessions each subject.
Nguyen Nhu Quynh, a 9th grade student in Tan Dong Hiep ward (formerly an area of Binh Duong province) said that she felt worried and somewhat nervous. "This is the first year after the merger, I was worried that the exam would be more difficult. My brother is studying at a private school, the cost is quite high, so I'm worried, if I don't pass the entrance exam, I will also study at a private school, my parents will have a hard time", Nhu Quynh shared.
The female student said that in addition to her classes at school, she is studying all 3 subjects of Math, Literature and English with 3 sessions per week, expected to increase the number of classes from the second semester.
Previously, the Department of Education and Training (DET) of Ho Chi Minh City announced the structure and sample exam questions for 3 subjects: Math, Literature and English.
According to the Department of Education and Training, the exam will be built in the direction of capacity assessment, enhancing practical application, requiring candidates not only to remember knowledge but also to know how to analyze and solve problems.
Regarding Literature, the Department of Education and Training said that the requirements for students to achieve reading comprehension and writing in the 2018 General Education Program - Literature at the secondary level, mainly grades 8 and 9.
Mathematics, evaluate students to know how to apply the knowledge they have learned, solve practical problems. Encourage self-study and creativity, avoid rote learning and self-study.
In English, language proficiency assessment is not only based on students' knowledge of grammar and words. Requires to assess the ability to understand and apply language knowledge in appropriate context, especially in real-life situations.
According to the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, the English subject will have 2 new questions on writing appropriate phrases according to the given information, to test the ability to read quotations in the dictionary to find language information and apply knowledge.
At Nguyen Du Secondary School (Ben Thanh Ward), Mr. Cao Duc Khoa - Principal said that the review for grade 9 students will take place around May-May 2026.
"For a long time, we have often asked teachers of subjects (Math, Literature, English) to teach as much knowledge as possible, to teach and review so that students can grasp the knowledge. The time near the exam only strengthens students' knowledge," said Mr. Khoa.
