The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has just issued regulations on secondary and high school enrollment.
Accordingly, provinces can choose to have entrance exams, admission to grade 10 or a combination. For the entrance exam, the exam includes Math, Literature and a third subject (or a combined exam).
The time for the Literature test is 120 minutes, the Math test is 90 minutes, the third subject is 60 or 90 minutes, the combined test is 90 or 120 minutes.
Also according to the circular, the third subject is selected by the Department of Education and Training from subjects assessed by scores, including: Foreign Language 1, Civic Education, Natural Sciences, History and Geography, Technology, and Information Technology. However, provinces and cities cannot choose a third subject for more than three consecutive years.
The time to announce the exam subjects is after the end of the first semester but no later than March 31 every year, in order to achieve the goal of comprehensive education, avoiding rote learning and biased learning. 2025 is the first year that the 10th grade exam is organized according to the new general education program. Compared to the old program, many subjects are taught integratedly such as History - Geography and Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology).
Therefore, the orientation of the exam questions, content and number of subjects are of interest to parents and candidates.
Since late September, the Ministry of Education and Training has been collecting teachers' opinions on the 10th grade exam plan. Initially, the Ministry proposed drawing lots for the third subject, but later changed this detail when announcing the draft in mid-October.
On forums, many parents agree with the three-subject exam plan and believe that the exam plan should be announced early so that students can review. In addition, many opinions also suggest that the third subject should be English, in the context of making this subject the second language in schools.
On the side of the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry said that the new regulations are built on three core principles. First, it is not to put pressure or cost on parents, students and society. Second, it is to promote comprehensive education, initially preparing students with qualities and abilities to have conditions to study at a higher level or in a career orientation. Third, it is to ensure the implementation of state management functions at the macro level, and to build unified regulations nationwide.
Pham Thu Quynh - a 9th grade student in Hanoi supports the 3-subject exam for 10th grade. However, the female student believes that for students studying the 2018 General Education Program, the sudden change puts a lot of pressure on them during their studies and exam preparation.
"I hope there will be gradual changes so that students can adapt and prepare in advance," the female student shared.
