Ready to enter the important exam
Nguyen Minh Anh, a 12th grade student (Ben Thanh ward, Ho Chi Minh City), said that she had finished reviewing a few days before. "Currently, I mainly review important formulas, common mistakes and prepare exam papers. I try to sleep early, maintain my health to have the best spirit when doing the test" - Minh Anh shared.
According to many students, the biggest pressure at this time is no longer learning new knowledge but keeping calm in the exam room. After many months of studying, they all want to best develop their abilities during the exam days.
Mr. Huynh Thanh Phu - Principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School (Ben Thanh ward) - reminded students to prioritize maintaining health, maintaining a comfortable and confident mentality before entering the exam.
“By this stage, the basic knowledge baggage has been prepared. Students should spend time relaxing, getting enough sleep, eating regularly, exercising lightly and preparing enough papers and necessary tools for the exam. A comfortable spirit and good health will help them best develop their abilities during the exam days” - Mr. Phu advised.
2026 is the second year that the high school graduation exam is organized according to the 2018 General Education Program. Candidates take 4 subjects including: Math, Literature and 2 elective subjects out of the subjects studied in grade 12.
Although universities currently use many admission methods such as transcript review, aptitude assessment, international certificate review or separate exams, the results of the high school graduation exam are still of great significance.
Standardizing the exam question bank, ensuring objectivity
Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Chuong - Director of the Department of Quality Management, Ministry of Education and Training - informed that the Prime Minister has directed the development of exam questions that ensure quality, with differentiation suitable to the purpose of the exam, which is a very important requirement for current testing work.
According to Mr. Chuong, the high school graduation exam questions must simultaneously meet 2 requirements: Considering graduation recognition for general education students nationwide; basis for higher education institutions to widely use in enrollment.
In that spirit, the Ministry of Education and Training continues to build exam questions in the direction of closely following the 2018 General Education Program, ensuring that there are questions at a suitable level for graduation consideration, and at the same time strengthening differentiated questions to support universities and colleges in using exam results in admissions.
In the process of building exam questions, the Ministry of Education and Training pays special attention to the testing stage, analyzing test data and completing a standardized question bank to ensure the reliability, differentiation and stability of exam questions over the years.
"The goal is to ensure that the exam results accurately reflect students' abilities, ensure fairness, objectivity and meet the requirements of both general education and university admissions" - Mr. Chuong said.
Ensuring safety, fairness and quality is a consistent goal.
In working sessions with localities on the preparation for the 2026 high school graduation exam, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son repeatedly emphasized that the overarching goal of the exam is to ensure safety, fairness and quality.
According to the Minister, in recent years, the exam has been organized more and more streamlined, reducing pressure and costs for society, while creating the most favorable conditions for candidates. That success is thanks to the close coordination between ministries, sectors, localities and the close direction of the Government.
The Minister assessed that this year is the first year of implementing the two-level local government model, besides the initial difficulties, the new model also creates many advantages when the grassroots government is closer to schools and students. Many localities have creative ways of doing things such as organizing inter-communal support groups, contributing to improving the effectiveness of coordination in the organization of the exam.
The Minister requested localities to proactively equip appropriate technical equipment to detect and prevent fraudulent acts with high-tech equipment. However, the most important factor is still to raise awareness of responsibility and provide technical training to invigilators. Localities need to closely coordinate with the police force to guide the use of equipment, identify fraudulent methods and develop effective handling plans.
The Minister noted that when incidents occur, handling must ensure the legitimate rights of candidates, comply with regulations, implement promptly, calmly and with unity in the Steering Committee. The Steering Committees for exams in localities maintain regular connection with the National Steering Committee, promptly report arising issues or exceeding their authority to be guided on appropriate handling.
The highest goal is to organize the 2026 high school graduation exam safely, seriously, in accordance with regulations, fairly, with quality and without any violations occurring" - the Minister emphasized. Chan Phuc
Reviewing areas at risk of natural disaster impact
Mr. Ha Trung Chien - Standing Vice Chairman of Son La Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Provincial Exam Steering Committee - informed that in 2026 Son La has more than 14,000 registered candidates, an increase of about 7% compared to the previous year.
To prepare for the high school graduation exam, the locality has proactively prepared solutions to prevent and combat fraud using high-tech equipment according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Education and Training. In addition, plans to respond to storms, floods, and landslides are also developed in detail. Son La has reviewed areas at risk of natural disasters to promptly support candidates when necessary.
Regarding difficulties, Mr. Ha Trung Chien said that this year is the first year of implementing the two-level local government model. Among the 75 communes and wards of the province, there are 28 units with exam sites, while the force serving the Exam and students is distributed throughout the area. This requires close coordination between communes and wards in mobilizing police, medical forces, youth union members and other support forces. However, the province has clearly assigned the responsibilities of each unit to preside over and coordinate, so this difficulty is assessed as not significantly affecting the organization of the exam.
24/24 camera monitoring of the area storing exam papers and exam papers
This year, Ho Chi Minh City continues to be one of the largest exam councils in the country with nearly 143,000 registered candidates, including more than 8,000 independent candidates. The city arranges 246 exam sites with more than 6,000 exam rooms to serve the organization of the exam.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu - Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training - said that the city has organized professional training for more than 25,000 officials, civil servants, public employees and teachers participating in the exam work. All personnel are thoroughly grasped of the regulations, exam rules and assigned tasks to ensure the exam takes place safely and seriously.
The City Exam Steering Committee especially focuses on coordinating with the Ho Chi Minh City Police in ensuring security at exam sites. Security forces are fully trained, and the city proactively implements solutions to prevent fraudulent acts using high-tech equipment.
Regarding the security of exam papers, transportation and preservation of exam papers, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training said that all stages are strictly implemented according to regulations. The area for storing exam papers and exam papers is continuously monitored by a 24/24 hour camera system.
Solutions for grading to avoid "loose - tight
In this year's high school graduation exam, Literature is the only essay subject in the exam. Mr. Huynh Van Chuong said that the Ministry has set out 3 solutions to avoid "loose - tight" marking. First, the exam questions must ensure better differentiation. Second, the marking direction must be more complete and clear so that marking is convenient and uniform between localities. Third, it is prioritized to raise the responsibility of the marking council and marking teachers.
We also have a meeting with 34 directors of Departments of Education and Training to continue discussing more detailed solutions in the essay marking stage to ensure fair marking between all localities. This is the responsibility of the entire question-setting council, guiding marking to each teacher mobilized to participate in marking" - Mr. Chuong informed.
The Ministry of Education and Training also stipulates that essay exam grading councils must conduct trial grading and announce trial grading results. Then conduct common grading to draw experience before official grading. In addition, it is also necessary to implement regulations on random grading to ensure that the literature exam grading is in accordance with regulations and guidelines. Van Trang - Chan Phuc
