The 10th grade entrance exam for the 2026-2027 school year in Ho Chi Minh City is approaching, but up to this point, many students and parents are still waiting for the official targets of each high school to determine appropriate aspirations.
In the context of the sharp increase in the number of 9th grade students, the announcement of targets is considered a key factor, directly impacting the school selection strategy.
Minh Anh, a 9th grade student in Binh Dong ward, said she is quite worried about the exam.
I plan to register for nguyện vọng 1 at Marie Curie High School or Ten Lo Man High School. I will wait and see if the enrollment quotas of these 2 schools will fluctuate, then consider which school to register for," Minh Anh said.
According to Minh Anh, if the quota increases or decreases, it will affect the benchmark score, because if the quota is small and you register for admission, it will not be safe.
Meanwhile, Hoang Quoc Bao, a 9th grade student in Ben Thanh ward, said that he and many friends are constantly adjusting their review plans according to information about targets.
I intend to register for Tran Dai Nghia Secondary and High School, although the school plans to increase quotas, this is a top school, so I am considering it. If the school increases many quotas, the opportunity will be higher," Quoc Bao said.
Not only students, parents are also under no less pressure. Ms. Hong Nhung, a parent with a child in 9th grade in Ben Thanh ward, said that her family is considering very carefully between their wishes.
Just a difference of a few dozen quotas can significantly change the benchmark score. Without official data, it is very difficult for us to orient our children to choose a suitable school. However, I will orient my children to choose a school near home," Ms. Nhung shared.
According to records, some schools have announced expected targets, in which many schools in the "top" group tend to increase enrollment scale.
For example, Tran Dai Nghia Secondary and High School is expected to enroll 420 quotas for 7 regular classes and 3 integrated classes, an increase of 135 students. This is the school with the highest benchmark score in 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City (region 1).
In addition, 2 schools in the top 10 last year, Tran Phu High School and Nguyen Huu Huan High School, are also expected to increase 10th grade enrollment quotas. In which, the total enrollment quotas are 900 and 700 students respectively. Correspondingly, an increase of 90 and 45 students.
Some other high schools are expected to increase targets such as: Marie Curie High School, an increase of 200 students; Suong Nguyet Anh Secondary and High School, an increase of 180 students...
According to a report on the current situation of the school network in Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Education and Training said that the city currently has more than 169,000 secondary school students, an increase of nearly 43,000 students compared to last year.
The Department sets a target of nearly 118,400 students entering 10th grade public schools, with a passing rate of 70%. The remaining nearly 51,000 students can enter private high schools, intermediate schools or continuing education systems.
The entrance exam to 10th grade in 2026 is expected to be held on two days, June 1st and 2nd.
Candidates registering for public 10th grade will take three compulsory subjects including: Literature, Mathematics and Foreign Language (mainly English). Students registering for specialized or integrated classes will take additional specialized or integrated subjects corresponding to their registered aspirations.
