TP - From mock exams to the actual exams, the continuous nature of these tests in a short period has created immense pressure on students preparing for the 10th grade entrance exams in 2025. This situation is unlikely to end anytime soon.
TP - From mock exams to the actual exams, the continuous nature of these tests in a short period has created immense pressure on students preparing for the 10th grade entrance exams in 2025. This situation is unlikely to end anytime soon.
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| Hanoi students take the entrance exam for 10th grade in the 2024-2025 school year. Photo: NHU Y |
Practice tests with real money
The Foreign Language Specialized High School, affiliated with the University of Foreign Languages (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), is organizing two mock entrance exams this year, with a fee of 600,000 VND per exam, covering four subjects: Mathematics, Literature, English, and a specialized subject. This year, the Pedagogical Specialized High School (Hanoi Pedagogical University) is organizing three mock entrance exams for 10th grade in March, April, and May. The first exam took place on March 9th, covering three subjects: Mathematics, Literature, and a specialized subject. Luong The Vinh Secondary and High School (Cau Giay campus) has already organized two mock entrance exams for 10th grade (January and early March) for its students. Participants include 9th-grade students from the school and 9th-grade students throughout Hanoi.
Mr. Nguyen Cong Thanh from Cau Giay, Hanoi, said he has paid the fee for his child to take the mock entrance exam for the Hanoi University of Education's High School for Gifted Students. This year, in addition to the Hanoi University of Education's High School for Gifted Students, his child is also taking exams for the High School for Gifted Students in Natural Sciences , the University of Natural Sciences (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), and Chu Van An High School for Gifted Students (Hanoi Department of Education and Training). With three specialized high schools and three different exam formats, Mr. Thanh has planned for his child to prepare for the exams in class since grade 6 (taught by teachers specializing in preparing students for each school).
Mr. Thanh and his son's biggest wish is for his son to get into the Hanoi University of Education's High School for Gifted Students, which is close to home. Besides taking mock exams at the specialized high school, Mr. Thanh also had his son take mock exams organized by Luong The Vinh Secondary and High School. Having closely followed his son's progress, Mr. Thanh realized the immense pressure, but because exams are unpredictable, he had to have a backup plan. If his son doesn't get into one of the three specialized high schools, Mr. Thanh plans to enroll him in a high-quality private school (because there's less class pressure and better service than public high schools). Thus, between now and June, Mr. Thanh's son will participate in five exams (including two mock exams and three actual exams).
It's no coincidence that specialized high schools affiliated with universities in Hanoi organize mock exams. Assuming a student participates in two mock exams, along with one actual exam, the total cost for admission to the Foreign Language Specialized High School is 1,800,000 VND. Similarly, for the Hanoi University of Education Specialized High School, a student would have to pay 2,400,000 VND in fees. In 2024, the Hanoi University of Education Specialized High School had 5,400 candidates, while the Foreign Language Specialized High School had nearly 3,300 registered candidates. These numbers, in the thousands, highlight the economic value that an exam can bring.
Speaking with reporters, Dr. Nguyen Phu Chien, Principal of the Foreign Language Specialized High School, said that the purpose of the mock exams is to help students practice and familiarize themselves with the structure and format of the entrance exam for 10th grade at the Foreign Language Specialized High School, helping students self-assess their knowledge and skills and make appropriate adjustments in the preparation process for the 10th grade entrance exam. Dr. Chien shared that specialized schools affiliated with universities have different exam structures and formats compared to those organized by the Hanoi Department of Education and Training. In reality, candidates taking the exam (the Department's exam) have participated in multiple mock exams organized by junior high schools and district/county/township education departments (in some years, the Department of Education and Training).
In the 2025-2026 school year, Hanoi will have over 127,000 students graduating from grade 9. Of these, approximately 60% are expected to have the opportunity to study at public high schools. This means that around 48,000 students will seek opportunities in private schools, continuing education centers, and vocational schools.
The deposit fee is up to 30 million VND.
According to the plan approved by the Hanoi People's Committee regarding enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year, private high schools in the city will apply an admissions process based on selection criteria to enroll students in grade 10. Currently, many private schools have specific plans. To retain students and avoid disrupting enrollment plans, these schools are offering "deposit" fees to reserve places under various names.
Dwight School Hanoi announces the following enrollment fees: Registration fee of VND 9,000,000 per student; enrollment fee of VND 28,800,000 per student, payable in one lump sum, non-refundable and non-transferable, to be paid within 7 days of receiving the admission letter, along with a tuition deposit for new students. For new students enrolling in the 2025-2026 academic year, a deposit of VND 30,000,000 is required, non-refundable and non-transferable, and will be deducted directly from the tuition fee. In addition, parents are required to pay a security fee of VND 45,000,000. This security fee will be refunded upon graduation or withdrawal from the school.
Hoang Mai Star School charges an enrollment fee of 24,000,000 VND per student, which is non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances. In 2025, Archimedes School (Dong Anh) announced an enrollment fee of 23,000,000 VND for 10th grade. Parents will not be able to refund or transfer this amount under any circumstances. Many other private schools also charge enrollment/registration/reservation fees ranging from 2 million VND to 25 million VND.
The practice of collecting deposits to reserve places in private schools has been a subject of controversy for many years. In March 2024, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training instructed schools not to collect deposits or reservation fees for enrollment in the first grades of the 2024-2025 school year. According to the Hanoi Department of Education and Training leadership, the practice of private schools collecting deposits is inhumane and undermines the exemplary nature of the school system. While schools explain that this fee is intended to ensure stability and prevent parents from submitting and withdrawing applications, causing disruption, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training disagrees. Although this is a civil agreement between parents and the school, from an educational perspective, it is inappropriate.
Source: https://tienphong.vn/tuyen-sinh-lop-10-ap-luc-thi-thu-giu-cho-post1724183.tpo
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