Three new types of questions in the 2025 high school graduation exam English illustration test

The 2025 English sample test has three new types of questions, focusing on practical vocabulary/grammar knowledge and writing skills, according to two researchers.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Chi and PhD student Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, University of Foreign Languages, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, presented this information at the workshop "Teaching and learning to develop comprehensive capacity for students according to the 2018 general education program", on March 31.

"The innovation in the exam format in 2025 partly aims at the goal of learners using English in both studying and communicating, comprehensively developing all four skills," said Ms. Thao.

Based on the analysis of the illustrative questions, the research team found three new types of questions. Specifically:

In terms of knowledge , in addition to the traditional form of filling in paragraphs, the 2025 sample exam adds a form of filling in practical texts such as announcements and advertisements. The number of questions also increases.

In terms of skills , the 2025 sample exam focuses more on writing skills. In the exams from 2024 and earlier, candidates were asked to write indirect sentences through the form of choosing sentences with equivalent meanings or combining sentences. In the 2025 exam, candidates are assessed through two new forms: arranging sentences into paragraphs and filling in sentences/clauses in the text.

Fill-in-the-blank type of notices and advertisements in the 2025 high school graduation foreign language exam illustration. Photo: Binh Minh

For the fill-in-the-blank type of announcement/advertisement, the research team took a question from the sample question: The school's Youth Union announces a year-end party, requiring all students to be present at 7:00 p.m. on May 29. Each class prepares a performance of no more than 5 minutes for the talent show. Each class nominates one student to participate in the "King and Queen of the Night" event.

This is a type of text closely related to communication practice. (end of year school party). Vocabulary/grammar is tested in context-specific discourse (announcement).

The type of exercise in which you arrange sentences to form a meaningful paragraph or letter, as illustrated in question 16 in the sample question. The question gives 4 sentences, talking about the benefits that students get when participating in volunteer activities. Candidates rely on conjunctions such as Firstly, Finally... to arrange the sentences in order, to form a correct paragraph.

According to Ms. Chi, this form focuses on the ability to form text to convey a complete message; has a specific text format (letter or paragraph), requiring coherence and unity.

Arrange sentences to form a meaningful paragraph or letter in the 2025 illustration topic. Photo: Binh Minh

The third type requires filling in sentences or clauses in a text. In this type, candidates need to demonstrate their ability to identify unity and connection in a text.
to create a complete idea.

For example, the question gives a text about the benefits of music to life. The passage leaves blank sentences or clauses, requiring candidates to choose the given options to complete them.

According to Dr. Chi, schools can grasp the above changes to have a direction for students to review, but should still maintain forms such as presentations, drama, debates, discussions, writing articles... in regular tests and assessments. This will help students develop their communication and language skills, and prepare them for some of the schools' own assessment tests.

"Schools need to diversify and be flexible in their assessment methods, aiming for innovative types of tests, and should not just stop at helping students take exams," said Ms. Chi.

Teachers also need to prepare teaching activities that closely follow the 2018 general education program, taking advantage of available materials to help students get familiar with new types of lessons.

Dr. Chi reports at the workshop, March 31, in Hanoi. Photo: ULIS

2025 is the year when the first batch of students under the new general education program will take the graduation exam. This exam includes two compulsory subjects: Math and Literature. In addition, candidates can choose two subjects from the remaining subjects in the general education program, including: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Literature, Geography, History, Economic and Legal Education, Information Technology, Technology and Foreign Languages ​​(7 languages: English, German, Russian, Japanese, French, Chinese, Korean).

Compared to before, the number of subjects has decreased, Foreign Language has become an optional subject. The time for this subject's exam has decreased from 60 minutes to 50 minutes, the number of questions has decreased from 50 to 40, instead of 50 as at present.

Dawn

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