Registering for the 2025 high school graduation exam: Social sciences dominate

TP - Although there is no final data on registration for the 2025 high school graduation exam, through surveys at a number of high schools, it can be seen that the balance of candidates' choices is still skewed towards social science subjects.

Students taking the 2024 high school graduation exam. Photo: Nhu Y

Difference

Yesterday (April 28) was the last day to register for the 2025 high school graduation exam for 12th graders and independent candidates nationwide. This year, there were over 1.1 million candidates taking the exam. Although the Ministry of Education and Training has not yet released final figures, it is generally noted that the two optional subjects of candidates are still inclined towards the social science combination exam. This year, 12th graders will take the high school graduation exam according to the 2018 general education program. Therefore, candidates are required to take the 2 subjects of Math and Literature and choose 2 subjects out of the remaining 10 subjects. Regarding the large difference between the group of students choosing social subjects and students choosing natural subjects, school leaders said that this is consistent with the graduation goals and future career choices of the students.

Surveying schools in Ba Vi, Ung Hoa, My Duc districts (Hanoi), the number of students choosing social subjects is much higher than the number of students choosing natural subjects, the ratio is 7-3. In which, the most chosen social subjects are economic education and law. For natural subjects, students choose Physics the most. In the northern mountainous provinces, the percentage of students choosing social science subjects is about 60%. This number is similar to previous years.

Natural science subjects are chosen by many inner-city schools in big cities/provinces. Ms. Nguyen Boi Quynh, Principal of Viet Duc High School, Hoan Kiem (Hanoi) said that this year, the school has 910 12th graders registered for the high school graduation exam. In addition to the 2 compulsory subjects, the number of students registered for the remaining subjects is as follows: Foreign Language 728; Physics 331; Chemistry 157; Biology 29; Information Technology 3; History 252; Geography 34; Economic and LegalEducation 212; no students registered for the Technology exam. Compared to the initial survey, some students changed their chosen subjects to suit their abilities and university admission requirements.

According to Ms. Nguyen Boi Quynh, the school's students register for elective subjects mainly to match the university entrance exam combination such as: A00 (Math, Physics, Chemistry), A01 (Math, Physics, English) and D01 (Math, Literature, English). Ms. Quynh informed that when they first entered grade 10, many students were still hesitant about natural science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Technology, Informatics, Biology). But after being consulted by the school, they boldly chose. During the learning process, if students find it difficult to study natural subjects, the school will create conditions for them to change the subject combination to suit their abilities and strengths. In addition, the school also encourages students to study basic science subjects, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology (because these subjects can be flexibly combined with many subject combinations, creating advantages for choosing a career later).

According to statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training in the 2024 high school graduation exam, the percentage of students choosing the social science exam was nearly double that of students choosing the natural science exam (63% - 37%). The percentage in 2023 is similar.

Add graduation exam review channel

Ms. Nguyen Boi Quynh also added that based on the registration rate for the exam, the school has arranged a team of teachers to teach and develop a review program for students. For subjects with a small number of students registering for the exam, the school has established review groups by topic to support students' review with the guidance of teachers. In addition, the school also builds review classes for students according to their personal wishes and strictly implements the policy of not charging fees in accordance with Circular 29 of the Ministry of Education and Training regulating extra teaching and learning.

In 2025, Hanoi will have about 126,000 candidates registered for the exam (an increase of about 15,000 candidates compared to 2024). The whole city plans to organize 250 exam sites (an increase of about 50 exam sites compared to 2024). According to statistics from the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, the results of the city's recent 12th grade survey in 2025 were lower than in 2024, of which nearly 32% of the exam papers were below average. Math had the highest percentage of below average exams at more than 51%.

Faced with that situation, the Hanoi Department of Education and many schools, vocational education and continuing education centers have urgently sought solutions to support students and enhance review to meet the requirements of the 2025 high school graduation exam. In order to support 12th grade students in reviewing for the 2025 high school graduation exam, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training coordinated with Hanoi Radio and Television to organize the recording of lectures for broadcast on television.

The lessons guiding 12th graders to review for the high school graduation exam have been broadcast since April and are expected to end on June 8, 2 weeks before the high school graduation exam. Students can review on television with 3 subjects: Literature, Math and English. The review lessons are broadcast from 9:00 p.m. to 9:40 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. Thus, in addition to regular school hours and direct review lessons at school, students have an additional channel to review at home in the evening.

NGHIEM HUE

Source: https://tienphong.vn/dang-ki-du-thi-tot-nghiep-thpt-nam-2025-mon-khoa-hoc-xa-hoi-chiem-uu-the-post1738086.tpo