The 10th grade literature exam in Da Nang closely reflects real-life situations; candidates say it's "easier to handle".

Over 42,000 students in Da Nang city completed the Literature exam for 10th grade. Many students assessed the exam as being of moderate difficulty, closely reflecting reality, and providing an opportunity for students to express their personal opinions.

Excited to leave the exam room.

This morning, May 23rd, over 42,000 candidates in Da Nang city completed the first subject of the entrance exam for 10th grade in public high schools for the 2026-2027 school year. Many candidates assessed the Literature exam as closely following the curriculum, having a differentiating factor, and emphasizing the ability to apply knowledge and relate it to real-life situations.

Candidates at the Phan Chau Trinh High School examination center leave the examination room after completing the Literature exam on the morning of May 23.

PHOTO: CAM THAO

According to observations by Thanh Niên reporters at the exam site at Phan Châu Trinh High School (Hai Châu ward), immediately after the exam time ended, many students took the opportunity to exchange answers with their friends.

Mai Van Vo, a student from Le Do Secondary School, said he was quite surprised that this year's exam was "easier" than he had predicted.

"Personally, I found this year's literature exam quite manageable for students. The reading comprehension section was easy to grasp, and the questions were clear, so we weren't confused while taking the test," Vo shared.

Candidates assessed this year's literature exam as closely following the curriculum and having a high degree of practical relevance.

PHOTO: CAM THAO

The reading comprehension section used material from the work " The Pearl of the Orient " . Many candidates commented that the text had interesting content, and although it contained unexpected elements, it was still easy to understand, facilitating the test-taking process.

"This year's exam had a rather unexpected detail in the literary analysis section. Initially, the content mainly focused on clams, but at the end, it linked to soldiers, so I had to think more to develop my essay," said Hung Quoc Bao, a student from Le Do Secondary School.

Hung Quoc Bao, a student from Le Do Secondary School, smiled with relief after completing the first exam.

PHOTO: MY HIEU

According to the candidates, the exam questions were not overly difficult but still ensured differentiation, especially in the social commentary section discussing how young people assert themselves in today's life.

"This is the most stressful part for me because the topic is quite open-ended, with many possible approaches to analysis, so I have to spend time thinking and developing ideas. However, if students have the right writing skills, they can still do well," said Mai Van Vo.

Not only Vo, but many other candidates also commented that this year's exam questions tended to be related to real life, encouraging students to express their opinions instead of rote memorization.

Pham Quynh Minh Hang, a student from Nguyen Van Cu Secondary School, believes that the content of the social commentary essay is quite relevant to the lives of young people today, as it addresses self-confidence and how to assert oneself in life.

According to Minh Hang, many young people still have a hesitant and insecure attitude towards expressing their opinions and abilities in front of others.

"I think being confident will give me more opportunities to connect with people, dare to experience new things, and showcase my abilities. Without confidence, the ability to communicate and integrate into the community is limited. For me, confidence is not only essential in studying but also a crucial advantage in my future career and life," Minh Hang, a female student, expressed.

Meanwhile, for students applying to top-tier high schools, the competitive pressure remains evident after the first exam. Some students reported feeling time-pressured during the essay writing section, especially when having to ensure both content and essay structure were well-structured.

Literature exam paper for the 10th grade entrance exam in Da Nang city.

PHOTO: CAM THAO

The exam questions are relatable to students.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hoa, a literature teacher at Tran Phu High School, commented that this year's literature exam had content that was relatable and suitable for students in the context of Da Nang city, which has diverse learning conditions and regional characteristics.

According to Mr. Hoa, the reading comprehension section uses a story with content familiar to students, told in a gentle style but still conveying many meaningful messages. The question system is designed to be manageable, allowing most students to approach and answer the questions, while still creating differentiation through requirements for literary appreciation and language skills. For the essay writing section, the exam requires analyzing the character of the former soldier with concise and clear focus.

Teacher Hoa believes this type of question isn't too difficult because the excerpt provides a fairly complete overview of the character's characteristics, allowing students to develop their essays accordingly. However, to achieve a high score, candidates need to harmoniously combine content and artistic analysis with the ability to express themselves clearly and emotionally.

After the Literature exam, many candidates said they felt some relief from the psychological pressure before taking the English exam this afternoon (May 23).

PHOTO: CAM THAO

In the afternoon, candidates will continue with the foreign language exam for 60 minutes. Tomorrow morning (May 24th), candidates will take the mathematics exam with a time limit of 120 minutes. On the morning of May 25th, candidates applying to specialized schools will take their specialized subject exam with a time limit of 150 minutes.

According to data from the Da Nang Department of Education and Training, the entrance exam for 10th grade in the 2026-2027 school year has 43,567 registered candidates. Across the city, 956 students were admitted directly, including 51 students who won awards in national-level competitions, 523 students with disabilities, 379 students from ethnic minority boarding secondary schools, and one student from a small minority group.

The total enrollment quota for public schools is 38,690 students, with 1,215 places available at continuing education centers. With this ratio, it is expected that approximately 91% of candidates will have the opportunity to study at public educational institutions.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/de-ngu-van-lop-10-da-nang-bam-sat-thuc-te-thi-sinh-noi-de-tho-185260523133023136.htm