What do teachers and students in Ha Tinh say when the Literature exam does not use textbook materials?

(Baohatinh.vn) - As the only essay subject in the High School Graduation Exam, the Literature exam with new points that does not use materials in textbooks is an issue of special concern to many teachers and students in Ha Tinh.

Nguyen Thi Quynh Giao, a student in class 12A7 (Nguyen Hue High School, Ky Anh district), is hoping for an "open-ended text" and an "open-ended answer" in this year's Literature exam.

There will no longer be the concepts of "hitting the jackpot" or "missing the jackpot".

In less than a day, over 17,300 students in Ha Tinh will take the first subject of the 2025 High School Graduation Examination – Literature. A notable point about this exam is that it will not use material from textbooks. Instead of testing the ability to memorize literary works, the exam will focus on evaluating students' critical thinking skills, literary appreciation, and expressive abilities. With many innovative elements, the Literature exam has left students and teachers feeling nervous, hopeful, and somewhat anxious.

Nguyen Thi Quynh Giao, a student in class 12A7 (Nguyen Hue High School, Ky Anh district), shared: “I am very nervous but also very excited to enter the exam. Regarding this year's Literature exam, I'm hoping for an 'open-ended text' and an 'open-ended answer,' avoiding rigid formulas to give students the opportunity to express their thoughts and understanding, especially for the social commentary question. To prepare well for this subject, I have tried to thoroughly study the high school Literature curriculum (including grades 10, 11, and 12), because the exam will not be limited. I have also honed my 'reading and thinking' skills, gathered relevant literary theory knowledge, and collected typical social examples to be able to 'cope' with the exam in the most proactive way possible.”

Many students believe that the fact that the exam did not use specific texts from the textbook might make the Literature exam more surprising, but it also provides an opportunity for them to demonstrate independent and creative thinking – something that the 2018 general education program aims for. There will be no concept of "guessing correctly" or "not guessing correctly," and the exam scores will more accurately reflect the candidates' true abilities compared to previous years.

With this year's Literature exam, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their independent thinking and creative abilities.

For Tran Thi Thanh Nga, a former student of Cu Huy Can High School (Vu Quang, Ha Tinh), who won first prize in Literature at the provincial level for four consecutive years, the fact that this year's Literature exam did not use materials from the textbook is a truly exciting change, bringing both challenges and great opportunities.

Thanh Nga shared: “As someone who has taken many Literature exams, I understand that this change is a major challenge. However, based on my own experience, I see this as a golden opportunity for the Literature exam to truly assess students' ability to appreciate, think critically, and be creative. The fact that the exam is not limited to textbook material doesn't mean knowledge will just 'fall from the sky.' On the contrary, it requires us to have a solid grasp of fundamental knowledge in literary theory, argumentative essay types, and reading comprehension skills. This knowledge is built throughout the curriculum, and once you have a firm grasp of it, you can do well with any material.”

“For those of you preparing for the upcoming exam, my advice is to thoroughly grasp the knowledge of the high school Literature curriculum (grades 10, 11, and 12). This is the ‘backbone’ for analyzing any text. More importantly, proactively cultivate your reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Read more works and excerpts outside of textbooks, practice asking questions, and think deeply about them. Gathering typical social examples and knowledge of literary theory will also be valuable assets that will help you feel much more confident when taking the exam,” Thanh Nga said.

With thorough preparation, hopefully this year's Literature exam will not be too difficult for the candidates.

Reflecting the true spirit of the general education program.

Not only students, but also teachers are looking forward to the Literature exam questions that truly reflect the spirit of innovation, yet remain clear and relatable, allowing students to confidently express themselves. With its departure from textbooks, the Literature exam in 2025 is expected to be groundbreaking, inspiring, and thought-provoking.

Ms. Le Thi Phuong, a Literature teacher at Cam Xuyen High School, shared: “We hope the exam questions are not too academic or tricky, but rather inspiring, showing students that Literature is a place to express their thoughts and feelings. Especially for the literary and social commentary section, we hope the questions will closely follow current events, being both topical and focusing on profound humanistic issues, so that students not only develop practical skills but also cultivate positive attitudes and perspectives on life.”

Undeniably, reforming exam question formats to align with the 2018 general education curriculum is a challenge for both teachers and students. However, this is a significant shift, reflecting the true spirit of the new general education program: developing students' competencies and qualities, rather than simply testing their knowledge. Many teachers also expressed their hope that students would apply their learned knowledge, overcome any initial difficulties, and perform well on the exams.

Ms. Tran Thi Canh Thuan, a Literature teacher at Mai Thuc Loan High School (Thach Ha), and her students review exam questions.

Ms. Tran Thi Canh Thuan, a Literature teacher at Mai Thuc Loan High School (Thach Ha), said: “A good essay topic not only accurately assesses students' abilities but can also touch their emotions, making them feel that Literature is a place to express themselves and be true to themselves. Of course, there will be some initial surprises, as they are used to studying specific texts. But I believe that if the chosen text is relatable and has a clear message, students can handle it well. Therefore, students shouldn't feel too much pressure; they should believe that they have studied enough and experienced enough to address the requirements of the topic and express their own viewpoints. The exam is an open door, so as long as they remain calm, they will be able to confidently pass through it.”

As the first subject in the 2025 High School Graduation Exam, the Literature exam not only tests knowledge but also aims to build confidence and morale for candidates throughout the entire exam. Despite lingering concerns and anxieties, with the new exam format, most students and teachers place their trust and hope in the Literature exam, believing it will be a platform for the sincere thoughts and innocent dreams of the 2007 generation to be expressed through writing.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/giao-vien-hoc-sinh-ha-tinh-noi-gi-khi-de-thi-ngu-van-khong-dung-ngu-lieu-sach-giao-khoa-post290512.html