Students are excited because they only have to take three subjects to enter 10th grade.

Many students said they felt "relieved" upon learning that the entrance exam for 10th grade would consist of three subjects: Math, Literature, and English, while educators were not surprised.

This afternoon, when her teacher informed her that the entrance exam for 10th grade would consist of three subjects—Mathematics, Literature, and Foreign Language—Hoang Minh Thu, a student in class 9A6 at Sai Dong Secondary School in Long Bien district, felt relieved, as if a long-held psychological burden had been lifted.

"I'm so excited," Thu expressed.

Thu plans to put Cao Ba Quat High School as her first choice – a school with an average cutoff score of around 7.65 per subject. When taking mock exams, she usually scores 9 in Math and English, and 7-8 in Literature. Therefore, Thu isn't too worried about taking three subjects, but it would be "a big problem" if she had to take a fourth subject.

Thu said that she and her friends tend to only study when the exam subjects are announced. Therefore, if the fourth subject falls into Chemistry, Physics, or Biology – subjects that are not her strengths – Thu worries that her admission score will be dragged down.

"Now I can focus on improving my Literature grades and maintaining my Math and English results," Thu said.

Sharing the same sentiment, Ngoc Anh from Ba Dinh district also supports this plan. The female student said that in addition to applying to Phan Dinh Phung High School, she also registered to take the English class exams at two specialized high schools: Hanoi Pedagogical University and Hanoi - Amsterdam High School.

"Because my specialized subject coincides with the 10th-grade exam subject, my revision has been quite smooth. However, if a fourth subject were to arise, it would be difficult for me to manage my time, adding more pressure," Ngoc Anh said.

Candidates taking the 10th grade entrance exam for public high schools in Hanoi in 2022. Photo: Tung Dinh — Candidates taking the 10th grade entrance exam for public high schools in Hanoi in 2022. Photo: *Tung Dinh*

Not only students, but many parents are also delighted to hear about the city's exam plan. Ms. Thu Quynh, who lives in Dong Da district, said, "I feel so relieved." Her daughter has extra classes all week, with only Friday and Sunday evenings free. If she had to take another exam, she would have no days off, and the family would have to work harder to get her to and from school, and it would be more expensive.

"Three subjects are already exhausting, and my child wants to increase the math lessons, but I can't afford it," Ms. Quynh shared.

Ms. Quynh's daughter aims to get into Dong Da High School. Last year, the average score for a subject at this school was 7.9. The mother said her daughter's academic ability is around 8 points, but she is still worried because "the mindset will be very different during the exam." She said that besides encouraging her daughter to study for the three exam subjects, she will look for a private school with reasonable tuition fees as a backup.

Information regarding the 10th grade entrance exam with three subjects is eagerly awaited by parents and students because, according to the 10th grade admission regulations issued in Hanoi in 2019, this exam will consist of four subjects. The fourth subject is announced in March each year.

According to a survey by VnExpress , 93% of more than 500 respondents supported Hanoi's decision to hold three-subject entrance exams for 10th grade.

This year, besides Hanoi, many localities have also reduced the number of subjects in the 10th grade entrance exam . Vinh Phuc , Ninh Binh, and Hung Yen have eliminated two combined subject exams, retaining only three subjects: Mathematics, Literature, and English for high school admissions. Of the more than 30 provinces and cities that have announced their 10th grade exam plans, none have organized exams in more than three subjects.

Results of a VnExpress survey, as of 6 PM on March 28th. (Screenshot) — Results of a VnExpress survey, as of 6 PM on March 28th. *(Screenshot)*

Mr. Nguyen Cao Cuong, principal of Thai Thinh Secondary School in Dong Da district, assessed the decision to have three subjects in the 10th grade entrance exam as reasonable for two reasons. Firstly, students graduating from secondary school this year have had to study online for about the first two years of secondary school. Secondly, this is also the last group of students to study the 2006 general education curriculum at the secondary school level.

Therefore, Mr. Cuong believes that the 10th grade entrance exam should aim for stability and minimize pressure on students.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Van Hong, principal of Chuong Duong Secondary School in Hoan Kiem district, said that while she wasn't too surprised by the city's decision to hold the exam in three subjects, she felt relieved when the information was officially announced. According to Ms. Hong, most parents and students agree with this plan.

The two principals stated that the schools were not caught off guard because they had planned for both three- and four-subject exams. For now, the students' regular curriculum remains unchanged, and no teaching hours for other subjects will be cut. After the students finish their second semester exams, the schools will intensify exam preparation.

"Schools and teachers have a lot of experience in reviewing and preparing students for the 10th grade entrance exam. Therefore, students and parents don't need to worry," Mr. Cuong said.

The Hanoi 10th grade entrance exam took place over two days, June 8-9. The admission score was calculated by summing the scores in Mathematics and Literature (weighted by a factor of 2), plus the foreign language score and any bonus points (if applicable).

According to statistics from the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, approximately 133,000 students graduated from junior high school this year, an increase of over 5,000. It is projected that 81,200 students will be admitted to public schools (accounting for over 60%, similar to last year), 29,100 to private schools (21.5%), and the remainder to continuing education centers and vocational schools.

From next year, Hanoi's 10th grade entrance exam may change because the first cohort of students under the new general education program will graduate from junior high school.

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