More than 1.1 million candidates take the 2025 high school graduation exam, curious about the Literature exam according to the new program

This morning, June 26, more than 1.15 million candidates nationwide entered the first exam - Literature subject in the 2025 high school graduation exam. In the first exam under the new general education program, many people were curious about the Literature exam.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, the total number of candidates registered for the high school graduation exam in 2025 is more than 1.16 million (of which, nearly 25,000 students will take the exam under the 2006 General Education Program; more than 1.13 million students will take the exam under the 2018 General Education Program).

On the day of procedures on June 25, more than 1.15 million candidates came to the exam site, reaching a rate of 99.16%. Thus, nearly 9,800 candidates did not come to complete the exam procedures.

In the 2025 high school graduation exam, the Literature subject will still be an essay test, lasting 120 minutes. However, according to the regulations, the Literature exam will use materials other than textbooks. Along with that, the exam has changed in score distribution, including 2 parts: Reading Comprehension (4 points) and Writing (6 points). In previous years, the exam was designed with 2 parts: Reading Comprehension (3 points) and Writing (7 points). Candidates need to understand and calculate to have appropriate and effective exam-taking strategies.

This morning, June 26, candidates took the Literature exam.

At 6:15 a.m. at the gate of Nguyen Trai High School ( Hanoi ), many candidates were taken to the exam location by their relatives. Before entering, parents checked the exam cards, pens and rulers and gave instructions to the students. Photo: Thach Thao.

At the exam sites of Luong The Vinh High School, Thanh Cong Secondary School (Hanoi), Nguyen Tri Phuong Secondary School (HCMC). Photo: The Bang - Manh Hung - Nguyen Hue .

The weather in Hanoi in the early morning was quite cool with the temperature only 28 degrees Celsius. Many emotional moments took place at the gate of the exam venue. Photo: The Bang.

Ha My (Pham Hong Thai High School, Hanoi) high-fived her father for good luck. "I hope the Literature exam will go smoothly because I have studied hard," the female candidate said. Photo: Manh Hung.

At Nguyen Van Troi High School exam site (Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa ), traffic police were mobilized to regulate and ensure security and order. In addition, many volunteers were also on duty to support candidates. Photo: Xuan Ngoc.

At the Luong The Vinh High School exam site (Hanoi), candidates entered the room with confident faces before taking the first exam. Photo: The Bang.

Volunteers welcome candidates at Tran Phu High School exam site (Hanoi). Photo: Duc Anh.

Director of Hanoi Department of Education and Training Tran The Cuong inspects the exam organization at Tran Phu High School (Hanoi). Photo: Pham Hai.

At Tran Hung Dao High School exam site (Nam Dinh City, Nam Dinh Province). Photo: Trong Tung.

23,625 candidates in Nam Dinh province entered the first day of the 2025 high school graduation exam. According to statistics from the Nam Dinh Department of Education and Training, the province has 39 exam sites, of which 38 are for candidates registering for the 2018 General Education Program, and 1 is for candidates registering for the 2006 General Education Program. Photo: Trong Tung.

Also this morning, Vice Chairman of Nam Dinh Provincial People's Committee Tran Le Doai was present at Tran Hung Dao High School exam site (Nam Dinh City, Nam Dinh Province) to visit and encourage the staff on exam duty. He advised candidates to stay calm, confident and mentally strong to achieve the best results on the exam. Photo: Trong Tung.

More than 14,300 candidates in Da Nang officially entered the first exam of the 2025 high school graduation exam.
At the Tran Phu High School (Da Nang) exam site, students were taken to the exam site early by their parents to stabilize their psychology and prepare best for the important exam day. In addition to the education sector, functional forces also participated in ensuring the exam took place safely and seriously. Da Nang City Police mobilized 150 officers and soldiers to work at the exam sites and exam councils. The health sector arranged 57 officers to be on duty at 31 exam sites and exam marking sites, ready to respond to health emergencies. Photo: Ho Giap.

At the Tran Phu High School exam site in Da Nang City, a physically disabled candidate was provided with a suitable desk and chair and an assistant in the exam room to ensure the best conditions for taking the test. Photo: Ho Giap.

Volunteers support special candidates at Nguyen Tri Phuong Secondary School (HCMC) exam site. Nguyen Gia Lam (Dien Hong Lam Secondary School) has a congenital heart disease and had to undergo surgery for complications that required amputation of all four limbs. Despite losing both hands, he said he still tried to write the test himself, only asking the invigilator for help when needed. Photo: Nguyen Hue.

Supervisors check candidates with exam cards. Photo: The Bang.

At the Tran Hung Dao High School exam site (Nam Dinh City, Nam Dinh Province), there are 33 exam rooms with 775 candidates taking the exam. There are 92 exam supervisors and support staff on duty here. Photo: Trong Tung.

Candidates at Luong The Vinh High School (Hanoi) sit in order before the exam papers are distributed. Photo: The Bang.

6:58, outside the Nguyen Trai High School exam site (Hanoi), many relatives of candidates are waiting. Photo: Thach Thao.

What will be different in the 2025 High School Graduation Literature Exam?

In the first high school graduation exam under the new general education program, many people are interested in the design and materials used to construct the Literature exam.

Associate Professor, Dr. Do Ngoc Thong, Editor of the new general education program for Literature, said that the requirements of the exam will have many new points, especially not reusing the linguistic texts already in textbooks.

He advised candidates to do the reading comprehension part first (spend 30-40 minutes), answer briefly and to the point, avoid getting bogged down in long-winded presentations. The paragraph writing part should focus on one main idea, develop it clearly and concisely, and not rely too much on the specified word count.

Regarding argumentative writing, the Editor-in-Chief of the New General Education Program for Literature emphasized: the important thing is to honestly express one's own thoughts and feelings, boldly state one's personal opinions, but must be logical and clearly expressed. A good essay is one that has clear ideas, real emotions, knows how to argue tightly and uses bright, rich words. He noted: "You should not be so absorbed in one part that you do the other part carelessly due to lack of time."

Professor Nguyen Ngoc Ha, Deputy Director of the Department of Quality Management (Ministry of Education and Training), said that the 2025 high school graduation exam will still closely follow the content of the current General Education Program, mainly the 12th grade program, but may also include knowledge from grades 10 and 11.

“The test questions are not outside the curriculum, the thinking level is 40% knowledge level, 30% understanding level and 30% application level. In addition, the test questions also enhance the connection and application of knowledge and skills with reality, especially with differentiated content to accurately assess students' abilities,” said Mr. Ha.

The 2025 high school graduation exam will take place on June 26 and 27. Photo: The Bang.

From 2025, candidates studying the 2018 General Education Program will take the high school graduation exam with 4 subjects: 2 compulsory subjects (Literature, Mathematics) and 2 elective subjects from grade 12 subjects (Foreign Language, History, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Economic & Legal Education, Information Technology, Technology). Candidates will take the exam in 3 sessions: 1 Literature session, 1 Math session, 1 session for 2 elective subjects. Literature is an essay test of 120 minutes (Reading comprehension 4 points, Writing 6 points); Math is a multiple-choice test of 90 minutes; the remaining subjects are multiple-choice for 50 minutes.

Candidates taking the 2006 General Education Program will participate in 4 exam sessions, including 1 Literature exam session, 1 Math exam session, 1 optional Natural Science or Social Science exam session, and 1 Foreign Language exam session.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/to-mo-de-van-o-ky-thi-tot-nghiep-thpt-nam-2025-theo-chuong-trinh-moi-2415131.html