More than just an exam

On the morning of June 1st, along with many localities nationwide, more than 57,000 students in Phu Tho officially began the entrance exam for 10th grade in high schools for the 2026-2027 school year. This is the first year the exam has been held in the context of Phu Tho province after its merger, and it is also one of the exams that has received special attention from the entire society.

For many years, the entrance exam for 10th grade has always been considered a stressful test for high school students. If the high school graduation exam is the gateway to a future career, then the 10th grade entrance exam is the first milestone where students must face competition in their academic journey.

This explains why, every exam season, not only students but also parents, teachers, schools, the education sector, and society as a whole enter a special psychological state. Some argue that the entrance exam for 10th grade is stressful, but from another perspective, it is still a necessary exam.

Security forces, volunteers supporting the exam season, and a large number of parents welcomed and encouraged the candidates as they entered the first exam (Literature) on the morning of June 1st at the Lien Bao Secondary School exam center (Vinh Phuc ward).

The exam contributes to evaluating the quality of lower secondary education, reflecting the extent to which students meet the curriculum requirements after nine years of general education. More importantly, it is an opportunity for students to develop resilience, self-learning skills, the ability to withstand pressure, and a spirit of overcoming difficulties. These lessons are sometimes even more valuable than the scores themselves.

In recent years, the organization of entrance exams for 10th grade has seen many positive changes. Many localities have increased the application of information technology, publicly announced enrollment quotas, made admission methods transparent, promoted online registration, reduced administrative procedures, and created favorable conditions for candidates.

This year's 10th grade entrance exam is the first time students who have completed the entire 2018 general education program at the lower secondary level are taking the exam with a focus on assessing competencies and qualities rather than testing rote memorization of knowledge. This makes the exam not only a competition for scores but also a test of the effectiveness of the educational reforms being implemented nationwide.

In Phu Tho province , the 2026-2027 10th grade entrance exam features several new aspects, such as 100% online registration, an expanded number of application options, and a single round of review after the appeals process, creating more choices for students. The exam will be held from June 1st to 3rd, covering Mathematics, Literature, English, and specialized subjects for students applying to specialized schools.

In particular, preparations were carried out quite early, synchronously, and systematically. This created a sense of reassurance for schools, teachers, parents, and students. These figures demonstrate the great efforts of the education sector in expanding learning opportunities for students.

However, the reality shows that the significant disparity in quality between schools still fuels the competitive pursuit of admission to a few "hot" schools. Meanwhile, vocational and continuing education systems, despite investment, have not yet become truly attractive options. This increases the pressure on high-quality public schools to recruit students.

Another issue receiving attention is the structure and direction of exam questions. In the context of the 2018 General Education Program being implemented comprehensively, exams cannot continue to simply test the ability to memorize knowledge or solve problems according to predefined patterns. Exams need to become tools for assessing genuine competence; capable of reasonable differentiation, accurately assessing proficiency levels, encouraging independent thinking, the ability to apply knowledge to practice, and problem-solving skills.

More importantly, exams need to motivate students to learn genuinely and understand the material, rather than relying on shortcuts or rote memorization. Because the ultimate goal of education is not to create "exam-taking machines," but to cultivate individuals capable of adapting to a rapidly changing world .

From a societal perspective, the 10th grade entrance exam is also a test of educational management. A safe, serious, and transparent exam will strengthen the public's trust in the education sector.

More importantly, there needs to be a change in societal perceptions regarding students' educational paths after lower secondary school. Not all students necessarily need to go on to upper secondary school and then university. Each student has their own abilities, strengths, and aspirations. When society truly values ​​vocational education, skills training, and practical abilities, the pressure of the entrance exam to grade 10 will undoubtedly decrease significantly.

This morning, as the gates of the examination centers opened across the province, more than 57,000 students entered the examination rooms with varying emotions. Some were nervous, some anxious, and some confident. However, regardless of the outcome, the most important thing isn't necessarily the final score. The entrance exam for 10th grade is just one stage in their journey to adulthood. What they need to carry with them after the exam is resilience, self-confidence, a spirit of effort, and belief in themselves. That is the most important preparation for their future.

Quang Nam

Source: https://baophutho.vn/hon-ca-mot-ky-thi-255262.htm