The option for localities to choose a third subject for the 10th grade entrance exam is one of the notable innovations in the high school admission regulations issued by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), applicable from the 2025 admission season.
The 2025 entrance exam for 10th grade will be held for the first time under the 2018 General Education Program. The Ministry of Education and Training expects that the application of the new program will help students develop comprehensively in terms of abilities and qualities, instead of focusing only on a few core subjects.
Previously, many localities only held exams in Mathematics, Literature, and Foreign Language, leading to a neglect of other subjects. With the regulation changing the third exam subject every three years (not choosing the same subject for more than three consecutive years), according to the Ministry of Education and Training, high school entrance exams will ensure three principles: avoiding unnecessary pressure and expense for parents; promoting comprehensive and unified education nationwide; and, importantly, addressing the problem of students focusing on only certain subjects or memorizing specific answers.
Statistics show that nearly 20 localities have finalized Foreign Language as the third subject in the 10th grade entrance exam for the 2025-2026 school year. Currently, only Vinh Phuc province has not chosen Foreign Language as the third subject, instead planning to use a combined subject exam. The reason many localities choose Foreign Language, specifically English, is to motivate and encourage students to enhance their foreign language learning in the context of international integration and to make English a second language in schools. The early announcement also allows schools to proactively plan teaching and review sessions from the second semester, creating a comfortable and favorable environment for both students and parents.
In Hanoi, the Department of Education and Training has yet to announce the third subject for the entrance exam to 10th grade in public high schools for the 2025-2026 school year. In recent years, Hanoi has maintained a stable entrance exam method for 10th grade in public high schools with three subjects: Mathematics, Literature, and Foreign Language.
In response to concerns from students, parents, and teachers, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training announced that the third subject in the 2025 entrance exam for public high schools will be revealed at the end of March, as in previous years. According to Mr. Tran The Cuong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, Hanoi's method of grade 10 admissions ensures compliance with regulations, is appropriate to the current situation, does not cause stress for students, and guarantees the quality of teaching and learning.
Based on the exam structure and format for the 10th grade in the 2025-2026 school year issued by the Department of Education, schools should develop question banks for testing and evaluation according to the required learning outcomes of each subject and organize thorough practice sessions for students. Specifically for Literature, schools should avoid using texts and excerpts from textbooks as test and evaluation materials to prevent rote memorization. The Department also requests that junior high schools familiarize students with the structure and format of the exam for each subject; and strengthen review by developing question banks and test matrices for each subject.
According to experts, organizing the 10th grade entrance exam to meet the new requirements of the 2018 General Education Program has also intensified the question of "learning to pass the exam or passing the exam to learn?" with the innovations and adjustments in the examination system. The ultimate goal of teaching and learning is not just what students learn, but more importantly, what skills they acquire and what they can do afterward. To achieve this, students must be equipped with effective learning methods and develop self-learning abilities.
This necessitates a change in teaching and learning methods for both teachers and students. For example, Literature requires integrated skills in teaching and learning. English must be applicable to real-world situations. And Mathematics must adhere closely to the learning objectives.
Dr. Tran Van Anh, Deputy Head of Training Department at Ban Mai School, commented that the new exam format and sample questions announced by the Hanoi Department of Education and Training clearly demonstrate a focus on assessing students' competencies. Instead of testing knowledge, students are assessed based on the specific competencies of each subject.
Sharing her advice with teachers, Ms. Van Anh emphasized that the first priority is for subject departments to research and develop a question bank for their respective subjects, following the structure and format of the exam. Ninth-grade teachers should proactively create exercises and questions based on the published exam format and provide guidance to help students familiarize themselves with and master the learning process; they should also guide students on effective study and exam-taking methods. As for students, they need to change their learning approach. Instead of focusing on specific topics for the exam, they should develop their self-learning abilities, combining theory with practice and applying learned knowledge and skills to real-world situations. They should carefully consider the format and approach for different types of questions; study proactively, strive to the best of their ability in learning and assessment; master each subject, and practice exercises as they learn. Each student should set clear goals that are appropriate to their individual abilities in order to achieve their aspirations.
Source: https://daidoanket.vn/doi-moi-tuyen-sinh-lop-10-khich-le-su-chu-dong-cua-nguoi-hoc-10299521.html
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