Taking the 10th grade exam under the new program for the first time, candidates in Ho Chi Minh City worry that the questions are 'hard to predict and difficult to review'

On the morning of June 5, more than 76,000 candidates in Ho Chi Minh City went to testing locations to complete procedures to take the 10th grade exam, many of whom shared concerns about the difficulty of the first exam according to the 2018 General Education Program.

Candidates wait to complete exam procedures at the exam site of Trung Vuong High School.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

At the exam site of Vo Truong Toan Secondary School (District 1), Nguyen Duc Huy, a student at Tran Van On Secondary School (District 1), said that this year's 10th grade exam was "quite difficult" so he and his classmates had to concentrate highly. "I often stay up late and wake up early to study, and this morning I also woke up very early to go to school, to prevent any possible incidents," Huy shared.

"I'm quite worried about the new program exam (2018 GeneralEducation Program) because it is more difficult than the old program exam, especially when the knowledge asked in the exam can be taken from the upper classes, making us lose direction. In particular, this year's essay exam will not use the language in the textbook, so it is completely unpredictable, forcing us to research and refer to sample essays and topics outside the book," Huy said.

Candidates see the list of examination rooms at the examination site of Vo Truong Toan Secondary School

PHOTO: NGOC LONG

Also studying at Tran Van On Secondary School (District 1), student Nguyen Huynh Nha Uyen confided that because she was the first group to take the 10th grade exam according to the new curriculum structure, many times "I didn't know where to look for information and what to review", especially in literature and math. Meanwhile, Dang Hoang Van Anh, studying at the same school, shared: "This year's exam questions no longer depend as much on textbooks as in previous years".

"Because the questions are so broad, we don't know which type to choose to fully grasp them. For literature, I personally choose to review based on how each content will be solved. For math, I focus more on practical exercises and geometry exercises, and for algebra exercises, I focus on reviewing formulas and solutions. As for English, I don't have much worry," Van Anh said.

Parents wait for candidates outside the exam site

PHOTO: NGOC LONG

"Personally, I find the new program more difficult and the children's studies are more pitiful. My child often studies late at night and is very worried. But as long as the children are diligent and make an effort, they will definitely 'pass the exam' successfully," said Ms. Xuan Trang, parent of a student at Vo Truong Toan Secondary School, while waiting for her child to complete the exam registration procedures.

This year, the public 10th grade entrance exam in Ho Chi Minh City took place over two days, June 6-7, at 142 exam locations, with a total of 3,277 exam rooms. According to a report from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, 76,435 candidates registered for the 2025 exam with a total enrollment target of 70,070 places, or about 91.7% of candidates admitted to public schools. On the other hand, the total enrollment target for private schools is nearly 19,500 places, helping to reduce competitive pressure compared to previous years.

Ensure disease safety

Mr. Nguyen Duy Tam, Vice Principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School (District 1), Head of the examination site of Vo Truong Toan Secondary School, informed that this examination site gathers 721 candidates, divided into 31 rooms. In the current context, Mr. Tam added that the examination site has developed prevention plans to ensure epidemic safety such as preparing hand washing soap, especially when Ho Chi Minh City has recently recorded a number of Covid-19 cases.

"In the first year of organizing the exam according to the new program, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City also trained the invigilators and exam room supervisors. The head and deputy head of the professional center also thoroughly discussed important and necessary contents for teachers. We especially pay attention to teachers in ensuring the rights of candidates, especially the time to do the exam and how to preserve the exam papers," Mr. Tam shared.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lan-dau-thi-lop-10-chuong-trinh-moi-thi-sinh-tphcm-lo-de-kho-doan-kho-on-18525060512154904.htm