Review session for 12th grade students in class 6 at Cao Thang High School.

Race against time

At 5 a.m., while her family was still asleep, Nguyen Hoang Bao Thi, a 12th-grade student from Cao Thang High School, began her exam preparation day. For her, this was the time when her mind was clearest and she could concentrate best on reviewing social science subjects and mathematical formulas. Thick stacks of exam papers lay on her desk. At noon, Bao Thi practiced with sample questions and timed herself as if it were a real exam to learn time management. In the afternoon, she continued studying math and English. In the evening, she joined online study groups to listen to teachers correct her answers and then studied on her own until around 11:30 p.m. before finally resting.

Setting her sights on getting into the English Language major at Hue University of Foreign Languages, Bao Thi focused more on practicing exam questions and reviewing areas where she felt uncertain. She also divided her study time into groups of subjects to avoid cramming and overload. Bao Thi shared: “I try to balance my time for exam preparation each day. For example, if I study math and history today, I'll switch to literature and English tomorrow. Sometimes I feel tired and stressed because of the long study schedule. However, instead of letting myself stagnate for too long, I choose to start again with subjects I enjoy to boost my morale.”

These days, Nguyen Thai Bao, a 12th-grade student in class 12B1 at A Luoi High School, is dedicating almost all of his time to preparing for the high school graduation exam. Without attending extra classes, Thai Bao primarily studies at home after school, consolidating his knowledge and practicing with sample questions every day. Each evening, he starts studying around 7 PM and tries to rest before midnight to maintain his energy. Early in the morning, he reviews his lessons, organizes his study materials, and plans his day's learning.

Having applied to university with the combination of mathematics, physics, and chemistry, Thai Bao was quite confident in physics, so he focused more on difficult problem types, model exercises, and experiments. For mathematics and chemistry, he dedicated more time to consolidating foundational knowledge and practicing exam questions. Bao said that in the days leading up to the exam, the workload increased, but he still maintained a stable schedule to stay focused and in the best learning state. His teachers provided excellent support, from systematizing knowledge and correcting exam questions to guiding him through difficult problem types, which gave him extra motivation during his exam preparation.

The atmosphere of "racing against time" is evident in final-year classes as students utilize each day to consolidate their knowledge before the exams. Dinh Tran Nam An, a student in class 12/6 at Huong Vinh High School, shared: "This is an important milestone before embarking on a new journey, so we must be even more determined in this final push. I hope to achieve the score I expect to get into my desired major and university."

Supporting students

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Quy, homeroom teacher of class 12/6 at Cao Thang High School, the "final push" period before the high school graduation exam is especially important because it is the time when students accelerate to perfect their knowledge and test-taking skills after 12 years of study. For students, this is considered a "golden time," a decisive period for the outcome of their entire academic journey before entering the most important exam in high school.

To help students review effectively and achieve the best results in the exam, the school and teachers have collaborated closely to develop a comprehensive, scientific, and student-level review plan. The school administration and subject departments play a guiding role in developing an overall review strategy and creating the best conditions for students during the final preparation period. Preparation is implemented comprehensively, from adjusting teaching plans and organizing mock exams to building a system of review questions closely aligned with the structure of the high school graduation exam.

While the school's review plan serves as a framework, the way teachers support students is the decisive factor in determining effectiveness during the final preparation phase. At this time, teachers not only impart knowledge but also become a source of emotional support, helping students maintain composure under exam pressure. Ms. Quy believes that when only weeks remain, cramming too much new information is ineffective. Instead, teachers should focus on thoroughly analyzing and correcting common mistakes students make during exam preparation. Developing "exam-taking strategies" becomes a top priority in class. Teachers need to guide students on the crucial principle: prioritize scoring full marks on recognition and comprehension questions. Simultaneously, supplementary skills such as elimination, answer estimation techniques, and time management for each question are continuously honed by teachers, helping students become more confident and proactive when entering the exam room.

At A Luoi High School, teacher Ha Bao Vy said that the school started preparing for this year's high school graduation exam early and structured the review process in stages to suit students' abilities. In addition to regular classes, the school organizes extracurricular review sessions, dividing students into groups to both reinforce foundational knowledge and hone their test-taking skills. Subject teachers focus on systematizing key knowledge, closely following the structure of the sample exam, increasing practice with sample questions, and guiding students on effective learning methods. The school also regularly monitors students' academic performance to provide timely support to those who are struggling, preventing knowledge gaps or excessive pressure in the final stages. During review sessions, teachers always strive to create a relaxed learning atmosphere, encouraging students to maintain a stable mindset and avoid overworking. Students are also guided on how to allocate time effectively, practice test-taking skills, and handle exam-related stress.

The most important thing for students right now is to stay calm, confident, and have a suitable study plan. They should not cram or become overly stressed, but instead maintain a balanced daily routine, combining studying and resting appropriately to be in the best state before the exam.

Text and photos: MINH HIỀN

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/giao-duc/tuyen-sinh/mua-thi-166226.html