Get ready for the exam season!

The 2026 exam season is fast approaching. This is the first year that final exams will be held under a two-tiered local government model, and it's also the year with a large number of candidates, placing high demands on exam preparation and organization to ensure students have a solid foundation of knowledge and are mentally prepared to overcome this crucial exam.

Teachers and students at Hoang Le Kha High School during an English exam preparation session.

Nga Son Vocational College in Nga Son commune has 252 12th-grade students registered to take the 2026 high school graduation exam. The school is focusing on reviewing material, practicing exam questions, and providing psychological counseling to students before the exam to help them stabilize their minds and confidently enter the exam.

Mr. Nguyen Van Manh, Vice Principal, shared: “Given the nature of vocational schools, students study both general education and vocational skills, so the ‘entry level’ is relatively low. To ensure effective exam preparation for students, the school has organized many free tutoring classes outside of regular school hours. Students with weaker academic performance will receive direct tutoring and close support from teachers; average students will receive training in knowledge and exam-taking skills; and above-average students will receive intensive review based on the subject combinations they registered for in university and college entrance exams. In addition, exam practice sessions are also intensified to help students become familiar with time pressure and new question types, and to get used to the exam format according to regulations.”

In 2026, the high school graduation exam will have changes in its structure, focusing on developing students' qualities and competencies. Besides traditional question types like multiple-choice and essay questions, the exam will include new formats such as true/false and short answer questions, requiring students to enhance their ability to apply knowledge, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This necessitates that schools and teachers directly involved in exam preparation proactively adjust their study plans and methods accordingly.

In the last days of May, the atmosphere of revision and preparation for the high school graduation exam at Hoang Le Kha High School in Ha Trung commune became more urgent than ever. Teachers diligently reinforced knowledge, honed exam-taking skills, and encouraged students before the most important exam of their student lives.

Ms. Pham Thi Hai Yen, an English teacher, shared: “98 out of 367 12th-grade students in the school registered to take the English exam. During this crucial period, both teachers and students are focusing on accelerating revision, closely following the structure of the sample exam to adjust teaching methods, and are determined to improve the average score in the subject. Along with building a solid foundation of knowledge, guiding students in skills, logical thinking, and flexible application, I also assign practice questions that are appropriate for each student's level. In addition, I have created Zalo groups; some groups provide guidance and answer questions for all students in the grade, while others provide practice exams, followed by detailed guidance and feedback.”

Mai Minh Thu, a student in class 12B5, said: “My first choice is the National Economics University. Besides studying according to my teachers' instructions and self-studying at home, I also went online to find out about the entrance requirements of my desired school and asked my teachers for further advice... Regularly practicing with sample tests helped me get used to time pressure and new question types, thereby helping me strengthen my test-taking skills and become more confident in the elective subjects.”

For middle school students, facing the immense competitive pressure of the entrance exam to public high schools, in addition to organizing exam preparation courses, schools also encourage students to maintain their health and balance their study time to relieve psychological pressure.

Mr. Nguyen Tho Binh, Principal of Tho Binh Secondary School in Tho Binh commune, said: “The school has 86 ninth-grade students registered to take the entrance exam for tenth grade. This is the peak time for exam preparation, so the school has instructed the teaching staff to review the entire curriculum and make appropriate adjustments. The teachers are all demonstrating a high sense of responsibility and are ready to prepare the students. The students are also actively reviewing, practicing exam questions, and preparing themselves mentally for this important exam that marks a significant step in their lives.”

Given the intense pressure of this year's exams, the Department of Education and Training has proactively coordinated with relevant departments, agencies, and the People's Committees of communes and wards where exam centers are located to prepare human resources, facilities, equipment, security and order plans, traffic safety plans, fire prevention plans, reporting plans, food safety and hygiene plans, electricity plans, and especially plans to support candidates and handle natural disasters. This comprehensive and thorough preparation will be the foundation for the exams to be conducted safely, seriously, and in accordance with regulations.

Text and photos: Linh Huong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/san-sang-tam-the-buoc-vao-mua-thi-289339.htm