Do independent candidates have to take all four subjects in the high school graduation exam?

(PLVN) - Many independent candidates who have graduated from high school are wondering whether, if they register to retake the 2026 high school graduation exam to use the results for university admission, they will be required to register for all four subjects like students currently in 12th grade.

Regarding this matter, the Ministry of Education and Training stated that independent candidates who have graduated from high school can register to take the subjects in the high school graduation exam according to their needs for using the results for university admission, without being obligated to take all four subjects like students currently in 12th grade.

According to the Regulations on determining the results of the high school graduation exam used as one of the bases for admission: "Admission method is the use by the training institution of… the results of the high school graduation exam… to select candidates for a training program" (Clause 12, Article 2, Circular No. 06/2026/TT-BGDĐT).

At the same time, the Regulations only require the use of a minimum of 3 subjects in the admission combination: "The admission combination using the results of the high school graduation exam subjects must have at least 03 subjects…" (point a, clause 6, Article 6 of Circular No. 06/2026/TT-BGDĐT).

Candidates are determined based on exam results and appropriate entry requirements: "Candidates… have been recognized as having graduated from high school…" (point a, clause 1, Article 5 of Circular No. 06/2026/TT-BGDĐT). Therefore, independent candidates are not required to register for all four exam subjects like students currently in grade 12.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, independent candidates who have already graduated from high school are entitled to register for exams in subjects that match their university admission subject combinations, serving the purpose of university admission. The registration of subjects follows the principle that candidates choose the necessary subjects themselves; they are not required to take all subjects as in the case of taking exams solely for high school graduation.

"Therefore, independent candidates only need to register for the subjects required for university admission, and are not required to take all four subjects," the Ministry of Education and Training stated.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/thi-sinh-tu-do-co-phai-thi-du-4-mon-tot-nghiep-thpt.html