High school graduation exam 2026 continues to innovate: What do students need to prepare?

However, for the current 12th grade students, the first generation to take the exam in this format, this is an important step, requiring initiative in studying and a clear orientation from the beginning of the school year. Mastering the new points of the exam is also something candidates need to pay attention to.

Teachers of Tien Phong High School (Me Linh commune) guide students in reviewing. *Photo: Quang Thai*

Open exam, no more "parrot learning"

From 2025, the high school graduation exam will have important changes. Students will only take 4 subjects, including 2 compulsory subjects: math and literature, and 2 subjects chosen from the subjects in the 12th grade program. This organization method will continue to be applied in the 2026 exam, with the expectation of reducing exam pressure, helping students develop their personal abilities, and orienting their careers more appropriately.

Director of the Department of Quality Management ( Ministry of Education and Training ) Huynh Van Chuong said that the 2026 exam is expected to be held on June 11 and 12. In terms of procedures, many new points have been adjusted in the direction of simplification: Exam notice and exam card are combined into one. Temporary graduation certificate and score sheet are also integrated into a single document, helping candidates and schools save time and effort.

The time for returning the review results has been shortened from 10 days to 5 days. If the results change after the review, the examination board will organize a direct dialogue to increase transparency, limit errors and ensure the legitimate rights of students.

Notably, the orientation of the exam questions continues to be adjusted towards assessing capacity, application and creativity. According to Mr. Huynh Van Chuong, the exam questions do not require candidates to memorize mechanically but will be linked to practical situations. To do well on the exam, candidates not only need to have a solid grasp of textbook knowledge but also need to have critical thinking, argumentative ability and practical connection.

Candidates should pay attention to the graduation formula. High school graduation scores are calculated at a ratio of 50:50, in which 50% is the average score of grade 12 subjects and 50% is the score of graduation exams. The assessment of the learning process is placed on par with the test results, so candidates should not be subjective in the learning process and take regular, periodic tests.

Need an effective learning roadmap

Before the exam with many innovations, 12th grade students in Hanoi are receiving support and sharing from teachers, valedictorians and parents to help them have an effective learning path, maximize their abilities and maintain a stable mentality throughout the school year.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hoan, a math teacher at Nguyen Gia Thieu High School (Bo De Ward), emphasized that students need to have a firm grasp of basic knowledge before studying advanced subjects. When practicing, students should divide the exercises into specific topics to make it easier to follow and review. When doing exercises, they should prioritize solving easy questions first, then difficult questions to allocate time appropriately.

In literature, teacher Nguyen Nguyet Nga, a teacher at Viet Duc High School (Cua Nam Ward), said: Students should avoid mechanically copying sample texts. Each essay needs to have its own voice, coherent thinking and appropriate evidence. Reading more literary works outside the textbook program, as well as following newspapers, short stories and current events will help students have more practical materials to include in their work.

Nguyen Duy Phong, a former student of Chuong My A High School, Chuong My Commune - the national valedictorian in 2025, shared: “I made a plan from the beginning of the school year, dividing my review time equally among the subjects. I also clearly identified the weak subjects to overcome them early. In the literature exam, I combined interdisciplinary knowledge such as geography, history and current events to make my writing both practical and in-depth.”

Nguyen Duy Phong also emphasized the importance of time management. In addition to school hours, he created his own study schedule at home.

Ms. Vu Thuy Hang, a parent whose child just took the exam in 2025 and will continue to take the high school graduation exam in 2026, shared her experience that the family should not put pressure on the scores but accompany the child in building a study plan, choosing appropriate review materials and preparing mentally for all situations, even when the results are not as expected.

The important and noteworthy information about the 2026 high school graduation exam is that the exam will be held earlier - in early June instead of at the end of the month like previous years. This means that students will have less time to review.

Mr. Le Viet Duong, Principal of Doan Ket - Hai Ba Trung High School (Bach Mai Ward) emphasized: "The early exam requires students to start studying and reviewing very early, avoiding procrastination or pressure at the end of the semester. The school will support students in updating new information on exam regulations and providing scientific review instructions so that they can be fully prepared and enter the exam with confidence."

According to Hanoi Moi Newspaper

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202510/thi-tot-nghiep-thpt-2026-tiep-tuc-doi-moi-hoc-sinh-can-chuan-bi-gi-c4227af/