Entrance exam for grade 10 in Hanoi reduces benchmark scores, but pressure still not reduced

GD&TĐ - The benchmark scores for entering grade 10 at public schools in Hanoi for the 2025-2026 school year show a downward trend in many schools, but this is not necessarily a sign that exam pressure has decreased.

Benchmarks fall

The Hanoi Department of Education and Training has just announced the exam scores and admission scores for public 10th graders in 2025. Accordingly, up to 95/115 public high schools have reduced their admission scores compared to last year. With the number of students decreasing by more than 5,000 compared to last year, the total enrollment target for 10th graders has increased by nearly 5,000 students, so this year's admission scores have decreased quite significantly.

The benchmark scores of top schools range from 23.75 to 25.5 - these are schools in central areas with high population density and few schools. Specifically, Kim Lien High School and Le Quy Don High School - Ha Dong have the highest benchmark scores of 25.5 points. With this year's admission formula, on average, candidates need to achieve 8.5 points or more to be admitted.

In second place are Viet Duc High School and Phan Dinh Phung High School with 25.25. On average, candidates need to score 8.41 points or more to pass these two schools. In the next positions are the following schools: Nguyen Gia Thieu High School; Yen Hoa High School; Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School; Thang Long High School...

On the contrary, the schools with the lowest admission scores are located in the suburbs of Hanoi such as: Minh Quang High School, Tho Xuan High School, Bac Luong Son High School, Dai Cuong High School, Luu Hoang High School, Ung Hoa B High School. Candidates only need to have a total score of 10 in 3 subjects, meaning an average of more than 3 points/subject to be admitted.

Mr. Doan Minh Chau - Principal of Xuan Phuong High School shared: The scores of some schools are lower than the previous school year because the quota has increased a lot. For example, Xuan Phuong High School this year has 17 classes, 2 more than last year. Therefore, this year the school has 20 points, 0.8 points lower than last school year.

According to Mr. Tran The Cuong - Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, the decrease in the benchmark score compared to last year was expected because this year's exam questions were at a basic level, not challenging for students. The way to calculate the admission score has also changed, no longer doubling the Math and Literature scores.

This year, the city invested in building new schools and new classrooms, so the number of places to study has increased. The enrollment target has also increased from 61% last year to 64% this year. Furthermore, the city has manyeducational systems such as continuing education and vocational education, so students have many options to choose from.

In just a few months, three new high schools will be completed and put into operation in areas with high enrollment such as Hoang Mai, Cau Giay, and Dong Anh. The schools will recruit new students in the coming school year to reduce the overload of high school schools and classes in Hanoi, with an expected quota of 1,500 students entering grade 10.

Class time of teachers and students at Dai Kim Secondary School (Dinh Cong, Hanoi).

Pressure does not decrease

Further analyzing the lower benchmark scores for the 10th grade entrance exam this year compared to last year, Mr. Nghiem Van Binh - Head of the Department of Examination Management and Education Quality Assessment (Hanoi Department of Education and Training) said: Firstly, the way to calculate the admission score this year has changed, not doubling the Math and Literature scores like previous years. This reduces the maximum total score from 50 to 30, so the benchmark score reduction is understandable.

Second, this year’s exam was designed to assess competency, in line with the requirements of the new General Education Program. The exam has a moderate level of differentiation, helping average students do better. This is one of the reasons why the score range is “softer”, contributing to a decrease in benchmark scores in many schools.

Third, this year’s students are the first to study entirely according to the 2018 General Education Program, with many innovations in learning methods, testing, and output standards. Therefore, fluctuations in scores do not completely reflect the quality of teaching, but rather reflect the transformation process of the education system.

In addition, the sharp increase in enrollment quotas also has an impact. This year, the system of non-specialized public high schools in Hanoi has nearly 76,000 quotas, an increase of nearly 5,000 quotas compared to last year. Some schools were assigned to increase their quotas, reducing the competition ratio and pulling down the benchmark scores.

The reduction in benchmark scores in many schools has helped reduce pressure on parents and students this school year. However, some schools still require high scores, and candidates who score 8 points per subject may fail their first choice. This shows that although the general benchmark scores tend to decrease, competition for admission to public grade 10, especially in top inner-city schools, is still intense.

According to education expert Tong Lien Anh, with changes in policies, scoring formulas and modern educational trends, the 10th grade entrance exam in Hanoi is gradually changing. However, the distribution of enrollment quotas, school networks and teaching quality still have gaps between regions. This is the reason why the pressure of the 10th grade entrance exam is unlikely to decrease in a short time.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa - Principal of Nguyen Thuong Hien Secondary School (Van Dinh, Hanoi) shared: For many years, schools in the inner city of Hanoi have had a large number of 9th grade students and many places do not have enough classes or public high schools; meanwhile, in the suburbs, it is the opposite, often having to recruit the second and third choices of inner-city candidates.

Despite efforts to implement many positive and creative solutions, the educational gap between the inner city and the suburbs of Hanoi is still large. This issue needs to be viewed comprehensively and thoroughly and cannot be resolved overnight; at the same time, it requires the cooperation of all levels, sectors and the whole society in caring for and developing education.

According to sociologist Trinh Hoa Binh , the 10th grade entrance exam in Hanoi in recent years has been a stressful and pressured race. The lack of places in public schools is just one reason for the increased pressure on students in this special exam. Another reason is the expectations and behavior of parents, intentionally or unintentionally, directly or indirectly, putting pressure on children, causing them to fall into a state of stress.

It is estimated that on average, each year, the number of students in Hanoi increases by about 40,000 to 50,000 students; corresponding to the need to build about 30 - 40 more schools. However, the lack of locations is identified as one of the leading reasons why the city government has not been able to meet the demand for classrooms, leading to overcrowding in many high schools in Hanoi.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/thi-vao-lop-10-tai-ha-noi-giam-diem-chuan-chua-giam-ap-luc-post738992.html