Find a new direction when knowing the 10th grade exam results

Without waiting for the benchmark scores of public high schools, many parents and students are looking for other learning opportunities.

One day after the Ho Chi Minh City Departmentof Education and Training announced the 10th grade entrance exam scores, Ms. Lam Thi Viet Thuy in District 1 took her son to Ho Chi Minh City International College in Binh Tan District. She wanted her son to enroll in the high school college program (for junior high school graduates), majoring in computer network administration.

Many suitable directions

According to Ms. Thuy, her son has good academic performance and good test scores, but the family wants to find a learning environment that reduces pressure on him. Her son can both study culture and learn his favorite profession. "For now, I will register him for 2 sessions. If he gets used to the learning environment, the family will consider sending him to boarding school," she said.

Ms. Vo Thanh Huong, Head of Admissions and Communications Department - Ho Chi Minh City International College, informed that up to now, the school has received nearly 80 applications for admission to the high school and college system. In addition, the number of parents coming to learn more and get advice has also gradually increased. It is predicted that after Ho Chi Minh City has the standard score for public high schools, the number of applications will increase.

One day after the 10th grade exam results were released, many parents brought their children to register for admission to vocational schools.

"On the first day of announcing the 10th grade exam results, more than 50 parents and students contacted our school. In addition, the school recorded several cases of 11th grade students studying at public high schools but wanting to switch to vocational training," said Ms. Huong.

At Dai Viet College in Ho Chi Minh City (Thu Duc City), Mr. Huynh Trong Hieu, Vice Principal, also said that right after the 10th grade exam results were released, many parents came to the school to ask for vocational advice for their children. Some parents carefully came to the school to visit and learn about the majors, facilities, and practice rooms before "finalizing" to submit their applications.

MSc. Hieu commented that it is natural for parents to proactively choose a "new direction" for their children at this time. Of course, most parents want their children to pass the entrance exam to a public high school. However, when the exam scores are not as expected and the opportunity to be admitted to these schools is out of reach, students have to choose another option.

According to Master Hieu, with the 9+ intermediate level of Dai Viet Intermediate School in Ho Chi Minh City, students will study a 7-subject cultural program, ensuring a foundation for vocational training and national general knowledge. The school's enrollment target this year for this training system is about 150 students. To date, the school has reached about 50% of the target.

"When choosing to study a profession, students will be exempted from 100% of vocational tuition fees according to regulations. In addition, for students admitted in Thu Duc City, the school has an additional policy of supporting 15% of cultural tuition fees" - Master Hieu emphasized.

Many opportunities at private high schools

Ms. Nguyen Thi My Le, Principal of Tran Nhan Tong High School (Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City), said that after the 10th grade exam results were released, the school recorded about 20 students registering for admission.

Despite many positive signs, private schools are still facing many difficulties in recruiting students. Ms. Le explained that this year, 115 public high schools in Ho Chi Minh City will recruit 70,070 students, of which the total number of candidates registered for the exam is 76,435 (a decrease of 27,330 students compared to last year). Thus, more than 6,000 candidates will fail the public 10th grade exam. Meanwhile, about 80 private high schools in Ho Chi Minh City are assigned to recruit up to 29,000 10th grade students.

"Our school is constantly improving the quality of teaching. Specifically, the average class size is only 35 students, the facilities are spacious and modern. The teaching staff is qualified and always updated with knowledge as well as the latest educational trends" - Ms. Le introduced.

At Hai Ba Trung Secondary and High School (Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City), parents have also come to register to reserve seats for their children, and in many cases, have officially registered for enrollment. Ms. Nguyen Kim Loan, a school representative, said that the enrollment target for grade 10 this year is 200 students.

Ms. Loan commented: "10th grade admissions are always competitive. However, thanks to parents' increasingly open views on the private school model, it is easier for us to approach students who are suitable for the school's educational orientation."

Ms. Loan believes that many parents are increasingly concerned with the long-term quality of education, not the initial tuition fee. In fact, public high school tuition fees will certainly be lower than private high school tuition fees. However, if you analyze all costs (meal fees, extra classes, English enrichment classes, skills training, transportation fees, etc.), you will see that private school tuition fees are equal to public schools. Meanwhile, private school class sizes are smaller, students receive more detailed guidance from teachers, etc.

"At Hai Ba Trung Secondary and High School, tuition fees range from 4 to 8 million VND/month. Students study according to the standard curriculum of the Ministry of Education and Training. In addition, they also study IELTS English, skills subjects, STEM, participate in experiential activities..." - Ms. Loan said.

According to the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, in the 2025-2026 school year, vocational education and continuing education centers in the area plan to enroll 16,764 students in grade 10.

Mr. Pham Minh Tung, Director of the Go Vap District Continuing Education Center, said that the center's students mainly come from neighboring areas. Some students proactively applied to the center in early June 2025, before the 10th grade exam results were released. The center's enrollment target this year is about 500 students.

"With the GDTX program, students can completely participate in the high school graduation exam to get admission scores to universities. This means that although the starting points of students are not the same, if they try hard enough, make an effort, and are determined, they can completely conquer the university door" - Mr. Tung emphasized.

Considerations for selection

What many parents are considering is how to help their children continue to go to school, complete high school education, take the high school graduation exam or transfer to university. Depending on the family's economy , geographical location, and learning needs, parents choose a vocational education center, vocational school or private high school.

Master Huynh Trong Hieu said: "Regardless of the training system, the ultimate goal of studying is to grow up, find a stable job, match your passion and be able to develop yourself. At this age, children need to learn knowledge, learn to be human and improve themselves. If they do not continue to study, their future will be very bleak."

Source: https://nld.com.vn/tim-huong-di-moi-khi-biet-diem-thi-lop-10-19625062421135881.htm