10th grade admission in Ho Chi Minh City: Assessing actual ability

Persistently pursuing the goal of synchronous innovation

The City Department of Education has identified the 2026 10th grade entrance exam as a strategic step in the process of synchronous innovation between teaching and testing, evaluation, towards developing qualities, abilities and creative thinking for students. On October 22, 2025, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City announced the structure of the three subjects of Literature, Math and English in the 10th grade exam. Accordingly, the exam questions in all three subjects will basically maintain the same structure as in previous years to avoid disrupting teaching and learning.

Mr. Nguyen Bao Quoc - Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, said that this year's exam questions are completely within the 2018 General Education Program for Secondary School, focusing mainly on the content of grades 8 and 9. The exam questions are designed to assess students' abilities, not simply testing discrete knowledge but also the ability to apply, think, relate and solve real-life problems. "Students cannot memorize or parrot to do the test. They must know how to think and apply knowledge to specific situations in life," Mr. Quoc emphasized.

According to Mr. Quoc, in Literature, the test integrates the assessment of reading comprehension and writing skills, in which the content of the writing section is related to the text in the reading comprehension section. In Mathematics, the test aims to test mathematical skills such as thinking, reasoning, problem solving and modeling, helping students develop the necessary skills for high school. In English, the test focuses on assessing language skills through understanding and applying vocabulary and grammar in real-life contexts, instead of just memorizing mechanically.

Since the 2014-2015 school year, Ho Chi Minh City has oriented to innovate the exam questions towards assessing the ability to apply and creative thinking, instead of testing pure knowledge. This approach is completely consistent with the innovation spirit of the 2018 General Education Program. In the first exam after the merger, Ho Chi Minh City continues to firmly adhere to the goal of synchronous innovation between teaching and testing, assessment, taking the ability to apply as the center. The exam questions will become the driving force for schools to change their teaching mindset, from "practice questions" to developing real abilities.

“According to this orientation, teaching by cramming knowledge is no longer appropriate. Schools need to create conditions for teachers to innovate teaching methods, helping students to be proactive, creative and know how to apply knowledge into practice.

For students, it is necessary to master basic knowledge, study with a clear method and plan. Memorizing, rote learning or taking crash courses will not be effective. Learn to understand, study solidly, study with thinking. In particular, parents should not create pressure but need to accompany and support their children to confidently enter the exam," Mr. Quoc recommended.

Class time of students at Luong Dinh Cua Secondary School. Photo: NTCC

Do not let students be confused with the new exam structure

Ms. Thai Thi Thu Hien - Principal of Phu Hoa Secondary School, Phu Loi Ward (HCMC, formerly Binh Duong Province), said that the school has deployed to teachers, students and parents of grade 9 the content of the test structure, assessment requirements, competency tables, thinking levels and sample questions to guide the review. Professional groups have developed teaching, testing, assessment plans and appropriate reference question banks.

According to Ms. Hien, compared to the previous 10th grade entrance exam of Binh Duong, the Math subject has changed significantly when 100% of the questions are in essay form with 7 questions according to different cognitive levels. Although the basic knowledge is still maintained, the new exam focuses more on the ability to apply it in practice to solve problems.

For Literature, the structure of this year's exam is more diverse, focusing on a common topic but integrating reading comprehension and writing, not limited to knowledge in the 9th grade program; the length and level of thinking are also higher. English is assessed more lightly because there is no listening and writing section.

Ms. Hien said that the school will adjust the teaching plan for all three subjects to help students get used to the new structure. Math will increase application exercises; Literature teachers will flexibly change the order of topics, put review content up early so that students have more time to practice, and focus on improving reading comprehension, writing and logical thinking skills.

With English, students will get acquainted with the new format of questions through regular and periodic tests. “The school will actively connect and learn from previous schools in the Ho Chi Minh City area, proactively participate in training and professional development classes to improve teaching capacity and learning quality of students,” Ms. Hien shared.

In the old Ba Ria - Vung Tau area, Mr. Dao Vinh Bo - Principal of Nguyen Trai Secondary School, Rach Dua Ward (HCMC), said that the school has directed teachers to strengthen the consolidation of knowledge for students from this time, at the same time building a clear review roadmap, suitable for the exam matrix. Teachers are required to step up testing and evaluation according to the actual capacity of students, clearly understand the weaknesses of each student to promptly train and support.

“During the learning and review process, students only need to follow the teachers’ requirements, diligently do their homework, actively practice the questions and boldly ask questions when they do not understand. The important thing is to practice the methods and skills of doing the test, not to memorize or memorize the model. Parents should also accompany, understand and encourage their children, instead of creating pressure or scolding,” the Minister advised.

In the old Ho Chi Minh City area, Ms. Vu Thi Minh Hieu - Principal of Luong Dinh Cua Secondary School, Cat Lai Ward, said that the school was not under much pressure because it was familiar with the structure and content of the 10th grade entrance exam in previous years. Since September 2025, in parallel with the teaching process, the school has integrated review of 3 subjects: Literature, Math and English for students according to the motto "learn to where, solid to there".

“In addition, the school promotes online teaching and learning, develops content for students to proactively learn at home, and increases diverse exercises on the online system to support students in practicing, self-assessing their abilities and consolidating knowledge effectively,” Ms. Hieu shared.

Mr. Nguyen Bao Quoc said: “In addition to being assessed according to the requirements of the program, the 10th grade entrance exam in Ho Chi Minh City in all three subjects has the breath of life, linking learning with practice. Therefore, during the learning process, students need to know how to relate to reality, apply the knowledge they have learned to solve specific problems, instead of learning by rote or learning by heart.

For teachers, the teaching, testing and assessment process also needs to be integrated and linked with real-life situations in an appropriate and selective manner, to help students form and develop the necessary application skills.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/tuyen-sinh-lop-10-tai-tphcm-danh-gia-nang-luc-thuc-chat-post757183.html