The trend is to choose fewer subjects to take exams in.

SUPPORT REDUCING THE NUMBER OF EXAM SUBJECTS

In early October, according to the Ministry of Education and Training's summary of feedback on the number of subjects for the high school graduation exam from 2025, nearly 60% of teachers in several localities participating in the survey (Ho Chi Minh City, Long An, Tay Ninh, Lang Son , and Bac Giang) proposed that the high school graduation exam from 2025 onwards should only include 4 subjects: 2 compulsory subjects (Vietnamese Literature and Mathematics) plus 2 elective subjects from the remaining subjects studied in grade 12 (including foreign language and history).

Candidates participating in the 2023 high school graduation exam.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, the proposed number of exam subjects has three advantages: it reduces exam pressure for students, reduces costs and time for students' families and society as a whole (candidates only take 4 subjects compared to the current 6); it does not create an imbalance between admission combinations, allowing students to dedicate time to studying subjects that align with their career aspirations; and candidates can choose 2 elective subjects to develop their strengths and achieve favorable exam results for admission to higher education institutions.

Previously, when the Ministry of Education and Training only offered two options for the number of subjects in the exam (one being 4 compulsory subjects and 2 elective subjects; the other being 3 compulsory subjects and 2 elective subjects), the majority of opinions favored the 3+2 option. However, since the addition of the 2+2 option as mentioned above, public opinion has shifted towards the option of 4 subjects, including both compulsory and elective subjects. This shows a general trend towards wanting to reduce the number of subjects in the exam, thereby reducing stress and pressure.

As one of many teachers supporting the 2+2 option, Ms. Cao Thanh Ha, an English teacher at Cau Giay High School ( Hanoi ), also doesn't feel "disheartened" that her subject will become an elective exam subject. She stated: "This option reduces pressure on students the most, while still ensuring that higher education institutions can use the results as data for admissions."

Many also argue that currently, students outside urban areas, especially in remote regions, do not have access to the same quality of foreign language instruction as those in urban areas, yet they are still required to take English exams, leading to very low results. Therefore, allowing students to choose whether or not to take this subject would be fairer.

Professor Pham Hong Quang, Chairman of the Thai Nguyen University Council, also supports the 2+2 exam plan and believes that taking two compulsory subjects, mathematics and literature, is appropriate, reducing pressure and costs. He argues that choosing a foreign language, history, or any other subject is equally valuable.

According to Mr. Dao Tuan Dat, Principal of Anhxtanh High School (Hanoi), the 2+2 exam format will balance the proportion of students choosing between natural sciences and social sciences. "In reality, over the years, more and more students have chosen the social science subject combination, leading to a shortage of students in natural sciences. This is very worrying, as basic science fields lack manpower," Mr. Dat said.

The proposed plan for the high school graduation exam starting in 2025 is expected to be announced in the fourth quarter of this year.

We need to prioritize evaluating the process rather than placing pressure on a single exam.

Associate Professor Chu Cam Tho, Head of the Education Evaluation Research Board (Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences), believes that the 2018 General Education Program in particular, and Vietnam's educational and human development goals in general, focus on developing students' qualities and competencies. Therefore, it is impossible to evaluate students solely based on achievements and final results.

According to Ms. Tho, with the design of the new general education program, students will have enhanced experiences, opportunities to choose subjects, and access to diverse learning methods (online, in-person, using technology, etc.). Therefore, hopes for the high school graduation exam from 2025 onwards will certainly focus on how to assess students' abilities in a modern, fair, and sustainable way.

To achieve this, Associate Professor Chu Cam Tho believes that graduation assessment should include the results of the learning process and the final exam (through the graduation exam) instead of focusing solely on the graduation exam results. Evaluating the results of the chosen cultural subjects in the exam is only one part; the rest should reflect the student's learning process throughout high school. Furthermore, the exam should aim for differentiation that is appropriate to the subject choices made by the students. This is significant in guiding individual development and academic pathways, connecting students to their future careers.

STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS ARE VERY ANXIOUS

It's already November, but the Ministry of Education and Training has yet to announce the plan for reforming the high school graduation exam from 2025, in line with the 2018 General Education Program reforms. 11th-grade students are almost finished with the first semester, but they still don't know how their 12th-grade graduation will be conducted.

Many educators say that not only teachers and students but also parents are very anxious about this issue. "We constantly receive questions from students and parents about how the graduation exam for the first cohort of students under the new program will be conducted, but my colleagues and I don't have any official information to answer. We can only encourage the students to focus on their studies and not worry about the exam," shared a teacher from Le Quy Don High School in Ha Dong (Hanoi).

Sharing the aspirations of teachers and students, National Assembly representative Nguyen Thi Viet Nga (from Hai Duong province), a member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, suggested that the exam plan should be finalized soon so that the Ministry of Education and Training, as well as localities, especially students, teachers, and schools, can proactively develop thorough preparation plans for the exam.

"The program has many innovations compared to the old program; from curriculum changes that lead to changes in teaching and learning methods; and from changes in teaching and learning methods that lead to changes in examination and assessment methods. Therefore, if there is no thorough preparation from early on, it is very easy to fall into a passive and confused situation," Ms. Nga analyzed.

Suggest a solution if option 3+2 is chosen.

The 2+2 option has the advantage of reducing exam pressure for candidates, lowering costs for families and society as a whole because candidates only take 4 subjects. The number of exam sessions is 3, a reduction compared to the current system. This option also avoids creating an imbalance between different admission combinations, allowing candidates to dedicate time to studying elective subjects that align with their career aspirations. The disadvantage of this option is that it may affect the teaching of history and foreign languages ​​– two compulsory subjects.

The 3+2 option also has the advantage of making the exam organization and the exam process less stressful for candidates; candidates only take 5 subjects. This option also provides a better balance for students in choosing subjects and exam combinations between natural sciences and social sciences. Being able to choose 2 elective subjects helps candidates develop their strengths and abilities, creating favorable conditions for using the high school graduation exam results for university admissions. The 3 compulsory subjects option is also a stable and long-term solution that has been implemented. However, a disadvantage of the 3+2 option is that it may affect the teaching and learning of history for students who do not choose this subject for the exam and may lead to an increase in the choice of the math, literature, and foreign language combination. To address this, if the 3+2 option is chosen, it might be advisable to add a condition that the history subject must have a final year-end grade of 5 or higher to be eligible to take the exam.

Master Ho Sy Anh

High school graduation in a streamlined manner.

According to the Head of the Quality Management Department (Ministry of Education and Training), the Ministry is urgently finalizing the plan for the high school graduation exam starting in 2025, submitting it to the Government for approval so that it can be announced in the fourth quarter of this year as planned. Based on the international experience of many countries regarding high school graduation exams or assessments, the Quality Management Department believes that a common point is that the method of testing and recognizing high school graduation should be streamlined; ensuring students have access to career options, choose careers that suit their abilities and interests, conditions and circumstances, and continue their education, vocational training, and evaluate the teaching and learning process, as well as other objectives.

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