Difficult but still choose, why?

The English reference test for the 2025 high school graduation exam is considered long and difficult, especially when it must be completed within 50 minutes. However, according to statistics from some schools, the percentage of students choosing English as the graduation exam subject is still overwhelming, why?

The English test focuses on reading comprehension skills, including 40 questions with changes such as removing stress questions, correcting mistakes... and introducing new types of questions such as placing sentences in the correct position, arranging the order of sentences in a paragraph.

Ho Chi Minh City students after taking the 2024 high school graduation English exam

Get an advantage by studying IELTS

Taking the sample test, Dieu Hoang Cat Tien, a 12th grade student at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School (District 3, Ho Chi Minh City), commented that the test was quite long with 5 passages and increasing difficulty, while the time limit was only 50 minutes. "I still chose English in the test group because I have experience preparing for IELTS," the female student shared.

According to Cat Tien, the test focuses on reading comprehension and vocabulary, the last two paragraphs require finding synonyms, antonyms, the meaning of the paragraph... similar to the IELTS reading test. Applying the skills of skimming, scanning and paraphrasing from IELTS, Tien analyzed the test and found better answers.

Studying at the same school, Dong Minh Khanh also chose English in his graduation exam because he plans to study abroad. The male student said that studying IELTS and SAT not only serves the study abroad application but also helps him effectively prepare for the graduation exam.

"With the sample questions, I applied selective reading skills from IELTS and finding evidence from the SAT reading section to fill in the blanks. Thanks to practicing for these two certificates, I am more confident with my vocabulary, especially since this year's sample questions have many advanced words," Minh Khanh added.

Le Uyen Nhi, a 12th grade literature student at Huynh Man Dat High School for the Gifted (Kien Giang), also has an advantage in this subject thanks to IELTS practice. The female student said that she accumulates vocabulary through IELTS reading passages and reads more English passages on social networks to improve her reading comprehension reflexes.

English reference questions focus on students' reading comprehension skills and vocabulary

Mr. LH, an English teacher at a high school in District 3, commented that although the 2018 General Education Program only requires level 3 (B1), the vocabulary and length of the reading passages in the reference questions are at level 4-5, even level 6 in some passages. "Those who have studied through IELTS will have an advantage because they have been exposed to vocabulary at level B1-B2, equivalent to level 4-5," said Mr. H.

Predicting the English score distribution in the upcoming graduation exam, the male teacher said that the score may decrease compared to last year because students are not familiar with the new format of the exam and many students' reading comprehension skills are not strong. "However, the decrease will not be significant because students who choose to take the English exam have carefully considered their abilities," Mr. H. informed.

Choose English because "it's familiar, easier than other subjects"

Uyen Nhi chose English as the subject for her high school graduation exam because she was familiar with the subject. "Since grade 10, I have focused on subjects in the D01 group (math, literature, English) to apply for the desired major. Therefore, even though the sample exam was difficult, I did not change my choice," the female student confided.

Ho Chi Minh City students finish English exam in 10th grade entrance exam

Nguyen Ngoc Duy Khang, a 12th grader at Kien Luong High School (Kien Giang), chose to take the English test because it is easier to get a high score. "I plan to apply for the Computer Networks and Data Communications major using the A01 combination (math, physics, English). This major also uses the A00 combination (math, physics, chemistry), but I feel that the chemistry test is as difficult to get a high score as the English test," the male student shared.

Mr. Le Van Thuong, head of the Foreign Language Department at Kien Luong High School, said that there are still some students who choose English because they do not know what other subjects to choose. "They do not choose social science subjects because they have to memorize a lot of knowledge. Meanwhile, with English, they have accumulated knowledge from before, so the choice is obvious," Mr. Thuong informed.

Regarding the review strategy, Mr. Thuong shared that the school focuses on ensuring that students have enough knowledge, without skipping any content in the program. Then, in the second semester, students will be given practice tests to familiarize themselves with and adapt to the requirements of the exam. According to Mr. Thuong, although the English textbook chosen to be taught and studied at the school is Global Success , he and the teachers also refer to the remaining 8 textbooks approved by the Ministry of Education and Training to supplement students' knowledge.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thi-tot-nghiep-thpt-mon-tieng-anh-kho-nhung-van-chon-vi-sao-185241102110532515.htm