How to get a place in public grade 10?

The 10th grade entrance exam for the 2025-2026 school year in Ho Chi Minh City this year is being held in a variety of ways. However, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training still reminds parents and students of some important points.

Choose a wish that matches your ability

The enrollment target for grade 10 in the 2025-2026 school year of 114 public high schools in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to reach 80%, an increase of 10% compared to last year. According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, the enrollment target for grade 10 is determined based on many factors. This year, the enrollment target is determined based on the maximum capacity of each school, especially in localities with few vocational secondary schools and non-public schools, to create conditions for students to study at public high schools.

Grade 9 students visit, experience and learn about Ten Lo Man High School (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) before applying for the 10th grade exam.

In the 2024-2025 school year, Ho Chi Minh City is expected to have more than 88,000 students graduating from grade 9, a decrease of nearly 26,000 students compared to the previous school year. Meanwhile, the enrollment target for grade 10 has increased by 10% compared to the previous school year. Based on the number of students expected to graduate from grade 9, the expected enrollment target for grade 10 this year is about more than 70,000 students. In addition, two famous specialized high schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Le Hong Phong and Tran Dai Nghia, are also expected to increase their enrollment target for grade 10 compared to last year. Accordingly, Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted has increased its enrollment target by 70, to 525; Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted has recruited 805 students.

In the suburban areas of Ho Chi Minh City, the enrollment quota for grade 10 has fluctuated. This year, because Vo Truong Toan High School (District 12) is building a new school, the enrollment quota will be reduced. Therefore, some neighboring schools plan to increase enrollment quota to meet the demand for public grade 10 places for students in the area.

The 10th grade enrollment quota is a very important basis for students to set their wishes for the 10th grade exam next June. Mr. Nguyen Hung Khuong, Principal of Ten Lo Man High School (District 1), said that 6 important notes that 9th grade students and parents need to know to ensure a place in a public 10th grade are to clearly understand the structure of wishes. Specifically, students are allowed to register 3 wishes for public high schools, usually in order of priority (not including wishes for specialized schools). Next, students need to pay attention to choosing wishes that match their abilities. In which, wish 1, students choose the school they like the most, with a benchmark score close to their academic ability or slightly higher if they are confident in their abilities. Wish 2, students choose a school with a benchmark score slightly lower than wish 1 to ensure safety. Wish 3, students choose a school with a benchmark score much lower than wish 1 and wish 2 to increase their chances of being admitted. At the same time, you should avoid choosing all 3 options to enter schools with admission scores that are too high compared to your ability, which can easily lead to failure in all 3 options.

In addition, students need to carefully study the admission scores of previous years. Parents and students should refer to the admission scores of the last 3 years to have an overview of the admission scores of the schools. However, the admission scores may fluctuate every year, depending on the number of candidates registering and the difficulty of the exam. "Registration of wishes should be based on personal interests, strengths and distance from home to school to ensure the right choice, instead of just wanting to study with friends. In addition, students should choose a school with a convenient location, avoiding traveling too far, affecting health and study time" - Mr. Khuong said.

Pay attention to the admission method

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, the 10th grade entrance exam for the 2025-2026 school year has two admission methods. However, for admission, it will only be conducted at Thanh An Secondary and High School (Can Gio District) and only for students who graduated from secondary school at this school in the 2024-2025 school year. The rest of the public high schools will conduct entrance exams for candidates who graduated from secondary school in Ho Chi Minh City.

The admission method is carried out in 2 phases. In phase 1, students register for 3 priority wishes 1, 2, 3 to take the entrance exam for grade 10 at public high schools (except Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted, and VNU-HCM High School for the Gifted). In phase 2, depending on the actual application submission situation at high schools and the needs of high schools, the Department of Education and Training decides to recruit additional students and has written instructions to ensure the rights of candidates, on the basis of recruiting enough students for schools that are still lacking many students.

For the 10th grade foreign language enhancement, English enhancement will be implemented at many high schools. For Chinese enhancement, it will be implemented at the following high schools: Hung Vuong, Tran Khai Nguyen, Tran Quang Khai, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia. The French enhancement class will be implemented at Marie Curie High School; the Japanese enhancement class (first foreign language) will be implemented at the following high schools: Le Quy Don, Trung Vuong, Marie Curie. The bilingual French program will be implemented at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School and Marie Curie High School.

The HCM City Department of Education and Training also noted that for regular 10th grade admission, students can register for 3 wishes arranged in order of priority from highest to lowest (wish 1, 2, 3). If they are admitted to a wish, they must study in that wish and cannot change their wishes.

For specialized grade 10 admission, specialized schools include Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted and Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted. Both schools are allowed to accept candidates who have graduated from junior high school from other provinces and cities, provided that these candidates fully meet the requirements according to current regulations of the exam, the registration work is carried out according to the guidance documents of the Department of Education and Training...

Nearly 50,000 10th grade targets in non-public schools

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, in addition to more than 70,000 10th grade quotas for public schools, this year colleges, intermediate schools, continuing education centers, and non-public schools will enroll nearly 50,000 10th grade quotas.

Accordingly, students who have graduated from secondary school can register for admission to the above types of schools and submit their application directly to the school or center according to the annual admission periods as prescribed by the school or center. For admission to private schools, schools carry out admission work according to each school's proactive plan, do not enroll more than the annual quota and the admission application is in accordance with the regulations.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/lam-sao-chac-suat-hoc-lop-10-cong-lap-196250410214115172.htm