Ready to overcome the gate of heaven

Focus on self-study

The 2025 high school graduation exam will not only test knowledge but also focus more on assessing the ability to apply it in practice. There will be many questions built from real-life situations in life, science, and society, helping candidates clearly see the connection between the knowledge they have learned and the world around them. Therefore, students need to focus on self-study to understand the nature of the problem and apply knowledge in practice instead of memorizing it mechanically.

Nguyen Quoc Vuong, a student of class ^12A1 , Da Kia High School, Bu Gia Map District, said: The content of the 2018 General Education Program has been innovated and is more difficult than last year, so instead of depending on teachers, most of us have raised our awareness of self-study and completed all homework at home. Along with that, the structure of the true/false test must be absolutely accurate.

12th grade students, Da Kia High School, Bu Gia Map district in Geography class

Similarly, Bui Phuong Huyen, a student of class ^12A2 , Da Kia High School, said: The new program is more difficult, so it requires thinking and promoting self-study methods, not depending much on teachers. Teachers only guide the methods, but knowledge and thinking are self-trained through practice. "This is the first school year taking the exam according to the 2018 General Education Program, so we are a bit worried. However, thanks to the preparation in advance, we are always ready" - Huyen shared.

Along with that, the high school graduation exam results are used for many different purposes, including the recognition of high school graduation, re-evaluation of the teaching and learning process, and the use of universities and vocational training institutions for admission in the spirit of autonomy. Therefore, the exam will be designed to clearly differentiate between groups of candidates. In order for the exam to ensure quality and meet the level and capacity of students, the Ministry of Education and Training has prepared in advance and published reference questions to help candidates get acquainted with the new exam format structure. This will help students have the opportunity to practice regularly to identify their strengths and weaknesses and improve their effectiveness.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam, Geography teacher at Da Kia High School, shared: Compared to previous years, this year's exam program is more comprehensive, including many parts. For Geography, there are 3 parts: multiple choice test, true/false test and short answer test. In particular, the true/false test and short answer test require students to cover all knowledge as well as have the process of understanding and applying quick calculation formulas. Teachers have difficulty approaching because there are many different subjects, so they need to coordinate closely with each other, taking advantage of all times and places to guide and support students, especially weak and poor students.

According to Ms. Lam, with the new exam content, it is difficult to get high scores, so it is necessary to classify the subjects. For weak students, coordinate with enthusiastic and meticulous teaching with basic knowledge; for good and excellent students, improve their knowledge for university and college admission. "To achieve high results, teachers need to closely follow the teaching plan of the ministry and department. At the same time, directly guide students to do exercises, solve sample exam questions to improve their test-taking skills as well as understand their weaknesses and strengths and find solutions to overcome them" - Ms. Lam said.

Many new points

Along with the content, the regulations for the 2025 high school graduation exam will also have many new and progressive points, suitable for the program's reality and will reduce much pressure compared to before.

According to the examination regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training, the 2025 exam will use a combination of process assessment scores (report cards) and exam results in considering graduation recognition at a ratio of 50-50, instead of 30-70 (report cards 30%, exam results 70%) as before. The average score of the report cards of the years is calculated by weight. Increasing the rate of using process assessment scores (report cards) from 30% to 50% to more closely assess the learners' capacity according to the 2018 General Education Program (including many other capacities that the graduation exam does not fully assess).

Grade 12 students, Phuoc Binh High School, Phuoc Long town, during a Literature review session to prepare for the 2025 high school graduation exam.

In particular, the report card scores of grades 10 and 11 are also used (with a smaller weight than grade 12) instead of only grade 12 as before (with the calculation: grade 10 x (multiply) coefficient 1, grade 11 x coefficient 2 and grade 12 x coefficient 3). This change has the effect of promoting teaching and learning right from when students enter high school.

The 2025 exam will have 4 tests, including 2 compulsory subjects: Literature and Mathematics and 2 subjects chosen by candidates. Thus, compared to previous years, this year's exam will have 1 fewer exam session and 2 fewer subjects. Thereby, reducing pressure and social costs while still ensuring the quality of the exam.

Accordingly, the exam will be organized into 3 sessions, including: 1 session for Literature, 1 session for Math and 1 session for elective exams. Candidates will be arranged according to the combination of elective exams to optimize the exam room and exam scores. Previously, instead of 1 room organizing 1 combination exam (Physics - Chemistry - Biology or History - Geography - Civic Education) for 1 or more registered candidates, now it will be organized for many candidates to take different elective exams/exam rooms (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography...). Candidates will take 2 elective exams in the same exam session but at different times (first exam, second exam).

Along with that, the 2025 high school exam regulations also change the incentive points. That is, eliminating the bonus points for vocational certificates for all candidates; eliminating the bonus points for IT certificates, foreign languages, and vocational secondary certificates for candidates in regular education. This is to be consistent with the 2018 General Education Program, and at the same time create equality because students graduating from formal and regular education systems are all granted the same type of graduation certificate. The regulations also allow foreign candidates to use Vietnamese certificates to be exempted from the Literature exam in the consideration of high school graduation recognition...

The combined use of process assessment scores (report cards) and exam results in graduation recognition at a ratio of 50-50 will contribute to improving the quality of education as well as the comprehensive development of students. Students will be motivated to study from the first years of grade 12, instead of focusing only on grade 12, thereby developing sustainable learning ability. Along with that, the high school graduation exam will be less stressful than before.

Mr. PHAM THE NAM,
Vice Principal of Provincial Boarding High School for Ethnic Minorities

With many new points, the Ministry of Education and Training has carefully prepared and announced the exam plan from the end of 2023; issued the exam structure format, reference exam questions for all graduation exam subjects in a direction suitable for assessing students' abilities; trained staff and teachers nationwide on exam questions, exam organization, technical training for localities; increased large-scale testing of the application of information technology in all stages of the exam...

In addition to enhancing review, improving students' self-awareness in studying, and practicing test-taking skills, the provincial Department of Education and Training has been organizing mock exams for students to get acquainted with new types of exam questions, new exam methods, and test their practical knowledge. This is also an opportunity for officials and teachers in the industry to practice exam organization plans and good situation handling skills so that the 2025 high school graduation exam takes place safely and in accordance with regulations.

Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/72/171799/san-sang-tam-the-vuot-vu-mon