A testament to excellent organization!

(Baonghean)Yesterday (July 10th), candidates completed the final exam of the second phase, concluding the 2013 University Entrance Examination. According to the assessment of the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education and Training at the conference summarizing the 2013 University Entrance Examination in the Vinh examination cluster, the exam was conducted safely, seriously, and in accordance with regulations; and was successful in all aspects…

Safe, serious, and in accordance with regulations.

At 10:30 AM on July 10th, after the drum signaled the end of the exam at the C and D subject groups, the 2013 university entrance exam concluded. Present at the Vinh Medical University exam site, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Anh Tuan – Deputy Director of the Higher Education Department, Ministry of Education and Training, supervising the inter-school exam council in the Vinh cluster – stated: “It can be affirmed that the 2013 university entrance exam in the Vinh cluster took place safely, seriously, and in accordance with regulations. We highly appreciate the thorough preparation in all aspects by the Vinh cluster; we acknowledge the support and active participation of the provincial leaders, all levels and sectors, and the local people, which significantly contributed to the smooth and safe conduct of the exam. We highly appreciate the volunteer spirit of the youth and students, and the joint efforts of units, organizations, and individuals who provided support to the candidates during the exam days…”

Associate Professor Dr. Dinh Xuan Khoa - Head of the Vinh examination cluster, stated that this was a successful exam as expected, with the lowest number of "ghost" candidates ever (67% of candidates actually took the exam). Only 4 students were suspended in both exam sessions (1 in the first session, 3 in the second), and no invigilators violated regulations. Exam room discipline at all testing locations was strictly enforced with the participation of 2-3 police officers outside and security personnel inside.

In each examination room, in addition to the two main invigilators, there are also border invigilators and supervisors to coordinate and handle any unexpected incidents. The printing, storage, and transportation of exam papers are ensured to be absolutely confidential. Representatives from the Ministry of Education and Training assessed that the Vinh examination cluster is one of the best in the country in many aspects and criteria. Here, in addition to the close coordination between universities and the steering committee, there is also the attention, assistance, and close and timely guidance of the provincial leaders and localities with examination centers. While in previous years, the Vinh cluster experienced some minor errors in procedures, paperwork, or localized power and water outages, this year, no incidents occurred…

To ensure the success of the exam, from the beginning of 2013, Vinh University coordinated with the People's Committee of Nghe An province and units including Vinh City, Nghi Loc, Cua Lo, and Hung Nguyen to survey facilities, only using universities, colleges, high schools, continuing education centers, and junior high schools that met the requirements for organizing the exam, and not holding exams in primary schools. The Vinh cluster steering committee coordinated with PA83 - Nghe An Provincial Police to survey locations for printing and copying exam papers, and developed a security plan for the exam with the participation of the Vinh City Police and the districts with exam centers.

By mid-June, under the chairmanship of the Provincial People's Committee, Vinh University held meetings with universities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and relevant agencies and departments such as the Provincial Police, the Provincial Youth Union, and the Department of Education and Training to finalize the entire content of the exam; at the same time, they developed contingency plans and provided guidance on how to handle any incidents that might occur. During the exam days, the Exam Steering Committee and mobile inspection teams from the Ministry, Clusters, and Department of Education and Training closely monitored the exam sites to supervise and promptly correct any shortcomings or errors.

The invigilator explained the exam regulations to the candidates at the Vinh University examination center.

The exam questions are highly practical and effectively differentiate candidates.

After two rounds of this year's university entrance exams, the content of the questions was highly praised by both candidates and subject matter experts for its ability to differentiate and identify problems. While the Geography exam surprised candidates with two direct and one indirect question about the East Sea, the Literature exam for Group C was considered "challenging." In particular, the essay section, which required candidates to express their life philosophy based on Professor Tran Dinh Huou's comment on Vietnamese traditional lifestyles: "We do not praise intelligence but rather cleverness. Cleverness means eating first, wading through water afterward, knowing how to defend oneself, protecting oneself, and resolving difficult situations," was considered difficult, requiring candidates to have a broad understanding of Vietnamese history and culture, as well as the ability to relate it to their own experiences.

Similarly, the literature exam for group D also required candidates to discuss and express their views on life based on the observation of a Vietnamese expatriate: “Most Vietnamese people are passive, followers rather than pioneers. If someone goes first and tries something, I will follow, but I will never be the one to lead. Social pressure forces you to follow a pre-determined path.” This type of question requires candidates to be creative in their perspective and answers. Only those with broad social knowledge and skillful connections can score highly on this question. Dang Trong Bao, a history teacher at Tan Ky Ethnic Boarding School, commented that the history exam covered a fairly broad range of knowledge but was not difficult; candidates who studied diligently and memorized carefully could easily score 6-7 points. Some candidates taking the B-group exams commented that the Math, Biology, and Chemistry exams all covered knowledge from textbooks, but only truly excellent and skilled candidates could achieve high scores…

Diverse forms of support for candidates

During the two university entrance exams this year, Vinh City was unusually vibrant and bustling with nearly 50,000 candidates and a similar number of family members from four provinces who came to participate in the two exam sessions. However, both the candidates' families and the people of Vinh City agreed that this year's exam was smoother than in previous years. Most services such as food, accommodation, and parking did not increase in price, and services that usually cater to exam season, such as selling answer keys or distributing leaflets, were less prevalent.

This year's exam season saw nearly 2,500 young people and students volunteer to support the exam season, not to mention numerous volunteer teams from wards and communes, hometown associations, and online forums ready to assist candidates in various ways, such as providing accommodation, water, and free transportation. The "Free Meal" program continues to receive support and partnership from businesses and temples to help candidates have delicious, clean, and hygienic meals.

During the two exam periods, 5,000 free meals and 6,000 bottles of mineral water and soft drinks were provided to support candidates and their families. Before the exams, volunteer teams surveyed 5,000 free and affordable accommodations for candidates and their families around the exam locations. During the two exam periods, nearly 14,500 candidates and their families received advice, and nearly 16,000 candidates had their belongings safely stored for free. Free motorbike taxi teams completed nearly 2,500 trips serving candidates and their families. The friendly and affordable motorbike taxi service, launched for the first time by the City Youth Union, is gradually becoming professional and a trusted choice for candidates and their families at bus and train stations.

This year's university entrance exam has officially concluded, and students are leaving the exam centers with mixed feelings. Some are certain of their university admission, while others are still hesitant and worried that the minimum admission score and entrance requirements will be higher than in previous years. Some who did not perform well on the exam are pinning their hopes on the college entrance exam on July 15th and 16th.

Text and photos: Thanh Phuc - Nguyen Khoa