Nghe An teachers commented that the reference exam for grade 10 has many innovations, increasing practicality.

Teacher Bui Thi Ngan - Literature teacher - Nghi Kim Secondary School (Vinh city):

New exam but does not create pressure for students

This year's sample exam structure has many changes. Previously, the reading comprehension section was usually worth 2 points, the social commentary section was worth 3 points, and the literary commentary section was worth 5 points. However, this year, the reading comprehension section is worth 4 points, the social commentary section is worth 4 points, and the literary commentary section is worth 2 points.

The current distribution of exam structure and grading scale is appropriate. For example, the literary argumentative essay is only worth 2 points with a time limit of 120 minutes, which is reasonable and does not put pressure on students when doing the test as well as during the review process.

This is the first year that the exam questions are based on the 2018 General Education Program. Therefore, the content of the Literature exam is based on materials outside the textbook program, including the reading comprehension section. This is not too surprising because since the implementation of the new program, we have identified this and have been teaching students how to analyze texts for a long time. At the same time, we equip them with the skills to do the test, not depending on sample texts like before.

Teacher Nguyen Dinh Nguyen - Principal of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Secondary School (Hung Nguyen):

Increase practice tests and participate in mock exams to assess students' abilities.

After having the sample test, we will group students according to their abilities to apply appropriate review methods and organize review in 3 stages.

Phase 1 and 2 (semester 1 and semester 2 until 2 months before the exam), the school focuses on teaching according to the program, combining light review in the main lessons. Entering semester 2, the review content will be systematized, emphasizing common types of exercises.

In phase 3, one month before the exam, students will increase their practice and take mock exams to assess their abilities. In the new context, the school also innovates teaching methods by integrating review into regular classes, taking advantage of class time to consolidate knowledge and instruct on test-taking skills. Outside of class, teachers will provide documents, exercises and guide students in self-study. Support tools such as Zalo groups and Google Classroom are also deployed to connect and support students remotely. According to the plan, the entire review program for final year students will be organized for free, ensuring that all students have the best learning opportunities.

Teacher Nguyen Trong Dang - Math teacher - Nghi Huong Secondary School (Vinh city):

Many practical math problems

Sample exam questionsMath has 3 new points according to the 2018 General Education Program with adjusted content, adding a section on probability and statistics. The test also puts math into practice more than using math to solve practical problems.

Although the exam is conducted according to the new curriculum, I think the teachers have grasped the spirit of the past 4 years and have adjusted their teaching, exam questions, and innovated in the tests and assessments. From the reference exam questions, we will assign experienced teachers with a depth of specific analysis and build a question bank. In addition to teaching in class, we will increase the number of homework assignments and correct questions for students in many different ways.

Teacher Ho Thi Ngoc Diep - English teacher - Vinh Tan Secondary School (Vinh city):

It's not easy to get a 9 or higher.

I have read the English reference test for grade 10 this year very carefully and generally I like the new test according to the 2018 General Education Program. However, compared to last year, the test is more difficult and with this test, there are not many students with a score of 9 or higher. The test has a high level of differentiation compared to the general level.

Overall, the structure of the exam has changed, from 50 questions to 40 questions. Although the number of questions is less, there are new types of exercises that have never been seen before, similar to the sample exam format of the High School Graduation Exam.

Specifically, questions 15, 16, 17 are questions that require students to arrange the dialogue. With these questions, students are a bit confused but in accordance with the new General Education Program, students are required to understand the dialogue to be able to answer. This is different from previous years' exams, which usually ask questions and students answer.

Or with question 32, instead of writing a paragraph, the test requires arranging a paragraph with 5 sentences. To do this question, students must have a large vocabulary, know the structure of a paragraph, and must be able to identify the thesis statement, the development (analysis) sentence, the example sentence, and the conclusion. This is also the differentiating question of the test.

In my opinion, the 40 questions in the exam from question 1 to question 4 are simple and recognition questions. From question 5 to 12, students are required to have a firm grasp of grammar. Questions 13 and 14 are questions about finding synonyms and antonyms and are not too difficult, so students should have a firm grasp of vocabulary.

In the remaining questions, except for some questions that I think are "very new" as analyzed, questions 18, 19, 20 are not new, they are the same as the old exam questions from last year.

However, the content of this question is very good, quoting an announcement and these are situations that you might encounter every day at school or in life.

From questions 21 - 31, it is also the old form but there is a change in the reading. Accordingly, the number of readings is reduced from 3 to 2. But the questions are more difficult than last year, with application and requiring students to understand the questions to be able to answer the whole question. Questions 33 - 35 are questions to correct errors in sentences. Questions 36 - 38 are questions to rewrite multiple choice questions. Questions 39 - 40 are questions that require candidates to combine a meaningful sentence...

With the new exam structure and new way of making the exam, I think that for the general students, this is not an easy exam. Like in our school, for a long time students have been studying according to the old structure and way of making the exam. With this new way of making the exam, we will have to change the way of teaching and learning. In the short term, teachers will proactively prepare the exam according to the new structure so that students can get familiar with the exam and practice more.

Students can see sample exam questions here:

Reference test for grade 10 of Nghe An Department of Education and Training: