Students find ways to adapt to new points in the High School Graduation Exam

New points to note

According to Circular No. 24/2024/TT-BGDDT, the 2025 High School Graduation Exam will have some notable new points.

Firstly, the exam will be organized into 3 sessions, including: 1 Literature session, 1 Math session and 1 optional exam session. Candidates will be arranged according to the optional exam combination to optimize the exam room and score. Compared to previous years, 1 exam session and 2 exam subjects will be reduced, thereby reducing pressure and social costs while still ensuring the quality of the exam.

Second, combine the assessment scores (report cards) and exam results in the graduation recognition consideration at a ratio of 50-50. The average score of the report cards of the years is calculated by weight. Increasing the rate of using assessment scores (report cards) from 30% to 50% to more closely assess the learners' capacity according to the General Education Program (GEP) 2018 (including many other capacities that the graduation exam does not fully assess). In addition, the report cards of the years 10 and 11 are also used (with a smaller weight than that of grade 12) instead of only grade 12 as before. This change has the effect of promoting teaching and learning right from when students enter high school.

Third, foreign language certificates will continue to be used to exempt from exams in graduation recognition but will not be converted into 10 points in graduation recognition as before; the graduation score calculation formula does not include foreign language points in this case.

Fourth, regarding incentive points, remove the bonus points for vocational certificates for all candidates; remove the bonus points for IT certificates, foreign languages, and vocational secondary certificates for candidates in continuing education. This content is to be consistent with the 2018 General Education Program, and at the same time create equality because students graduating from both formal and continuing education systems are all awarded the same type of graduation certificate.

Fifth, allow foreign candidates to use Vietnamese language certificates to be exempted from the Literature exam in the recognition of high school graduation.

Sixth, for the first time in the High School Graduation Exam, there is an additional method of transporting exam papers from the exam council's location to the exam printing locations of the provinces and cities via the encrypted and secure transmission system of the Government Cipher Committee.

Teachers and parents together

These changes have created a variety of emotions among 12th graders. Many feel anxious before their first exam under the new general education program.

Student Dong Sy Nguyen - Class 12D5, Nguyen Hue High School, Yen Bai City shared: "This year is the first year of taking the exam according to the 2018 General Education Program, so I am quite worried. There are many changes in the exam structure, the increase in the rate of using process assessment scores (report cards), the non-use of foreign language certificates to be converted into 10 points in graduation recognition as before... are new points that are not favorable, especially for candidates in group D like me, when I have prepared a foreign language certificate but I still have to review the Foreign Language subject to serve the university admission exam".

Schools have taken proactive measures. For example, Nguyen Hue High School, with 496 12th graders, has organized free review classes for students since the beginning of the school year. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy - Vice Principal of the school said that reviewing for students is the responsibility of the school and has a specific plan to help students master knowledge. Teachers are also working hard to accompany students to adapt to the changes.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Sau Anh - Math teacher, Nguyen Hue High School shared: "Currently, we closely follow the sample exam questions of the Ministry of Education and Training so that teachers and students can focus on reviewing. Understanding the anxiety of students, we always encourage them to focus on reviewing all types of exams, the more carefully they review, the better, with full knowledge and skills, they can cope with changes."

In addition, family support is also very important. Many parents have sought out tutoring centers, both offline and online, to help their children prepare best for the Exam.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hao - a parent in Nguyen Thai Hoc ward, Yen Bai city shared: "I always try to create a comfortable environment so that my children can study effectively. This is the final time for my children, I always encourage them to maintain a positive mentality, control their emotions, and not let pressure affect their confidence."

The 2025 high school graduation exam is not only a knowledge test but also an opportunity for students to express themselves in the context of changing education. Despite many challenges, with careful preparation and support from family and school, 12th grade students in Yen Bai are completely confident to pass the exam with the best results./.