National high school exam is still expected to be held
The national high school exam is scheduled to be held on August 8-11 with the main goal of recognizing the completion of the general education program.
At the meeting on the morning of April 21, the Ministry of Education and Training reported to the Government Standing Committee on the plan to organize the 2020 national high school exam. According to the Ministry's proposal, if the epidemic is controlled and students can go to school before June 15, the national high school exam will be held on August 8-11.
Delegates agreed to choose the option of organizing the national high school exam but focusing on the main goal of considering recognition of completion of the general education program (high school graduation) to assess the quality of students nationwide.
Localities will be responsible for organizing, supervising, and grading essay tests. The Ministry of Education and Training will create exam questions, apply information technology to strictly manage the exam, and continue to grade multiple-choice tests on computers. Universities will exercise their right to autonomous enrollment in accordance with the Law on Higher Education.
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam emphasized that although the main purpose is to consider high school graduation, the exam must still be organized seriously, objectively, honestly, and not be too burdensome.
 |
| 12th grade students review for the National High School Exam. Photo courtesy of My Ha |
Compared to 2019, this year's plan is somewhat different. The role of universities is not mentioned in coordinating participation in the stages of organizing exams, invigilation and presiding over the marking of multiple-choice tests. Assigning universities to preside over the marking of multiple-choice tests is considered an effective solution to limit exam cheating like in 2018 in Ha Giang, Son La, and Hoa Binh.
The consideration of graduation as the main goal of the national high school exam has been mentioned many times by the leaders of the Ministry of Education and Training, especially after the exam cheating scandal in 2018. However, most universities use the results of this exam as the main method for admission.
Every year, about 900,000 candidates take the national high school exam for graduation and university admission. Candidates will take three independent exams: Math, Literature, Foreign Language and choose one of two combined exams: Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and Social Sciences (History, Geography, Civic Education).
This year, students have just finished week 20 (out of 35-37 weeks) of school, then have Tet holiday and Covid-19 holiday. Currently, most provinces and cities have students on holiday until further notice. The Ministry of Education and Training has adjusted the school year schedule twice. The end of the school year has been postponed to before July 15, the national high school exam is on August 8-11, a month and a half later than every year.
 |
| 2019 National High School Exam at Ha Huy Tap High School. Photo courtesy of Ho Phuong |
Many universities have planned to organize their own entrance exams if the national high school exam is not held, such as: Hanoi National University, Foreign Trade University, National Economics University, Maritime University.