Students in Nghe An are confused about changing exam subjects and exam blocks.

Difficulties when changing grades or classes.

In just a few months, Hoang Thi Tu Anh, a student in class 12D6 at Do Luong 1 High School, will begin her university entrance exams. To broaden her chances of getting into her dream school, Tu Anh is currently planning to pursue three admission methods: direct admission based on her academic transcript, and participation in a selection process.High school graduation examandaptitude testof Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Regarding the first two options, this female student wasn't too worried because she's a good student with high grades. However, with the Aptitude Test, Tu Anh is quite concerned because this year's exam has been adjusted compared to previous years, and there are subjects she no longer studies at school.

"

This is the first year we'll be taking exams under the new general education curriculum, so there are quite a few adjustments. Specifically for the aptitude test, in addition to the two sections in Mathematics and Literature, I will be taking a combined History-Geography and Biology exam. My biggest challenge right now is that Biology isn't an elective subject, so I haven't studied it in all three years of high school. Therefore, if I take the exam, I'll have to relearn everything and study on my own.

Student Hoang Thi Tu Anh, class 12D6 – Do Luong 1 High School

Tu Anh is not the only case at Do Luong 1 High School where students have to choose the "self-study" option because some elective subjects they registered for in 10th grade are no longer suitable for competency assessment exams.

Besides 12th-grade students, some 10th and 11th-grade students have also requested to change classes because, after studying for a while, they realized that some elective subjects were not suitable for their abilities or were not compatible with specific exams such as the aptitude tests or competency assessments of universities.

"

Typically, students requesting a class transfer are those moving from the Natural Sciences stream to the Social Sciences stream. We may consider requests from students who have just entered 10th grade. However, it is very difficult to transfer students who are already in 11th or 12th grade because the subjects taught in those grades are different, and they will struggle to keep up with the curriculum. If they are determined to take exams in subjects not included in the curriculum, they will have to study on their own or attend extra classes outside of school. The school will also arrange for them to take extra classes in other classes if they so wish.

Teacher Le Duc Hung – Principal of Do Luong 1 High School

At Le Loi High School (Tan Ky), in just two months of the 2024-2025 school year, the school received quite a few applications from 10th-grade students requesting to transfer classes for various reasons.

For example, Hai Dang (a student in class 10A7) requested to transfer to class 10A3 because he personally felt that "he was not suited to the subject combination and his abilities were not appropriate."

Meanwhile, student Huyen Trang, also in class 10A7, requested to transfer to class 10A9, even though her current class is the school's advanced class. The student explained that she requested the transfer because, after some time, she felt her abilities were insufficient to keep up with her classmates, and the subjects were not aligned with her future aspirations.

Besides 10th-grade students, some graduating students also requested to transfer classes. However, because the elective subjects are not uniform between classes, these students all had to write a letter "committing to self-study to supplement the knowledge and skills of the new subject curriculum to ensure they meet the required standards to continue studying the new subject."

"

The new curriculum has many changes, especially in the arrangement of elective subjects, making it difficult for students to choose. Students who change their subject group are usually those with average abilities, so they often choose social science subjects because they are easier to learn, making it easier for them to pass exams and graduate. Although the new curriculum has been implemented since the 2022-2023 school year, at that time the Ministry of Education and Training and universities had not yet announced the exam plan, so schools faced many difficulties in guiding students' choices.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thinh - Principal of Le Loi High School (Tan Ky)

To best meet the aspirations of students.

The 2024-2025 academic year will conclude the 2018 General Education Program cycle and will also see many innovations in the High School Graduation Examination and the aptitude and thinking assessment exams of universities. Accordingly, in the 2025 High School Graduation Examination, candidates will take four subjects: two compulsory subjects (Vietnamese Literature and Mathematics) and two elective subjects from the remaining subjects studied in grade 12.

Regarding aptitude and critical thinking assessment exams, most universities have now announced the exam structure according to the new curriculum, so students have more control over choosing their subjects and exam groups. Specifically, in this exam, in addition to the two compulsory subjects, Mathematics and Literature or Foreign Language, candidates can choose 3 out of 6 subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, or Economics and Law (depending on the university).

In response to this change, many schools have already begun conducting surveys and allowing students to register for exam subjects during the first month of the first semester.

"

We have had all 11th and 12th grade students register for elective courses and surveyed students who plan to take aptitude tests. Based on this, the school will arrange and organize supplementary classes that suit the students' wishes.

Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong - Principal of Nghi Loc 2 High School

Surveys show that for students who only need to take the graduation exam, registering for elective subjects is quite convenient, because schools have already advised students to choose subjects that suit their abilities, interests, and future career aspirations.

However, students taking the aptitude test will need to be more cautious, as the new curriculum offers a wider range of subjects to choose from. Students will register for subjects where they can excel and have a high chance of scoring well.

To avoid being caught off guard by exams and prevent students from transferring schools, classes, or grade levels, schools begin providing career guidance to students right from the start of 10th grade. Many schools even invite parents to participate so they can offer more accurate advice.

"

Before advising parents and students, the school established a counseling committee to arrange subject combinations that are suitable. Currently, our school has four subject combinations so that students can cover the three main exams: the high school graduation exam, the aptitude test, and the competency assessment exams. The counseling is based on the students' abilities and career aspirations.

Teacher Hoang Minh Luong – Principal of Le Viet Thuat High School - Vinh City

Regarding the choice of exam subjects, there has been a recent trend of more and more students choosing the Social Sciences subject combination, leading to an imbalance in subject selection and future career choices. Following the crowd or lacking clear direction often results in students worrying about changing classes or schools after a period of study. Schools, on the other hand, face situations where some classes are overcrowded, while others have insufficient student enrollment. Therefore, class placement and teacher allocation become very difficult.

"

From the beginning of the school year, we require schools to strengthen the organization of counseling and allow students to register for and choose subjects that suit their abilities, strengths, and career aspirations, ensuring transparency and openness. In cases where students register for exam subjects different from the elective subjects they previously registered for, schools are encouraged to organize separate classes for each elective subject or study topic. At the same time, schools should flexibly arrange the number of students in each class and create a suitable timetable to best meet the students' needs.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung – Head of Secondary Education Department, Department of Education and Training

My Ha