This morning (August 9), more than 31,000 candidates in Nghe An took the first exam of the 2020 High School Graduation Exam.

On the morning of August 9, along with more than 900,000 candidates nationwide, more than 31,000 candidates from Nghe An also officially entered the 2020 High School Graduation Exam.

Measuring candidates' body temperature at testing locations. Photo: Duc Anh

Compared to previous years, this year's exam is 1.5 months later because the school year has been extended due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is also the first time the exam has been held in two sessions.

The first round of exams will still take place as planned, from August 8 to 10, for candidates in areas not yet affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The second round will be held later, for candidates in isolated areas and candidates in the F1 and F2 categories nationwide (if any).

The Youth Volunteer Team helps candidates wash their hands with sanitizer before entering the exam room. Photo: My Ha

The 2020 high school graduation exam in Nghe An province has 61 examination councils with 1,406 examination rooms. In addition, each examination site will prepare 5 spare examination rooms in case of social distancing. To prepare for this year's exam, Nghe An has mobilized nearly 5,000 people to work as exam invigilators. Of these, 3,222 people work as exam invigilators and more than 800 police forces protect the examination sites.

Before the exam took place, Nghe An disinfected all exam sites and required exam sites to provide masks, hand sanitizer, and measure the body temperature of all candidates before each exam.

The 2020 High School Graduation Exam is the first exam to be held with the main purpose of considering graduation recognition. This is also the first time the exam has been assigned to localities to preside over and conduct, with the supervision of inspection forces from the Ministry of Education and Training, universities and the Government inspection force.

Candidates check information before entering the exam. Photo: Duc Anh

In Nghe An, the Ministry of Education and Training sent 212 officials and lecturers from Hong Duc University and the Vietnam Agricultural Institute to inspect and directly supervise the Examination Council.

In the first year of implementation, the results of the exam will also be the basis for admission to universities and colleges.

In this year's high school graduation exam, candidates must take three compulsory subjects: Math (90 minutes), Literature (120 minutes), Foreign Language (60 minutes) and one optional subject: Natural Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) or Social Science (History, Geography, Civic Education) with a test time of 50 minutes.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all candidates had their temperature taken before entering the first exam. Photo: Duc Anh

Hung Nguyen District Medical Staff Assist Candidates in Washing Their Hands with Sanitizer. Photo: Duc Anh

This year's exam is considered "unprecedented in history" as it had to be organized in two sessions and all candidates had to undergo a health check before entering the exam room.

At the examination council of Le Hong Phong High School, although there were only 361 candidates in 15 examination rooms, starting from 6:00 a.m., the departments serving the exam began to deploy their work.

Before entering the exam room, candidates took the opportunity to review the exam regulations. Photo: Duc Anh

Examination boards hand over the list of examination rooms and candidates to the invigilators. Photo: Duc Anh

One of the important tasks is for the medical team to measure the candidates' body temperature and wash their hands with antiseptic solution.

For the first time participating in serving the High School Graduation Exam in a very special context, Ms. Vo Thi Van - Hung Nguyen District Medical Center said: Our Medical Team has 5 people and is assigned very specific tasks to each member. Personally, I am quite worried because I have to do it on time, follow the process and follow the instructions. However, I am most worried about the health of the candidates and the biggest wish is that all of them have normal body temperature so that the exam is not interrupted.

At exactly 15 minutes to 7:00, the candidates were called into the exam room. Photo: Duc Anh

Due to the impact of the epidemic, it has greatly affected the psychology of parents and candidates. Mr. Nguyen Van Hao - parent of candidate Nguyen Lam Truong - class 12A1, Le Hong Phong High School said: In the past few days, we have been closely monitoring the epidemic situation and are worried about this year's exam.

However, up to this point we have somewhat reassured and trusted the organization of the school, all levels and sectors and believe that the exam will take place safely and smoothly.

Today, candidates will take the first exam, Literature, in essay format. Photo: Duc Anh

Before entering the exam room, the candidates were quite nervous. However, many candidates believed that the Ministry of Education and Training would “reduce the load” in this year’s exam.

Candidate Nguyen Thi Tram - class 12C2, Pham Hong Thai High School said: In addition to Math - Literature - Foreign Language which are the 3 compulsory subjects, I registered for the Social Science subject group to get the score to apply for admission to Vinh University, majoring in Preschool Education. Before the exam, I took a practice test, the total score was quite high (7.8 points) and I had reviewed the exam quite thoroughly so I hope I will do well on the exam.

Candidates check the posted Literature exam questions. Photo: Duc Anh

To implement the 2020 High School Graduation Exam, the Examination Council of Le Hong Phong High School mobilized 62 officers and teachers to work as exam invigilators.

In addition, the locality has also increased the militia, security guards and youth volunteers to ensure safety inside and outside the examination site and support candidates during the exam.

Literature is the only subject tested in essay format. Photo: Duc Anh

Teacher Nguyen Trieu Tien - Principal of Thanh Chuong 1 High School - Head of the examination site said: This year's exam, we strictly implement the "2 in 1" task, both ensuring exam safety and implementing disease prevention work. However, in the process of implementing Covid-19 prevention and control work, we believe in not creating pressure and confusion for candidates to create confidence in the exam. Before the exam, we also hope that candidates will stay calm to do the test and get the best results.

On the first day of the exam, candidates will take two compulsory subjects. Despite having to take the exam under special conditions, candidates said they are still confident and comfortable, hoping for a successful exam day. Photo: Duc Anh

Along with the Le Hong Phong High School Examination Council, this morning, 60 other examination councils across the province also fully implemented the procedures to enter the first day of the 2020 High School Graduation Exam.

On the first day, candidates will take two compulsory subjects: Math and Literature. In Nghe An, according to initial registration, 30,389 candidates will take the Literature exam and 31,034 candidates will take the Math exam. The examination council with the largest number of candidates in Nghe An is the Hoang Mai High School Examination Council with 830 candidates and 36 examination rooms.

The exam will take place on August 9 and 10.