Accelerating preparation for the national high school graduation exam.

Editor's Note: The upcoming National High School Graduation Examination is expected to be a new exam with many innovations aimed at achieving two goals: assessing high school graduation and using the results for admission to universities and colleges. Following the official announcement of the regulations on the National High School Graduation Examination by the Ministry of Education and Training, Nghe An Newspaper conducted an interview with Dr. Thai Huy Vinh, an Outstanding Educator and Deputy Director of the Nghe An Department of Education and Training, regarding the preparation and new features of this year's exam.

12th-grade students in Vinh City attend the 2015 University Admissions Counseling Day at Vinh University. Photo: Doan Hoa

- Dr. Thai Huy Vinh, after more than two months of gathering opinions from across the education sector, the Ministry of Education and Training has released the official regulations for the 2015 National High School Graduation Examination, with many changes compared to previous high school graduation exams. Could you elaborate on the new features of this year's exam and your assessment of the Ministry's adjustments compared to the initial draft?

Reply:This year's high school graduation exam can be considered a breakthrough with many new features. First of all, the exam is called the "National High School Graduation Exam" with a dual objective: to use the results to certify graduation and assess the quality of general education, and to provide data as a basis for university and college admissions. Therefore, there are many new and different aspects compared to previous exams.

Regarding the subjects for the exams: To be considered for graduation, candidates must take 4 subjects, including 3 compulsory subjects: Mathematics, Literature, and Foreign Language, and 1 subject of their choice from the remaining subjects (History, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology). For high school graduation and university/college admission, in addition to the 4 required subjects, candidates can register to take additional subjects that match the subject combinations specified by the universities/colleges for admission.

Regarding eligible candidates: In previous years, only those who had completed the high school curriculum in the year the exam was held, those who had completed the high school curriculum but had not yet taken the graduation exam, or those who had taken the exam in previous years but had not yet graduated were eligible. However, this year, the list of eligible candidates includes those who have graduated from high school, vocational secondary schools, vocational colleges, and other individuals permitted to take the exam by the Ministry of Education and Training.

Regarding examination clusters: Clusters for candidates taking the exam for both high school graduation and university/college admission are organized by universities in coordination with the Department of Education and Training; clusters for candidates taking only the exam for high school graduation are also organized by the Department of Education and Training in coordination with universities. In addition, there have been many changes regarding exam dates, data management and usage, registration records, invigilation, marking, review of exam results, and graduation approval.

In fact, the recently released official regulations, compared to the previous draft, have made many positive and appropriate changes to reduce pressure and create favorable conditions for candidates, helping students avoid feeling overwhelmed. These include the abolition of the 20-point grading scale and the retention of a 10-point scale, allowing candidates to bring atlases into the exam room, and changing the failing grade from 2 to 1. These are also the things we hoped for and proposed to the Ministry during the consultation process, and they received the support of a large number of teachers, students, and parents.

A class session for 12th-grade students at Nguyen Duy Trinh High School (Nghi Loc). Photo: MH

- So, with a completely new exam format, preparation will certainly be more difficult. Could you please explain the role of the Department of Education and Training and the coordination with the leading agency (Vinh University) in this exam?

Reply:The roles and responsibilities of the Department of Education and Training, and its coordination with other departments, agencies, and Vinh University (the leading unit), are clearly and specifically outlined in Article 51 of Circular 02 dated February 26, 2015, issued by the Ministry of Education and Training (Regulations on the National High School Graduation Examination). In addition, we have identified the need to effectively carry out other key tasks such as: directing the implementation of teaching and learning, completing the curriculum prescribed by the Ministry; developing and organizing thorough review plans for students; evaluating and classifying students fairly, objectively, and accurately; coordinating with other departments, agencies, and Vinh University to advise the Provincial People's Committee on establishing the Provincial Examination Steering Committee; disseminating, studying, and thoroughly understanding the regulations and implementing the plan; establishing and directing the implementation of examination councils chaired by the Department. The organization is responsible for registering candidates for the exam, managing exam records, assigning staff and teachers to participate in the exam, reviewing graduation eligibility, and issuing high school diplomas; preparing facilities, security plans, and other conditions to ensure the exam is conducted in an orderly, safe, serious, and compliant manner. It also reviews and approves high school graduation and issues diplomas to candidates who registered for the exam in the province.

- One of the issues that students, especially those not applying to universities or colleges, are concerned about is the organization of examination clusters and testing sites at the local level, overseen by the Department of Education and Training. So, in the upcoming exam, what method will the department use to arrange the examination clusters?

Reply:On March 5, 2015, the Department issued Official Letter No. 272 ​​requesting high schools and continuing education centers to submit a preliminary report to the Department on the number of students who did not register for universities and colleges. Based on the compiled actual results, the Department will establish examination clusters, examination boards, and examination centers in a manner that is appropriate and aims to create all favorable conditions for candidates.

- Objectivity and honesty are also concerns for students and parents. So, what solutions will the education sector implement to ensure objectivity and fairness for all candidates?

Reply:That is our number one concern. The most important aspect is ensuring fairness among examination boards and testing centers within a cluster; between clusters chaired by universities and those chaired by the Department of Education and Training; and between clusters in different provinces and cities. I am certain this is the biggest worry for the Ministry of Education and Training... The Nghe An Department of Education and Training's stance is to coordinate and advise on the implementation of a serious, objective, fair, and compliant examination; the results of the examination will accurately reflect the quality of teaching in educational institutions. To achieve this, the education sector will implement the following solutions:

Organize teaching and learning effectively, ensuring the completion of the teaching plan as prescribed by the Ministry; evaluate and grade students accurately and objectively; absolutely no inflating grades or raising grades for students. Develop appropriate review plans for students based on their needs and willingness. Disseminate, study, and strictly enforce the regulations for the National High School Graduation Examination.

In addition, the department advised on the establishment of appropriate examination clusters and the accurate deployment of officials and teachers to conduct the exams. It also strengthened the inspection of teaching and learning to complete the curriculum, exam records, invigilation, and marking. Simultaneously, together with other departments and agencies, Vinh University advised the Provincial People's Committee to establish a Provincial Examination Steering Committee; and directed the implementation of the exam seriously, fairly, orderly, safely, and in accordance with regulations.

- With only about four months left until the official start of the exam, how has the education sector directed schools regarding teaching and learning? And in this crucial final stage, what advice do you have for parents and students to achieve the best possible results in the exam?

Reply:To prepare for the 2015 National High School Graduation Examination, from the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, the Department of Education directed schools to actively innovate teaching methods, focusing on fundamental and key knowledge in the curriculum. At the same time, it reformed student assessment and evaluation towards an integrated, interdisciplinary approach; ensuring creativity and linking knowledge content to real-life situations; developing students' qualities and abilities based on knowledge and skills, while also ensuring accurate student assessment and grading.

During this crucial period, I urge parents and students to regularly monitor information regarding the national high school graduation exam and university/college admissions to make informed choices about universities, colleges, vocational schools, or professional training programs that align with their abilities, aptitudes, family circumstances, and the job market, ensuring they can easily find employment after graduation. Equally important is for students to diligently review and master their knowledge, practice application skills, and remain calm and confident to achieve the best possible results in the exam.

- Thank you, Dr. Thai Huy Vinh, Distinguished Educator, for these insightful exchanges!

PV