Sprint to conquer the competency assessment exam

Study day, study night

Aiming to enter the Hanoi University of Industry, Nguyen Minh Tien, a 12th grader at Thanh Mien High School, is racing against three exams: high school graduation, capacity assessment, and thinking assessment. Tien will use the results of the high school graduation exam and capacity assessment to apply to the Hanoi University of Industry, and the thinking assessment to apply to the Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

However, to achieve this goal as well as have more opportunities to enter university, Tien studies day and night. His study schedule is full all week and quite stressful.

Tien said that at the beginning of grade 12, he started focusing on reviewing for the ability assessment and thinking assessment. Tien is taking an online thinking assessment review course that costs about 1 million VND and lasts 2 evenings/week.

“Currently, I only got about 50-60/100 points for the thinking assessment test, and about 80-90 points for the ability assessment test out of 150. This result is very low, I have to try harder. For now, I will focus on the ability assessment test in March, followed by the thinking assessment test. After that, I will spend time on the high school graduation exam. During this time, I usually study until 1am the next morning,” Tien said.

Similarly, Cao Quynh Anh, a 12th grader at Ninh Giang High School, is also sprinting to conquer the first round of the Hanoi National University's competency assessment exam in March. Currently, Quynh Anh has only scored about 80/150 points, to be admitted to the Faculty of International Economics of the National Economics University, she must score about 110 points.

Quynh Anh said that her tight study schedule leaves her with almost no time to rest. She has to arrange a scientific timetable to both review for the high school graduation exam and the ability assessment exam. Quynh Anh will also use the high school graduation exam results to apply for admission to the Faculty of International Economics at the National Economics University.

“Most of the time at home, especially in the evening, I spend time practicing for the competency assessment test. I accumulate knowledge in many subjects such as literature and history to get better test results because the competency assessment test requires comprehensive knowledge of many subjects. I often study until 12 midnight,” Quynh Anh shared.

Teacher support

According to a survey by Hai Duong Newspaper reporters, in addition to the national high school graduation exam, most 12th graders in Hai Duong choose the Hanoi National University's competency assessment exam. Other students choose the Hanoi University of Science and Technology's thinking assessment exam, foreign language certificate exams, etc. These choices have been increasing in recent years.

In addition to reviewing for high school graduation exams, many teachers also pay attention to supporting students to keep up with the above trend. Although they do not organize review sessions for students to take the competency assessment exam, teachers always provide maximum support for students to participate in their own exams.

Teacher Tran Van Ta, Principal of Thanh Mien High School, said that in recent years, the school has been one of the units with a large number of students taking the competency assessment exam and achieving high results compared to other schools in the province. Understanding the needs of students, the school regularly provides information about the exam, sample questions for reference, and integrates them into the subject to guide students on how to answer questions and enhance practical knowledge. The school always considers this one of the important contents of career guidance work and the school's responsibility for the output quality of grade 12 students.

Similarly, right from the beginning of the school year, Ninh Giang High School also announced the exam information to the education council and professional groups. From there, it provided information and advice to students and parents to prepare and have an early review plan.

Mr. Ha Huy Du, Vice Principal of Ninh Giang High School, said that in addition to consulting and guiding, some teachers also proactively learn about the competency assessment exam to support students in finding practice questions and integrating exam knowledge into their classroom lessons. Teachers are ready to answer any questions students may have regarding individual exams. In addition, teachers also encourage students to study solidly, thoroughly, and extensively so that they have the knowledge and reasoning ability to do well on the test.

Understanding students' needs for separate exams, in addition to directing schools to support them, the Department of Education and Training of Hai Duong has coordinated with the National University and Hanoi University of Science and Technology to organize exams to assess students' abilities and thinking in the province.

Mr. Do Duy Hung, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Hai Duong, said that in 2024, the whole province will have more than 5,000 candidates taking the Hanoi National University's capacity assessment exam, an increase of nearly 350 candidates compared to 2023. The average score of the capacity assessment exam of Hai Duong candidates is 77.7 points, ranking 5th among the northern provinces and cities, up 1 place compared to 2023. 2025 is the second year that the Department of Education and Training has coordinated to organize these two separate exams at Sao Do University (Chi Linh). Organizing the exam in Hai Duong will continue to create favorable conditions for students and parents in the province, saving time, costs, etc.