Situations that need to be handled in grading literature exams

How to handle point difference?

According to the 2024 High School Graduation Exam Regulations, after all examiners have graded at least 10 exams together to gain experience and unify the grading method, the literature exams (which have been graded) will be graded in 2 separate exam rooms.

In the first marking round, the bags containing the test papers are given to the examiners by drawing lots. The examiners must check the number of sheets and cards and cross out all the blank spaces left by the candidates. Except for the crossed out spaces, the examiners are absolutely not allowed to write on the candidates' papers. The component scores, the overall score and comments (if any) are recorded on the marking sheet of each paper.

Papers that do not have enough pages or sheets; papers that are not on the correct paper; papers that have the handwriting of two people, written in two different ink colors, written in red ink, pencil, or have writing or drawing content unrelated to the exam content... will be handed over to the head examiner for processing.

In the second round of marking, the test is still assigned to the examiner by drawing lots. The examiner in the second round marks the test directly on the candidate's test and writes it on the marking sheet. The score for each sub-point must be written in the margin of the test right next to the marked point; then, write the component score and the total score in the designated box...

In case of a difference in scores between the first and second marking rounds (including both the overall score and the component scores, except in cases of mistaken addition of scores), the marking results will be handled as follows:

The examiners will mark the exams according to the marking instructions, answers, and grading scale of the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET). The exams will be graded on a 10-point scale; the odd points of the total score of the entire exam will be rounded to 2 decimal places. Along with that, the marking work will also be carried out: Marking at least 5% of the number of graded exams.

Also according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training, after announcing the exam results, the Departments of Education and Training shall announce the results and compare the results according to Clause 8, Article 58 of the current Exam Regulations "publicly announce the score distribution of the exams and component subjects, compare the average score of the exams and component subjects with the average score of the corresponding subjects of the 12th grade school year of the schools in the province"; based on Clause 7, Article 60 of the current Exam Regulations, general schools shall "compare the average score of the exams and component subjects with the average score of the corresponding subjects of the 12th grade school year of the students as a basis for innovating teaching and learning in schools".

Open answers, open marking instructions

What the public is most concerned about in literature is whether the marking instructions are "open" when the questions are given.

According to Professor Nguyen Ngoc Ha, Deputy Director of the Department of Quality Management, Head of the High School Graduation Exam Committee (Ministry of Education and Training), each exam has certain criteria regarding subject content, educational value, and orientation, which is the first requirement that the professional team determines. In addition to the suggested instructions, there is always an open section, if the candidate answers with other options, but in the right direction, with a developmental nature, it can be considered.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong said that with the subject of literature, creativity is always a difficult problem for examiners. There are papers that get high scores of 8, 9, and even 10 points when students have breakthrough creativity and are recognized by at least 2 examiners.

Hanoi is the locality with the largest number of exam papers nationwide, with nearly 109,000 candidates taking the exam. Immediately after the high school graduation exam ended, the official marking process was carried out to announce the exam results along with other localities nationwide at 8:00 a.m. on July 17.

The Hanoi Department of Education and Training said that the locality mobilized nearly 600 officials and teachers from high schools to participate in marking the exams. The exam marking area is safe and isolated, has adequate fire prevention and fighting equipment, and is guarded by police 24/7.

The examiners have been previously trained in regulations and rules and are professionals with experience in marking exams. They are absolutely not allowed to bring any means of transmitting and receiving information, copying documents, personal papers, erasers, pencils and other types of pens not specified by the examination board when entering/exiting the examination area.

Last year, with the same number of candidates, the whole country had only one 10 in literature. The average score was 6.86. The highest score achieved by many candidates was 7.