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The 10th grade entrance exam in Hanoi always receives attention from students, parents and schools because of its high competitiveness.
Like every year, at the end of the first semester, students, parents and schools are all hoping that Hanoi will soon announce the number of exam subjects to relieve pressure and help students focus on reviewing and preparing for this important exam.
Is the fourth subject really necessary?
Several months ago, many provinces and cities across the country announced the number of subjects for the 10th grade entrance exam for the 2024-2025 school year. This made many students, parents and schools in Hanoi even more anxious and expectant. With the high level of competition in recent years, the early announcement of the number of subjects helps relieve pressure, helping students to review and prepare for this important exam.
In October 2023, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training issued the entrance exam method for the 10th grade entrance exam for the 2024-2025 school year. The plan to organize a common exam for students across the city with 3 subjects: Math, Literature, and Foreign Language was also finalized at the beginning of the school year. However, only the fourth subject according to the plan will be announced by the Hanoi Department of Education and Training in March every year.
Mr. Bui Van Tien Dung, parent of a 9A4 student at Ngoc Lam Secondary School (Long Bien District) shared: Hanoi City has implemented 3 exams in Math, Literature, and Foreign Language for students born in 2007 and 2008, which has been supported by public opinion. Although there is a reason for the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, in reality, admission by 3 exams does not reduce the input quality of high school students. If this year, the city decides to test 4 subjects, it is not necessary.
Phan Tung Lam, a student at Thanh Quan Secondary School (Hoan Kiem District), said that whether students take 3 or 4 subjects, they need to have early information so that they can proactively develop a review plan. Furthermore, the new high school curriculum allows students to choose a combination of subjects based on their interests and career plans. Therefore, the city can consider whether it is necessary to add a fourth subject.
Regarding this issue, for many previous school years, the Hanoi People's Committee has set the time to announce the number of exam subjects in March every year so that schools can basically complete the 9th grade textbook program and start reviewing for students. Furthermore, the Department of Education and Training believes that if announced early, students will study lopsidedly, neglect other subjects, and only focus on the exam subject. This will affect the input quality of high school level.
Proactive for all options
Although the Hanoi People's Committee has not yet announced the number of subjects for the 10th grade entrance exam for the 2024-2025 school year, it is noted that schools and students' families have proactively prepared plans to meet the requirements of the exam. Many families have had backup plans in case their children do not have enough points to pass the exam.
Head of the Department of Education and Training of Me Linh District (Hanoi) Nguyen Van Hau said that the district currently has 20 secondary schools with nearly 4,000 9th graders. Immediately after the first semester test, schools have come up with plans for teaching and reviewing for students. The arrangement of timetables, assignment of teachers, and arrangement of classrooms are given priority to 9th graders. At this time, schools still organize teaching of all subjects according to the school year schedule, ensuring that students do not study lopsidedly or memorize, and are ready to respond when there is information that the city will organize a fourth subject exam in the 10th grade entrance exam.
At Van Tu Secondary School (Thuong Tin district, Hanoi), by the end of January 2024, the school had organized 3 mock exams for 9th grade students to help them get familiar with the exam questions, exam techniques and especially the psychology of the exam room.
Mr. Pham Van Cuong, Principal of Van Tu Secondary School, said that the school has developed a detailed review plan for 9th grade students right from the beginning of the school year. To help students become more confident, even when there is a fourth exam, the school will organize about 7-8 mock exams. After each exam, homeroom teachers and the Board of Directors will meet with parents and students to discuss their learning situation, overcome weaknesses, and provide solutions for students.
Do Nguyen Minh Thu, a 9A1 student at Nguyen Trai A Secondary School (Thuong Tin District), shared that she was not too pressured by the exam because of the encouragement and support from her homeroom teacher and family. However, she still hopes to know the number of subjects soon so that she can arrange a more reasonable timetable and prepare best for the upcoming exam.
According to information from the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, the Department is researching and drafting a plan for enrollment in the first grades of the 2024-2025 school year, including a plan to organize the 10th grade entrance exam to submit to the City People's Committee for approval. The exam plan will be implemented to ensure the most convenience for students, in accordance with teaching conditions, contributing to improving the quality of education. Students can completely rest assured to study and review according to the school's instructions.
In response to questions from many students and parents about whether the city has a policy of adding points in the 10th grade entrance exam for 9th graders who won prizes in the city's excellent student selection exam, Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training Tran The Cuong said: The Department has and will continue to propose to the Ministry of Education and Training on a policy of adding points in the 10th grade entrance exam for students who won prizes in the city-level excellent student selection exam in cultural and scientific subjects for 9th graders; at the same time, research and propose timely forms of rewards for teachers with good achievements in nurturing excellent students.
