What do foreign experts say about the 2025 high school graduation exam?

(Dan Tri) - Foreign experts believe that the high school graduation exam is still the focus of Vietnam's education system, but needs to change when looking towards the future.

The high school graduation exam, held for the first time under the new 2018 general education program, is receiving mixed opinions about the difficulty of the exam and the uniformity in university admissions.

Many questions have been raised about whether this exam accurately reflects students' true abilities and helps them prepare well for future challenges.

Foreign education experts have expressed their personal views, through practical observations in Vietnam and many other countries around the world .

The transformation of the high school graduation exam

Evaluating this year's exam, Dr. Scott McDonald, Faculty of Business, RMIT University Vietnam, commented that the exam has changed significantly, from a rigid, uniform model to a more flexible one.

Allowing students to choose subjects that match their strengths is seen as a positive step forward, opening up a personalized approach to an exam that was previously completely standardized.

“The introduction of elective subjects is a significant improvement, allowing students to develop their strengths and choose the areas in which they are most confident,” he said.

From left: Mr. Melvin Fernando, Dr. Scott McDonald, Dr. Jung Woo Han (Photo: RMIT).

Sharing the same view, Mr. Melvin Fernando, Senior Manager of Career Guidance and Industry Relations at RMIT Vietnam, commented that this reform has shifted the focus from rote learning to applied knowledge and critical thinking.

Students are expected to demonstrate practical problem-solving skills, with exam formats varying significantly in subjects such as math and language arts.

“Although these changes make the exam more complicated, they also help to assess students' abilities more realistically,” said Mr. Melvin Fernando.

Continued improvement for more comprehensive assessment

Dr. McDonald believes that the traditional testing model, which is heavily weighted toward “all or nothing” and rote learning, fails to assess in-depth learning or the ability to apply it in practice.

He asked: “Most candidates memorize knowledge just to take the exam, then forget it a few weeks later. So what do those tests ultimately measure?”

The doctor suggests a more balanced approach, which is to reduce multiple-choice questions and replace them with assessments based on real-life situations, analytical exercises and contextual problem-solving.

According to him, high school needs to focus more on training basic skills for university and work, especially critical thinking and problem-solving ability.

“These skills are often overlooked in traditional exams, but are critical for success in college and in the workplace. If we shift the focus from rote memorization to application, exams will actually better prepare students for the challenges ahead,” he asserted.

Candidates taking the 2025 high school graduation exam (Photo: Manh Quan).

While praising recent reforms, Mr. Fernando said there was still room for improvement.

He proposed expanding assessment forms, reducing pressure with regular tests during the school year, integrating career-focused subjects such as life skills, digital literacy or entrepreneurship, and investing more in students' mental health.

According to Mr. Fernando, these changes not only reflect the diversity of students' abilities but also help reduce the heavy pressure from a single decisive exam.

From a Korean perspective, Dr. Jung Woo Han cited the changing admissions model in the country, where more and more universities consider students' achievements holistically.

In addition to traditional academic results, schools consider volunteer work, projects, leadership roles, and personal essays. In addition, Korea has a separate admission quota for students with outstanding achievements in science , sports, or the arts.

This diversification helps increase fairness in admissions, reduces pressure from a single exam, and encourages students to develop comprehensively and engage with the community.

Foreign experts say the high school graduation exam is still the focus of Vietnam's education system, but needs to change when looking towards the future (Illustration photo: Hai Long).

Dr. Han recommends that Vietnam should gradually apply a comprehensive assessment model, especially in university admissions. According to him, there should be a policy to recognize non-academic achievements and support high schools to build student profiles throughout the school year.

Expanding access to psychological counseling services, especially in rural or underserved areas, is also essential to ensure that students are viewed as whole people, not just as candidates.

The high school graduation exam remains the centerpiece of Vietnam’s education system, but it needs to transform as we look to the future. An assessment system that recognizes achievement and unlocks potential will accurately reflect students’ abilities and, more importantly, prepare them to adapt and thrive in a constantly changing world.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/chuyen-gia-nuoc-ngoai-noi-gi-ve-ky-thi-tot-nghiep-thpt-2025-20250701165628916.htm