Students and parents in Hanoi anxiously wait for the final results of the 10th grade entrance exam.

"With each passing day, my child and I become more worried. I hope the Hanoi Department of Education and Training will finalize the exam subjects soon so that we can prepare our child mentally and plan the best review," said Nguyen Thi Huong (Cau Giay District).

This year, Ms. Huong's child registered to take the entrance exam to Cau Giay High School with the standard score of previous years being quite high. Therefore, she wants her children to only have to take three subjects: Math, Literature and English.

Previously, students born in 2007 and 2008 took three exams. According to this parent, taking four exams was unnecessary because in previous years, organizing three exams was successful, accurately assessing the quality of students and ensuring the source of admission for schools.

Students and parents in Hanoi anxiously wait for the announcement of the subjects for the 10th grade entrance exam. (Illustration photo)

Sharing the same opinion with Ms. Huong, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc (Nghia Tan ward, Cau Giay district) said that the entrance exam for public grade 10 in Hanoi is always considered fierce, causing psychological pressure for both parents and candidates.

This year is the last year that 9th graders study and take exams under the old general education program. Next year, when they enter 10th grade, they will study under the new program, and will be able to choose subjects based on their abilities and strengths.

To prepare for the upcoming 10th grade exam, since the 8th grade, her son has focused highly on studying. Especially at this time, most of his regular and extra classes are full every week. In addition to the 2 classes in class, her son attends all extra classes in Math, Literature, and English, 2 sessions for each subject.

"My son chose to register for Duong Quang Ham High School with the desire to study near home, convenient for commuting," said Ms. Ngoc, hoping that the city would consider taking three subjects in this year's exam to reduce stress and pressure on students.

Vu Anh Minh, whose child is in grade 9 at Dong Da Secondary School (Dong Da District), is eagerly awaiting the announcement from the Hanoi Department of Education and Training about whether or not there will be a fourth subject. "I personally hope that my children only need to take three subjects: Math, Literature and Foreign Language, which is reasonable," he said.

In addition to the three subjects of Math, Literature, and English, his child also has to study day and night for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Civic Education, History, and Geography. Because he loves his child, he visits the Hanoi Department of Education and Training website every day to keep up with the latest news and announcements.

Nguyen Yen Linh, a 9th grade student at Minh Khai Secondary School (Hai Ba Trung District), shared that the Lunar New Year holiday has just ended, but this year she did not have many memorable memories other than focusing on studying for the exam. "This year, I only went to wish my grandparents a happy new year, and I could not go out or travel with my family because I had to take advantage of the time to review and practice exam questions," Linh said.

According to Linh, the fact that the Hanoi Department of Education and Training only announced the exam subjects in March is quite late, putting pressure on students across the city to review many subjects instead of announcing them early like other provinces and cities.

"I am good at Literature and English but not good at Math. I am more inclined towards social subjects, so I am worried if I have to take a fourth exam, Physics or Chemistry," the female student said. She aims to get into Viet Duc High School or Tran Phu High School.

According to information from the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, regarding the admission method for grade 10 public high schools in the 2024-2025 school year, Hanoi will apply the entrance exam method, including three compulsory subjects: Math, Literature and Foreign Language.

The fourth subject, if any, will be announced in March 2024. The fourth subject will be selected by random drawing from among the subjects in the current secondary education program of the Ministry of Education and Training.

In the 2023-2024 school year, the 10th grade entrance exam for public high schools in Hanoi will take place on June 10 and 11, 2023, with three subjects including Math, Literature and Foreign Language.

Khanh Son

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