Avoid mistakes when choosing subject combinations for grade 10

There have been cases where students have wasted a lot of time, even had to "start over" when choosing the wrong subject combination in grade 10.

Parents and students listen to advice on choosing subjects and submitting applications to grade 10 at Tran Khai Nguyen High School, Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of July 8 - Photo: NHU HUNG

Therefore, schools advise students and parents to research carefully before registering.

MT's Story

In the 2024 10th grade admission season, MT was admitted to 10th grade at a famous high school in Ho Chi Minh City. On the first day of school to complete the admission procedures, the school gave advice on choosing subjects but T. did not care.

"I was overwhelmed by the school's beauty, exactly as I had always dreamed of. So, instead of sitting and listening to advice on choosing subjects, I went to visit the school. I asked my mother to decide on all the necessary procedures and then I did them right away," T. said.

However, during the 10th grade, T. realized that her mother had chosen a subject combination that was not suitable for her. "My mother chose for me a combination of physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science. At first, I thought it was normal, but when I started studying, I realized that chemistry, biology, and computer science were too difficult.

I struggled to study, and because I didn’t like the subject, I became more and more discouraged. Meanwhile, I was under pressure to be an excellent student, so in addition to taking extra math and literature classes, I had to take extra chemistry and biology classes.

As a result, all year in 10th grade I only knew how to study and study, I didn't dare and didn't have time to join the skills club."

At the end of 10th grade, T. resolutely requested to change his subject group to social sciences . In the summer of 2025, while his friends were having fun with a series of extracurricular activities and playing, T. stayed home to study and take exams.

"I have to rush through three subjects: geography, economic and legal education, and fine arts to take the exam in early August 2025. I need to score 5 points or higher for each subject to be able to change the subject group, officially saying goodbye to chemistry, biology, and computer science," T. shared.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre, Ms. P.Ng. (T.'s mother) expressed regret. "My mistake was not thoroughly researching my child's curriculum. In the past, all students studied physics, chemistry, and biology. I also studied it myself and found it obvious.

Now for my child, I thought that if he chose the combination of physics, chemistry, and biology, he would have more opportunities to be admitted to university. Who would have thought that the new program would be so different now. My child planned to take the university entrance exam with block A1 including math, physics, and English, but he should have chosen fine arts, geography, economic education , and law to make it easier. The homeroom teacher said that usually students who change subjects only change 1-2 subjects, but my child changed 3 subjects, which was very difficult.

I think the biggest mistake when choosing subjects is that students choose based on their friends' and parents' wishes, not their own.

Ms. Vo Thi Hong Lan (Principal of Tran Khai Nguyen High School)

Input consulting

According to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training, after the end of each school year, high school students are allowed to change their chosen subjects on the condition that they must study new subjects during the summer and pass the exams for these subjects.

"Of course, changing subjects will be tiring for both students and schools. Therefore, the best way is for students and parents to consider carefully when choosing subjects before entering grade 10," an official from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training advised.

Perhaps for the above reason, most high schools spend a lot of effort and time on subject selection counseling for grade 10. "Our school trained 10 teachers to do subject selection counseling for grade 10 in the 2025-2026 school year.

Not only introducing and explaining the 2018 General Education Program and the importance of choosing subjects, these 10 teachers also have to clearly understand the regulations for the high school graduation exam, the admission plans of universities, and the high school teaching conditions of the school to advise students and parents on choosing the appropriate subject combination," said Mr. Duong Van Thu, principal of Nguyen Thi Dieu High School (HCMC).

According to Mr. Thu, the school divides students into shifts so that students and parents do not come to school in large numbers at the same time. The principle is to provide individualized counseling for each case so that teachers can understand the abilities and interests of each student.

Based on that, the choice of subjects will be more appropriate. In addition, the school board is also on duty to answer questions from parents and students when necessary. After the consultation period, students will choose a subject combination and submit their application to grade 10.

"At our school, after announcing the class list for grade 10, if parents and students feel hesitant, they can still meet with the advisory board to redefine the subject combination," Mr. Thu informed.

Similarly, Tran Khai Nguyen High School (HCMC) conducts consultation in three rounds. Round 1 is general consultation in the school yard with contents about curriculum, testing and assessment methods, high school graduation exams, and university admissions.

Round 2 is a general consultation on a smaller scale in the classroom, with students being guided to take personality and psychological tests for career guidance; regulations for choosing subject combinations, and round 3 is a 1:1 consultation round.

Ms. Vo Thi Hong Lan, principal of Tran Khai Nguyen High School, said: "After many years of observation, I see that the biggest mistake when choosing subjects is that students choose based on their friends, their parents' wishes, not their own. Parents should not force their children to follow the family's traditional profession, or the profession that their parents dream of.

Parents should analyze their children's strengths, weaknesses, interests, etc., then sit down and discuss with them, so that they can choose the subjects that best suit their abilities. As for students, they should seriously take the test according to the school's instructions, then talk to their parents, refer to their learning process at secondary school... to choose subjects according to their future career orientation," Ms. Lan expressed.

Running class

Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted allows students to choose subjects according to their needs. Each student at this school has their own timetable. In addition, many other schools are also trying to overcome difficulties to implement the spirit of the new program.

For example, Tran Khai Nguyen High School has only two subjects in each group: physics - chemistry; chemistry - biology; geography - economic education and law; physics - biology. Students will choose one group and the other two subjects are free to choose. It is known that Tran Khai Nguyen High School has organized "running" classes like this since the 2024 - 2025 school year.

Challenges for schools

The 2018 general education program at the high school level has eight compulsory subjects including: literature; mathematics; foreign language 1; history; physical education; national defense and security education; experiential activities, career guidance; local education. In addition, students will choose four elective subjects from the following nine subjects: physics, chemistry, biology, information technology, technology, geography, economic and legal education, music, and fine arts.

Allowing students to choose each subject according to the curriculum is a big challenge for high schools. Especially in the context of schools having many limitations in terms of facilities, classrooms, lack of teachers...

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HOANG HUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tranh-sai-lam-khi-chon-to-hop-mon-lop-10-20250709095231322.htm