Students in Hanoi are feeling the tension as they await the announcement of the third exam subject for the 10th-grade entrance exam. With less than four months to go, students across the country are gearing up for the challenging entrance exam for the 2024-2025 academic year. While many provinces have already revealed their third exam subjects, Hanoi is still keeping everyone in suspense. This uncertainty has left many parents and students anxious, with some students even narrowing down their study focus based on speculation. Nguyễn Tô Đức Phú, a 9th grader at Nguyễn Trường Tộ Secondary School in Đống Đa District, Hanoi, expressed, “Not knowing the third exam subject makes me feel nervous and restless. However, I’m also worried that if I find out the subject and it’s not one I’m strong in, it will be very difficult for me to prepare and consolidate my knowledge.”

Despite this uncertainty, Đức Phú noted that teachers are keeping a close eye on students and frequently testing them in all subjects, given the lack of clarity on the exam subjects. “At home, I study all subjects extensively. However, I still have to complete all assignments and review everything I’ve learned, which adds a significant amount of pressure and worry for me since I have to juggle many subjects instead of focusing on just one.” If given the choice, he would select English as his third subject. “I perform well in this subject, and for me, English combines memorization and a degree of critical thinking, like learning formulas and eliminating different possibilities to assess the accuracy of a sentence.” He further explained the challenges other subjects pose: “If the third subject is Natural Science, many students will struggle with the three combined subjects, as the knowledge and formulas are entirely different, requiring substantial thought. As for History and Geography, there is a vast amount of information to memorize, making it hard to retain everything while feeling anxious during the exam.” Fortunately, during this stressful time, Đức Phú’s family has been incredibly supportive. “My mother is abroad but regularly calls to check on my studies and offers guidance. She is also willing to invest in extra classes so I can supplement my knowledge since the regular curriculum isn’t enough for me. Everyone in the family is very involved in monitoring my study progress and has promised attractive rewards to motivate me during my exam preparation,” he shared. Another student, Trần Nam Khánh, who is also preparing for the 10th-grade exam, has taken a different approach. He is working on eliminating subjects to focus his studies effectively. Khánh stated, “I’ve noticed that many provinces have announced English as the third exam subject, so I’m concentrating on studying this along with the mandatory subjects of Literature and Math. I believe my exclusion strategy is sound because in recent years, Hanoi has consistently chosen English as the third subject. Moreover, this year marks the first implementation of the new curriculum, which means the Department of Education and Training will likely create favorable conditions for us. My friends and I are all sharing this strategy. However, we still ensure we don’t neglect other subjects to avoid being caught off guard.” Parents in Distress Tô Hồng Phương, a resident of Gia Lâm, Hanoi, voiced her concerns: “Our entire family is anxious about this exam because it is no simple matter. The competition is fierce, and we have to strategize each subject’s preparation and choose our preferences carefully. A slight miscalculation can lead to completely different outcomes. I hope this year’s exam will include English, and I remind my child to focus on this subject.” Similarly, Lê Thu Huyền from Hà Đông, Hanoi, expressed a desire for any subject but urged the Department of Education and Training in Hanoi to announce the subject early so that parents, students, and schools can prepare accordingly. Nguyễn Ngọc Anh, principal of Thành Công Secondary School, shared, “Currently, our school is teaching the new curriculum while also preparing students for the exam. Teachers are aligning their lessons with exam preparation to ensure students grasp the material without neglecting any subject since the third exam subject has yet to be announced. We are sticking to our teaching plan according to the curriculum framework.” On February 12, a representative from Hanoi’s Department of Education and Training stated that they are actively working on a draft plan for admission to the first-level classes for the 2025-2026 academic year, which includes the 10th-grade admissions. The 10th-grade entrance exam will be conducted through a testing method, encompassing two mandatory subjects: Literature and Math. The third exam subject is expected to be announced in February 2025. The Department of Education and Training emphasized that this year’s entrance exam is the first under the 2018 education program. They will determine the timing for announcing the third exam subject and when it will be implemented to maximize effectiveness.