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| Candidate information checked for the 2024 High School Graduation Exam |
One exam – two curricula
The 2025 High School Graduation Exam will take place over two days, June 26 - 27. This year’s exam occurs under special circumstances as the country is in the process of reorganizing local administrative boundaries and transitioning to a two-tier local government model. The exam operations follow the current three-tier system, but grading is to be done under the new two-tier model.
This is the first graduation exam implemented under the 2018 General Education Curriculum (GEC). The exam is streamlined with fewer sessions and subjects. Candidates take two compulsory subjects (Literature and Math) and two elective subjects. To accommodate students who studied under the old program, the exam includes a separate track for independent candidates following the 2006 GEC. Thus, a key new feature this year is the dual-program format: 2006 GEC (4 sessions) and 2018 GEC (3 sessions). Each curriculum has its own test papers and distinct regulations for printing, organizing exam rooms, supervision, grading, and graduation assessment.
According to Mr. Nguyen Tan, Director of the Department of Education and Training (DOET), organizing the 2025 exam under two GECs was highly challenging due to differences in number of sessions, exam timing, and curriculum content. The DOET proposed that the city’s Exam Steering Committee establish a separate exam board for the 2006 GEC for more effective management.
For the first time, test papers were transmitted from the test item writing facility to local printing points via a secure, encrypted line managed by the Government Cipher Committee. The printing process was conducted with extreme caution. The DOET duplicated the 2006 GEC tests first before proceeding with the 2018 GEC, to avoid errors or confusion. Teachers involved in this process were selected based on competence and subject knowledge, reviewing the test papers carefully before printing.
With the 2018 GEC offering many elective subjects, the number of test versions doubled (48 versions per subject), requiring high-security systems, adequate printing equipment, and qualified staff. This placed significant pressure on the test printing teams. During the elective subject exams, some rooms hosted multiple subjects simultaneously, requiring meticulous organization to ensure the right test was distributed to each candidate according to their registration.
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| DOET inspects preparations at test sites |
Tightening safety measures
This year, 13,946 candidates registered for the exam. Hue City set up 39 test locations, including Nguyen Tri Phuong Secondary School, which has 13 rooms designated for candidates under the 2006 GEC. The 2018 GEC has 38 test sites with 602 rooms (28 of which combine multiple subjects). A total of 1,778 personnel (excluding police, security, medical, and support staff) were assigned for supervision.
On June 23–24, the DOET conducted inspection visits to test sites in Phu Loc District and Huong Tra Town. At schools such as Phu Loc High School, Thua Luu High School, and An Luong Dong High School, preparations were basically complete. Facilities, equipment, safety protocols, and contingency plans were all in place. Exam room layouts, candidate seating, and registration lists were finalized.
Ms. Tran Thi Hong Hanh, Chair of the Exam Board at An Luong Dong High School, stated that 570 candidates would be tested in 24 rooms. Facilities such as lighting, electrical systems, fans, and fire safety measures were fully prepared. The exam board's work area was also equipped with necessary office supplies, sealing tools, secure locking systems, and standardized supervision forms.
To ensure exam safety and integrity, the DOET collaborated with city police to closely inspect printing sites and their security equipment. Plans for fire safety, security, traffic, food hygiene, health care, electricity, water, and unexpected events were all ready.
Mr. Nguyen Tan emphasized that preparations were initiated early, methodically, and scientifically by the DOET and local agencies. All procedures have been reviewed to ensure a safe and high-quality exam. He reminded all exam boards not to be complacent, as unexpected incidents may arise and must be anticipated. The city’s Exam Steering Committee is focused on preventing misconduct at every stage and ensuring the exam is conducted seriously, safely, and according to regulations.
Some test sites are far from students' homes, requiring candidates from places like Hong Ha and Huong Nguyen in A Luoi District to travel long distances. The Exam Steering Committee has directed local authorities and organizations to support these students and ensure they can attend the exam without difficulty.