NEW REGULATIONS FOR THE 2025 NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION EXAM | HUNG VUONG UNIVERSITY OF HO CHI MINH CITY

On the morning of May 27, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) held a professional training conference on inspection and monitoring procedures for the 2025 National High School Graduation Examination. 

Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Mr. Pham Ngoc Thuong, announced that the 2025 exam introduces several key changes compared to previous years. Notably, this will be the first year the national exam is conducted under the new General Education Curriculum (2018). Additionally, the exam will accommodate students from two different education programs, including approximately 25,000 candidates still following the 2006 curriculum, which impacts the organization of exam rooms, test design, and security procedures. 

Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Mr. Pham Ngoc Thuong, stated that this year marks the first National High School Graduation Exam conducted under the new General Education Curriculum.(Photo: Van Manh) 

Deputy Minister Thuong emphasized the importance of preventing misconduct, citing areas like restrooms as potential hiding places for smartphones. With the advancement of AI and smart devices, even brief unsupervised moments could allow students to search for answers or guidance. "This is something we may have overlooked before, but now must pay close attention to," he stressed. 

He also reiterated that even small lapses in exam supervision can lead to significant consequences, underscoring the importance of diligence in inspection and monitoring work. 

At the conference, Prof. Huynh Van Chuong, Director of the Quality Management Department (MOET), outlined several key updates in the 2025 exam regulations for students under the new 2018 curriculum.  

The exam will be held across three sessions: one for Literature, one for Mathematics, and one for elective subjects. Students will be grouped by their selected elective combinations to optimize room and site organization. 

Graduation eligibility will be based on a 50-50 weighting between academic performance (school transcripts) and exam results, a shift from last year’s 30-70 ratio. Average transcript scores across grades will be calculated with weighted averages. Foreign language certificates will still be accepted for exemption from the foreign language test but will no longer be converted to a perfect score (10) for graduation consideration. 

Computer science and vocational certificates will no longer earn bonus points in graduation scoring. Foreign students may now use a Vietnamese language proficiency certificate to be exempt from the Literature exam. 

Another notable change involves the test format: exams under the new curriculum may be printed on A3-sized double-sided paper, reducing the previous 4–5 A4 pages used in 2024. Additionally, the break between components of the elective subject tests will be extended to 15 minutes, up from 10 minutes last year. 

Mr. Pham Long Au, Deputy Director of the Department of Professional Technical Operations (A06) under the Ministry of Public Security, highlighted the increasing concern over high-tech cheating devices in recent years. These include ultra-miniature earpieces, concealed cameras, and sophisticated signal transmitters. 

Representatives from the Ministry of Public Security also demonstrated how to identify and detect high-tech cheating devices at the event. 

MOET confirmed that it is working closely with relevant departments and units under the Ministry of Public Security to prevent, detect, and promptly address any cases of technology-assisted exam fraud during the 2025 graduation exam cycle.