As the academic calendar transitions towards the 2025-2026 school year, Hanoi's 9th graders are preparing for a significant milestone: admission to upper secondary school. On April 18, 2025, students will submit their "Registration Form for Enrollment in 10th Grade of Upper Secondary School" at their respective secondary schools and continuing education centers.
The Department of Education and Training in Hanoi emphasizes that each student may register for a maximum of three public high schools. This selection must be ranked according to their preferences—first, second, and third. The first and second choices must belong to designated enrollment zones, while the third can lie in any designated area. This flexibility aims to accommodate students' preferences while adhering to regional enrollment regulations.
The entrance examinations for the 10th grade will occur on June 7 and 8, 2025. Students aiming to attend specialized schools will take an additional subject exam on June 9. This multi-day testing schedule underscores the importance of these examinations in determining educational futures.
For public high schools, students will be tested in three subjects: Mathematics (120 minutes), Literature (120 minutes), and a Foreign Language (60 minutes). Students can select from five foreign languages: English, French, German, Japanese, or Korean. Notably, students are not required to continue with the foreign language they have studied in school; instead, they can choose based on their comfort and capabilities. However, those who have been learning German for seven years must take the German exam to continue in the same program.
Following the registration submissions, no changes to preferences are permitted. Students must confirm their enrollment and submit their documents by July 22, 2025, solidifying their place in the school system.
The atmosphere surrounding these exams is both exciting and nerve-wracking, as students vary in their readiness. Many have been attending preparatory courses, while others are relying on their school education to navigate this critical juncture. The Department of Education underscores the seriousness of this process and insists that schools provide guidance to students regarding their applications and the structure of the examination.
To clarify the scoring system for the entrance exams, each of the three subjects will carry equal weight before any additional points for priority or encouragement, which may be added based on regional quotas or other criteria. For specialized schools, the calculation of scores will be slightly different; the results from the three common subjects will be combined with the specific subject tests, with the latter weighted more heavily in the final assessment.
Students keen on applying to specialized schools, which are limited to certain institutions, can have two preference choices; that is, they can opt for two different specialized schools or two preferences at the same school. This unique arrangement allows students focused on intensive studies in certain fields to plan accordingly, while also providing the option to enter the traditional curriculum where they may feel they have a better chance of success.
Additionally, private schools in Hanoi are also in the midst of their enrollment processes. Starting from April 21, students may apply for admission via online systems that many institutions are adopting. The regulations allow students to choose their admission pathways, whether based on previous academic performance or through entrance exam results.
With deadlines rapidly approaching and preparations intensifying, the spirit of competition will likely heighten among students. Schools are tasked with conducting a thorough and comprehensive admissions process to ensure that students are well-informed and that the exam processes run without a hitch. Success in these exams can become pivotal in shaping students' educational paths, leading them towards advanced studies or specialized careers.
In conclusion, the upcoming high school admissions process in Hanoi is shaping up to be a defining moment for many students. As the April deadline for submitting registration forms looms closer, schools and families are preparing to navigate this crucial transition with a combination of anticipation and anxiety. The emphasis on preparation and adherence to the regulations underscores the importance of these examinations, marking them as a significant rite of passage in Vietnamese education.
