Nguyễn Bảo Quốc, deputy director of HCM City Department of Education and Training. Photo courtesy of sggp.org.vn

HCM CITY - The high school graduation exam in 2022 has many new features compared to previous exams. Nguyễn Bảo Quốc, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Education and Training, recently shared some insights and advice for candidates for the official exam on July 6, 7 and 8.

What is new in this year's high school graduation exam? What should candidates pay attention to?

Based on the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training, there are a total of four new features. First, it is compulsory for 12th graders to register for the exam online.

Second, candidates apply for the university entrance examination after the high school graduation exam and register their desired faculties only once after receiving the results of the graduation exam.

Third, candidates who participate in the university entrance examination, regardless of the type of examination, such as academic records, direct admission and high school graduation exam scores, must have their information entered into the Ministry of Education and Training’s exam management system in order to ensure that each candidate can only be admitted to one university.

Fourth, the Ministry of Education and Training requires candidates leave all items at least 25 meters away from the exam room when taking tests to avoid transceivers.

Candidates are advised to carefully check their identity number, full name, date of birth, and priority status, among other personal information during the exam. If candidates have registered for university consideration (regardless of type), they need to check that box in the university entrance exam’s application form so that they can register their desired faculties after test results are available. At the same time, candidates should avoid registering the wrong combination code and industry code.

How many 12th graders in the whole city have registered for the high school graduation exam this year? How has the education and training sector planned to efficiently organise the exam?

Up to now, the total number of candidates registered to take the exam and have their registration number uploaded on the software system of the Ministry of Education and Training is 85,086 candidates. For the exam to go smoothly, the HCM City Department of Education and Training plans to mobilise about 12,205 exam officials and 1,896 on-site service staff, including medical, service, security and technical staff.

Necessary training on examination management for leaders of test sites has been carried out while facilities at test sites have been inspected to ensure safety and whether or not they comply with regulations from the ministry.

To further ensure security at the exam sites, the HCM City Department of Education and Training has worked with relevant authorities in districts and Thủ Đức City to minimise congestion at test site entrances. The city police will strengthen security forces outside test sites as well.

Will candidates who are F0 enjoy any special privileges according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training? What should be done if they still have the desire to take the graduation exam?

On May 30, the Ministry of Education and Training issued guidance on the organisation of high school graduation exams in 2022 for candidates affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. According to the guidance, infected candidates classified as F0 with a certificate issued by a competent authority will be considered for high school graduation. For F0 candidates who wish to take the high school graduation exam, they must submit an application with signatures from their parents or guardians in which they commit to complying with regulations on prevention and control of the COVID-19. They will later be arranged to take the exam in separate exam rooms which meet the requirements of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control.

Candidates who are suspected cases of COVID-19 will take the exam in a separate exam room to meet the requirements of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control. In the event that the arrangement of a separate exam room for these candidates encounters difficulties, the exam board will organise an antigen test (quick test) for candidates on July 6, 2022 to serve as a basis for the smooth arrangement of the examination room. If a candidate has a negative rapid test result, he or she may take the exam together with candidates who are not affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. For ones with a positive rapid test result, they will join other F0s in a separate examination room. 

Only candidates who have close contacts (F1) with infected cases are allowed to take the exam together with other normal candidates.

Each test site is required to arrange three backup exam rooms for candidates taking the test in a separate room. Medical staff will be on duty to support and advise in case of medical problems. All test sites will be provided with sanitisers, thermometers and masks, among other necessities, to ensure maximum safety for candidates. - VNS