2026 high school graduation exam concludes safely, marks first year of new curriculum
VOV.VN - The 2026 national high school graduation examination has concluded safely and in compliance with regulations, marking a significant milestone in the country's ongoing education reform efforts, the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET)announced on June 12.
The examination was conducted smoothly nationwide and successfully met its objectives, MoET Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong said at a post-exam press conference in Hanoi.
This year's exam was the first to be organised under Vietnam's 2018 General Education Programme, which introduces major changes in curriculum design and student assessment, he added.
More than 1.2 million candidates took part in the examination, making it the largest national graduation exam ever held in Vietnam.
According to the ministry, localities have made thorough preparations in terms of facilities, personnel and logistics, helping ensure that the examination proceeded without major disruptions.
One of the most notable changes this year was the reduction in both the number of examination sessions and subjects. Under the new format, students sat two compulsory subjects - Literature and Mathematics - along with one elective examination consisting of two subjects chosen according to their academic interests and study pathways.
The education official said the revised structure helps reduce exam pressure while aligning assessment methods with the competency-based approach promoted under the 2018 education reform programme.
At the press conference, ministry representatives noted that examination questions were designed to assess students' ability to apply knowledge rather than rely on rote memorisation. The tests were developed in accordance with the national curriculum while maintaining sufficient differentiation to support both graduation certification and university admissions.
Security measures remained a key focus throughout the examination process. Police, education authorities, inspectors and local administrations coordinated closely at every stage, from printing and transporting examination papers to invigilation and the storage of completed tests.
According to the MoET, no organised cheating schemes or technology-assisted fraud cases were detected that could affect the overall integrity of the examination.
Several individual violations of examination regulations were recorded and handled in accordance with existing rules. Most involved candidates bringing or using mobile phones inside examination rooms.
The MoET also highlighted the growing role of digital transformation in exam administration. The proportion of candidates registering online remained exceptionally high, helping reduce administrative procedures, improve management efficiency and provide greater convenience for students throughout the registration process.
Following the conclusion of the examination, teachers in localities will begin marking papers according to the national schedule. Examination results will be finalised, verified and processed before being officially released at 8 a.m. on July 1.
The MoET said the 2026 examination served not only as a graduation assessment but also as an important first step in implementing a new evaluation model focused on developing students' competencies and practical abilities.
Therefore, lessons learned from this year's examination will help further refine assessment methods and support Vietnam's broader goal of comprehensive and long-term education reform.
Over 1.2 million students begin national high school graduation exam
More than 1.2 million students across Vietnam sat for the first day of the 2026 national high school graduation examination on June 11, taking the two compulsory subjects of Literature and Mathematics.
