Vietnam 2026 high school graduation exam emphasizes thinking and real‑world problems

Vietnam’s national high‑school graduation exam (THPT) for 2026 introduced notable changes in both the Literature and Chemistry papers. Experts said the Literature test aligns closely with current events and technology, featuring questions on AI, the historical impact of printing, and a prompt asking how Vietnam could create “Steve Jobs‑type” innovators. They forecast an average score of roughly 7‑8.5 out of 10, with higher‑scoring students able to reach above 9.

The Chemistry paper kept its overall structure from 2025 but shifted many items toward practical contexts such as cement production, sugar‑cane processing, and the Haber ammonia cycle. Questions focus on conceptual understanding rather than rote memorisation, and the test includes short‑answer items that require application of knowledge. Analysts predict the average Chemistry score to fall between 6 and 7, with scores above 8 requiring strong analytical ability.