The Hanoi Department of Education and Training on June 8 organized a press conference to announce the results of the entrance exam for Grade 10 public high schools for the 2025-2026 school year.

According to Deputy Director Nguyen Quang Tuan, this year's entrance exam was held on June 7 and June 8, with 102,860 students taking the exam for non-specialized public high schools and 13,091 students taking the exam for specialized schools.

Given the importance of the exam, the department formed an examination council early on and established sub-committees to support the council. It also provided training and guidance for 100% of the staff and teachers involved in the exam process.

The city set up 201 testing locations, with 4,411 official exam rooms and 201 backup rooms. The exam was secured by 15,173 proctors and supported by nearly 1,000 police officers.

The department mobilized more than 2,000 teachers to score the papers. More than 600 officials and teachers were stationed at the test sites, and the department organized 15 inspection teams to oversee exam administration.

It also sent 19 teams to inspect facilities ahead of the exam, 17 mobile inspection teams to check on the sites during the two exam days, and 15 teams to check the security of test papers and answer sheets.

Over the two days, the exam was conducted safely, seriously, and in accordance with regulations to protect students' rights.

There were no staff violations of the rules. Only one student was caught bringing a mobile phone into the exam room, and 12 students required assistance due to health issues.

Overall, the exam was organized carefully and responsibly. Facilities and logistics were prepared meticulously, and security procedures were carried out rigorously and effectively.

Director Tran The Cuong said that the secrecy and security of the exam papers are well maintained.

"The exam steering committee and the test sites worked with the highest level of seriousness and responsibility," he said.

He also acknowledged the sacrifices made by teachers and staff during the exam period.

"Some teachers were on duty despite the passing of family members, and others were unable to attend funerals because of their responsibilities. This reflects a profound sense of sacrifice and dedication for our students," Cuong said.

According to the director, the exam received widespread praise from the community and the public.

"The exam receives timely, responsible, and coordinated efforts of the entire political system. City leaders paid close and continuous attention. Testing sites were well prepared with facilities, food, and milk to ensure that students were healthy and ready for the exam.

"There are also small but meaningful gestures, such as rewarding students who finished early, giving them flowers, applauding, and even celebrating birthdays, which create a positive and encouraging atmosphere," he added.

An especially notable aspect of this year's exam was the students' strong desire to learn. Twelve students with broken arms or legs, or undergoing medical treatment, still made the effort to attend the exam. One student even had to undergo an appendectomy after the English exam but insisted on finishing the math exam.

"Although the exam has concluded successfully, there is still important work ahead, such as grading, announcing scores, and setting the admission thresholds," Cuong said.

"This year, we expect to release both scores and admission thresholds at once between July 4 and July 6," he added.

"This is a challenging task, but we are determined to do it well. After grading, the grading council will re-evaluate some tests, using cross-checking procedures to ensure fairness for all candidates," he said.

Teachers also shared their insights about the exam papers at the press conference.

Lam Kieu Ninh, a literature teacher at Dong Da Secondary School, said that, for the first time, the literature exam did not use textbook-based materials, which made both teachers and students feel excited.

"This is a big success," she said. "The literature exam inspired emotions, thinking, and also guided students on core values."

She added that the exam included a range of questions from easy to challenging, with recognition and reading comprehension questions accessible to nearly all students. The more advanced application questions required critical thinking and real-world connections.

"The essay question tested students' thinking and evaluation skills. Since the materials were not from textbooks, students couldn't rely on memorized sample essays," she said.

Trinh Hoai Duong, a math teacher at Giang Vo 2 Secondary School, said that the math exam closely follows the official curriculum, matches the structure, and aligns with the 2018 General Education Program. It ensured student differentiation and was appropriate for the nature of the exam.

Teachers from the HOCMAI Education System agreed, saying that the math exam reflected the education sector's innovation in testing and evaluation. It focused on developing competencies, connecting with real-life situations, and ensuring fairness in student selection.

In their view, the exam balanced depth and educational orientation, helping to improve math instruction at the lower secondary level and providing a reliable basis for high schools to select suitable students.

In summary, Hanoi's Grade 10 entrance exam this year was a vivid reflection of educational reform, shifting from simply delivering knowledge to developing students' abilities.