The Ministry of Education and Training yesterday released the answer keys for the high school graduation exams. Notably, question 6 in part III of the physics exam, a short-answer multiple-choice question, had two correct answers across all 48 exam codes.
For example, question 6 in part III of exam code 0220 was as follows:
 |
Students in TP HCM taking the 2025 high school graduation exam. Photo: Quynh Tran |
The official answers released by the Ministry for this question were: 4800 or 4801.
On 7/7, the physics exam creators stated that the question itself was not flawed. The two acceptable answers resulted from different rounding methods when using calculators and the value of ln2 for calculations.
Specifically, there were two approaches to solving the problem.
The first method involved direct calculation using the given values without a calculator or the value of ln2, resulting in a rounded answer of 4800.
The second method used a calculator and a formula involving ln2. Some students used the rounded value of 0.693 for ln2, the same value used in question 5 of part III. Others used the full value displayed on their calculators. This method resulted in an answer of 4801.
"This is the first year the exam used a number-entry format for multiple-choice questions. To ensure fairness to students who used the correct method but arrived at different numerical answers due to rounding or calculator variations, both values were accepted," the exam creators explained.
The exam creators' full explanation:
 |
Students in TP HCM taking the 2025 high school graduation exam. Photo: Quynh Tran
Having two correct answers for a physics question on the high school graduation exam is unprecedented.
However, a similar situation occurred last year on the English exam. After much debate, the Ministry of Education and Training accepted two answers for a single question, acknowledging the validity of both.
The high school graduation exams took place on 26-27/6, with over 1.16 million students participating. Physics is an elective subject, chosen by nearly 350,000 students.
Last year, the average score for physics was 6.67, with 8 being the most common score. 55 students achieved a perfect score, while 56 students failed (scoring 1 or below).
The 2025 high school graduation exam scores will be released on 16/7. Students can submit appeals for re-marking until 25/7. University application registration and adjustments are open from 16/7 to 5 PM on 28/7.
Duong Tam
