Physics sees sharp decline in perfect scores

Only 189 candidates achieved perfect scores in Physics for the 2026 high school graduation exam, a significant drop from over 3,900 last year, despite an increase in candidates from 350,000 to nearly 386,000.

The score distribution for the 2026 high school graduation Physics exam was announced by the Ministry of Education and Training on the morning of 1/7.

The average score for nearly 386,000 candidates was 5,56, a decrease of nearly 1,5 points compared to last year. Similarly, only 189 candidates achieved a perfect score of 10, a sharp decline from 3,929 in 2025.

The most common score among candidates was 6,5. Nearly 152,000 candidates scored below 5, with 10 students receiving a failing score.

The Physics score distribution is as follows:

Students taking the 2026 high school graduation exam in Ha Noi. Photo: Hoang Giang

The high school graduation exam took place over two days, 11-12/6, with a record high of over 1,2 million candidates.

Physics is an elective subject, with nearly 390,000 candidates registered. Regarding the Physics exam paper, teachers and students from the Tia sang group in TP HCM assessed that its structure was similar to 2025 but more difficult. They had initially predicted that scores might not change due to students having many opportunities to practice and review.

Last year, nearly 350,000 candidates took the Physics exam nationwide, with an average score of 6,99 and a median of 7. Over 3,900 students achieved perfect scores, a significant increase from 55 students in 2024.

After receiving their 2026 high school graduation exam results, candidates have five days to request a review if desired, with the deadline being 5/7.

From 2/7, candidates can begin registering and adjusting their university and college admissions applications on the Ministry's system, extending until 17h on 14/7. University admission scores and candidate pass-fail results will be announced after 17h on 9/8.