Pilot computer-based national high school exam for 2027 halted

Students in several localities will not take the national high school graduation exam on computers next year, contrary to the Ministry of Education and Training's plans from July.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau announced this decision in a notice following a meeting held over a week ago. The meeting focused on the proposal for computer-based national high school graduation exams and strategies to prevent exam fraud.

The Ministry of Education and Training's initial proposal outlined a phased implementation for computer-based exams. It aimed to introduce them first in localities and test centers with sufficient facilities, technical infrastructure, and personnel, avoiding a simultaneous national rollout.

The 2027 plan envisioned a transitional phase: some candidates would take computer-based exams, while others would use paper. The Ministry intended to ensure equivalent assessment standards and result validity. Expansion would proceed only after verifying safety and fairness, avoiding any rushed implementation.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau emphasized that the Ministry of Education and Training must adhere to the overall direction of exam and admission reform, prioritizing fairness among candidates. Computer-based exams should only be considered when all necessary conditions are verified as safe and can be implemented synchronously, safeguarding candidates' rights.

“For now, the pilot computer-based exam for the 2027 national high school graduation exam will not proceed,” the Deputy Prime Minister's conclusion stated.

The Deputy Prime Minister also instructed the Ministry to develop a synchronized roadmap, piloting the system incrementally, starting with regular assessments, mid-term and end-term exams, quality surveys, and mock exams. This phased approach allows the Ministry to verify the technology, technical infrastructure, exam question bank, organizational capacity, and student adaptation levels before implementing it for the critical national exam.

He further urged the Ministry to review and refine the draft proposal, focusing on a "pilot" approach and maximizing the use of existing facilities.

“All new investments must serve multiple educational purposes, offer long-term effectiveness, and not detract from more urgent tasks within the education sector,” the conclusion stated.

Ministry of Education and Training's initial plans for computer-based national high school graduation exams

The concept of computer-based national high school graduation exams gained prominence in 2019. Two years ago, the Ministry of Education and Training began pilot testing. By the end of the last academic year, over 36,000 candidates across 15 provinces and cities participated in these trials. The Ministry's initial assessment indicated stable system operation, suggesting feasibility within Vietnam's practical conditions.