Grade 10 Direct Admissions in Vietnam: 5 Changes for 2026

Grade 10 Direct Admissions: 5 Policy Changes Parents Must Know in 2026

Every year, Vietnamese parents face the same anxiety: their child's Grade 10 entrance exam. It determines which high school their child enters, and for many families, it shapes their entire academic future.

In 2026, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has introduced significant changes to the Grade 10 admission process. Some provinces have shifted to direct admissions, while others maintain competitive exams with new scoring formulas.

For tutoring center operators, these changes represent both a challenge and an opportunity. Parents are actively seeking guidance, and centers that position themselves as trusted advisors will capture the market. Here is everything you need to know about the latest policy changes and how to prepare your students.

What Is Grade 10 Direct Admissions?

Direct admissions means students can enter top high schools without sitting for the traditional competitive entrance exam. Instead, admission is based on:

Grade 9 GPA (especially in core subjects: Math, Literature, English)

Extracurricular achievements (Olympiad medals, leadership roles)

School recommendations from primary schools

This approach is being tested in several provinces including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. The goal is to reduce exam pressure on students while still identifying high-performing candidates.

Learn more about how Flowcenter helps tutoring centers manage student portfolios and track academic performance across multiple students.

5 Key Policy Changes in 2026

1. Expanded Direct Admissions Criteria

Provinces are broadening what counts toward direct admission. Beyond GPA, some now consider:

Student achievement certificates from MOET-sanctioned competitions

Participation in science and technology projects

Leadership experience in student organizations

Why this matters: Centers that only focus on exam preparation are missing a growing segment of parents who need help with portfolio building and extracurricular development.

2. New Weighted Scoring System

For centers still using competitive exams, the scoring formula has changed. Many provinces now weight:

Math & Literature: 2x multiplier

English: 1x multiplier (some provinces now 1.5x)

Additional subjects: 1x multiplier

The exact formula varies by province, but the trend is clear: English is gaining weight, and the gap between "top tier" and "second tier" scores is narrowing.

3. Reduced Exam Intensity

Several provinces have reduced the number of exam subjects from 3 to 2 (Math and Literature only), with English moved to a separate assessment or integrated into the Literature exam. This change aims to reduce student stress while maintaining selection quality.

4. Earlier Timeline

The admission process has started earlier in many provinces, with some centers beginning registration in March and exams by May. This compressed timeline means students need preparation that starts in early Grade 9, not mid-year.

According to VietnamNet's education coverage, the Ministry has emphasized that the earlier timeline is designed to give students more time for preparation rather than cramming in the final months.

5. Preference Adjustment Rules

The rules for student preferences (first choice, second choice, third choice) have been adjusted in several provinces. Some now allow students to apply to more schools, while others have tightened restrictions to reduce chaos in the admission process.

What This Means for Tutoring Centers

Opportunity 1: Portfolio Building Services

With direct admissions considering more than just exam scores, centers can offer:

Olympiad preparation (Math, Physics, Chemistry, Literature)

Research project guidance for science competitions

Interview preparation for school admissions

Portfolio documentation — helping students compile achievements

Opportunity 2: Early Intervention Programs

The compressed timeline means parents are starting earlier. Create Grade 9 early-intervention programs that:

Assess student readiness in January

Provide targeted skill gaps identified by March

Deliver intensive preparation by May

Opportunity 3: Policy Communication

Parents are confused by the changing rules. Position your center as a policy expert:

Publish monthly policy updates on your website

Host free webinars explaining changes

Create comparison guides (province A vs. province B)

Offer one-on-one consultation sessions

Opportunity 4: English-Boost Programs

With English gaining weight in scoring, parents are actively seeking English preparation. This is your largest growth opportunity, as English is the subject most parents feel their child needs extra help with.

How to Prepare Your Child

Whether your child is taking the competitive exam or applying through direct admissions, here is a timeline that works:

Grade 9, Semester 1 (September–January):

Assess current academic standing

Identify target schools and their requirements

Begin skill gap remediation

Start building extracurricular portfolio

Grade 9, Semester 2 (January–May):

Intensive exam preparation (if applicable)

Mock exams and performance tracking

Finalize application materials

Prepare for interviews (if required)

After Results:

Evaluate placement and plan next steps

Identify areas for continued development

Frequently Asked Questions

H: Thi vào lớp 10 có cần học thêm không?

Đ: Hầu hết phụ huynh chọn học thêm để con có lợi thế. Tuy nhiên, không phải trung tâm nào cũng phù hợp. Bạn cần tìm trung tâm có chương trình rõ ràng, giáo viên kinh nghiệm, và cam kết kết quả.

H: Trực tiếp nhập học có nghĩa là không cần thi không?

Đ: Không hoàn toàn. Trực tiếp nhập học dựa trên thành tích học tập và hoạt động ngoại khóa. Tuy nhiên, một số trường vẫn tổ chức xét tuyển bổ sung nếu số lượng hồ sơ vượt chỉ tiêu.

H: Con tôi không giỏi Toán thì có vào được trường chuyên không?

Đ: Có nhiều lựa chọn. Ngoài trường chuyên, bạn có thể cân nhắc trường chất lượng cao, trường có chương trình tăng cường, hoặc trường tư thục uy tín. Mỗi loại đều có tiêu chí và lộ trình riêng.

H: Tôi nên bắt đầu chuẩn bị từ khi nào?

Đ: Tốt nhất là từ đầu năm lớp 9. Nếu con bạn đang ở giữa năm, vẫn còn thời gian, nhưng cần bắt đầu ngay lập tức với chương trình học tập phù hợp.

H: Làm thế nào để biết con mình có đủ năng lực vào trường top đầu không?

Đ: Hãy để giáo viên đánh giá dựa trên điểm số hiện tại, tốc độ học tập, và khả năng tiếp thu. Một trung tâm uy tín sẽ cung cấp đánh giá miễn phí và tư vấn lộ trình cụ thể.

Key Takeaways

Grade 10 admission rules are changing rapidly, so stay informed about your province's specific policies

Direct admissions is expanding, but competitive exams remain the primary path in most provinces

English is gaining weight in scoring formulas, so prioritize preparation

Portfolio building is becoming as important as exam scores

Early preparation (Grade 9, Semester 1) is the key differentiator

Ready to Prepare Your Child for Grade 10?

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