Under a draft high school final exam plan, in 2025-2030 most students will take the tests on paper. 

The draft mentions the increased application of information technology (IT) and gradual application of computer-based exams for multiple-choice tests in localities with favorable conditions. 

If necessary, both computer-based and paper-based exams can be organized.

After 2030, when all localities nationwide have sufficient conditions, computer-based exams will be used for all multiple choice tests.

The organization of computer-based exams was first mentioned by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) three years ago.

At a meeting discussing options on exams and general education after 2020, MOET said favorable conditions will be prepared to organize exams on computers under a roadmap that ensures feasibility of the process.

When computer-based exams are organized, examinees can register to attend some exams within a year at independent exam organizations that meet the requirements set by MOET. 

The examinees can use the highest result of the exams to apply for finishing general education, and for entering university.

According to MOET, the feasibility of computer-based exams has been researched, developed and proven for decades by prestigious independent examination organizations such as ETS and ACT.

In Vietnam, the success of the Hanoi National University’s aptitude assessment test and the implementation of foreign language competence assessment skills with a 6-level framework provide a good rationale for the organization of computer-based exams.

Too safe, too outdated

Quach Tuan Ngoc, former director of the IT Department of MOET, said when drafting the pilot computer-based high school final exam plan in 2025-2030, the ministry made a thorough calculation. The exams will be implemented first in localities with favorable conditions before they are applied in other localities.

It is expected that by 2030, when Vietnam’s economy is more developed and network infrastructure has 5G coverage and optic fiber reaches every school and home, there will be sufficient favorable conditions to use computer-based exams.

The enrollment director of a university in the south said by 2025 or 2027 Vietnam will organize computer based exams for multiple-choice subjects, except for literature.

He believes there will not be problems in computer arrangement. High schools in localities can easily set up computers if they have few students. 

The localities with a high number of students such as Hanoi and HCM City can borrow computers from universities and junior colleges.

“The government is speeding up digitization. It will be too late if exams are still on paper. I talked 10 years ago about the organization of high school finals on the computer when Hanoi National University organized an aptitude test on computers,” he said.

He said MOET’s strategy is "too safe and backward".

“The current period is the time of developed technology. My children are eighth and fifth graders, but they know how to use computers to seek information about lessons and use ChatGPT to ask about how to build a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) presentation,” he said. “It’ll be too late if we continue to debate whether to organize computer-based or paper-based exams."

The enrollment director said his school has considered buying computers to lease, which will take 3-4 years to take back the investment capital. 

Le Truong Tung, president of FPT University, warned that it is necessary to thoroughly prepare for the exams and anticipate incidents, such as internet interruption and device breakout, especially exam cheating. It would be better to pilot the computer-based exam program soon rather than wait until 2025.

Tung said that lacking computers will matter because there are many solutions to the problem. Many students have computers and the computers can be used for the exams, though measures to prevent exam cheating will be required. Besides, computers can be borrowed from computer manufacturing companies for a short time to serve the exams. 

Le Huyen