Pressure from 10th grade exam scores, doctor recalls story of "definitely passing but failing"

(Dan Tri) - Besides the joy, this year about 22,000 Hanoi students will fail the 10th grade of public schools.

Shock at 15

When the 10th grade exam results in Hanoi were released, social networks became a place for parents and teachers to share their children and students passing the entrance exams to specialized schools, top schools, or other desired schools.

Students in Ho Chi Minh City take the 10th grade entrance exam this year (Photo: Hoai Nam).

Upon receiving the admission results, many families and candidates felt as if a long-standing burden had been lifted, and even felt like they could... breathe again.

Because this exam is considered the most important exam and also the most stressful exam not only for students but also for their families.

This year, Hanoi has more than 103,000 students competing for 81,000 public school places, with an admission rate of 78.6%. Compared to Hanoi's 127,000 ninth-grade students in the 2024-2025 school year, the rate is about 64%.

Along with the joy, this year, about 22,000 Hanoi students aged 15 failed this exam.

Facing the laughter and joy of passing the exam are the tears and sadness of tens of thousands of candidates who failed the exam or did not get their desired results.

In Ho Chi Minh City, compared to many years ago, this year's 10th grade entrance exam is considered the easiest as the number of candidates taking the exam has decreased and the quota has been met.

The 2025 Ho Chi Minh City 10th grade entrance exam had more than 76,000 registered candidates, while the total was more than 70,000 students, the admission rate was about 92%. If we calculate the number of participating candidates and the quota, only about 6,000 candidates failed this exam.

But it's not just the numbers, behind every student who fails an exam or fails their desired goal are the thoughts, sadness, stress and overwhelming shocks that they have to face.

The 10th grade exam is considered the most intense exam in a student's life (Photo: Hoai Nam).

After Ho Chi Minh City announced the exam scores and admission scores, on forums, besides the joy of preparing to enter the dream school, there was also the feeling of students who failed the exam or failed to get into their desired school. Some locked themselves in their rooms, not daring to face their relatives, not knowing how to face them…

"The school had to bring a palanquin to pick him up", then... he fell.

Psychologist Dao Le Hoa An, founder and director of the Center for Applied Psychology and Career Guidance 4.0 Jobway, mentioned the case of his friend - one of the most outstanding students in school.

Before the 10th grade exam, people often say that "a student as good as him will make schools carry him in palanquins". However, he failed.

Dr. Dao Le Hoa An failed his first choice in the 10th grade exam (Photo: FBNV).

Mr. An himself was a good student, but that year in the 10th grade exam, he failed his first choice to enter Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School. Like many students, he also had to face the sadness of failing the school he wanted.

After that, he studied at a high school near his home as his second choice, which he himself did not know about at that time because he was sure that "he passed his first choice".

When he entered school, Mr. An recall that he had wonderful youth years with friends and teachers here and many Union and association activities - the foundations for him to develop his career later.

During that process, Mr. An realized that if he studied in an environment beyond his ability, it might not be suitable and it would be difficult for each person to develop their own abilities. Failing an exam or turning points in life can put us in the place where we belong, the place that is most suitable for us.

Especially in high school, it's not just about studying, a school needs many group activities, clubs, extracurricular activities, careers... which are things that help students develop their abilities.

The most important thing is that each student tries their best, has a clear goal whether studying at a private school, regulareducation or vocational school...

Before the 10th grade exam and all other exams, candidates and parents usually only set the scenario of "passing" but forget to prepare mentally for "failing".

According to Dr. An, failing an exam is normal. Students and parents also need to set themselves up for a “failure” situation to have the best psychological preparation. This helps avoid heartbreaking reactions from candidates, as well as prepare them for other paths and gates.

For students to overcome the pressure of exams, the most important thing is the companionship of their parents (Photo: Trinh Nguyen).

Ms. Nguyen Khanh Chi, a parent in Ho Chi Minh City, shared that the fierceness of the 10th grade exam is the reality that students are facing. While this fierceness is still there, the most important thing for students to overcome the shock of failing the exam is the companionship and sharing from their parents and family.

"So that when the results are not as expected, students can still confidently announce "I failed" instead of being confused or scared. They have the right to fail the exam," said Ms. Spend.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/Giao-duc/ap-luc-diem-thi-lop-10-tien-si-nhac-chuyen-chac-chan-do-nhung-lai-truot-20250706084757831.htm