The number of candidates with excellent scores decreased, the 10th grade benchmark scores in Ho Chi Minh City fluctuated unpredictably.

(Dan Tri) - Fluctuating score distribution combined with a sharp decrease in competition rate and large changes in targets compared to previous years make the 10th grade benchmark scores in Ho Chi Minh City difficult to predict.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has announced the score distribution of the 2025 Ho Chi Minh City Grade 10 Entrance Exam, showing detailed scores for each subject, providing a clear view of candidates' abilities and an important basis for predicting the admission scores for public high schools this year.

Compared to 2024 data, the 2025 score spectrum shows strong fluctuations, especially in math and foreign languages, leading to dramatic benchmark changes.

The number of papers with good scores decreased, and the number of low scores improved significantly.

Analysis of the 10th grade exam score distribution in Ho Chi Minh City in 2025 shows some notable trends. Of the total 229,262 published exams, the number of exams with excellent scores (8 or higher) is 32,558, accounting for 14.2%. Compared to 2024, when there were 44,816 exams with excellent scores (accounting for 15.16%), the percentage of excellent scores this year has decreased slightly.

However, the positive point is that the number of below average exams (below 5 points) has decreased significantly, from 96,563 exams (32.68%) in 2024 to 63,484 exams (27.69%) in 2025. These figures clearly show that the average score of candidates has improved, with fewer exams having very low or failing scores. These figures clearly show that the average score of candidates has improved, with fewer exams having very low or failing scores.

The score spectrum also shows the dramatic change in math when it "broke the curse" of low scores over many years.

The math subject in this year's 10th grade entrance exam witnessed a clear change in difficulty compared to last year. This is shown through the following figures.

The percentage of high scores (8 or higher) increased sharply. This year, there were 6,372 exams with scores of 8 or higher, accounting for 8.85% of the total number of math exams.

This figure fluctuates significantly more than in 2024, when only 3,263 papers scored 8 points or more, accounting for 3.31% of the total number of math exams.

Math score distribution, 10th grade exam in Ho Chi Minh City in 2025 (Source: Department of Education and Training).

More specifically, the rate of low scores (below 5) also decreased compared to 2024. The number of math exams with scores below 5 in 2025 was about 28,028, accounting for 37% of the total number of exams. This number is significantly lower than the rate of 56.13% (55,263 exams) in 2024.

This may show that the 2025 math test will not "puzzle" candidates with a low average score like in 2024.

After an "explosive" year in 2024 with 30.78% of exams scoring 8 points or higher (about 30,321 exams) and 1,707 scores of 10, the foreign language subject in 2025 has returned to a more balanced score spectrum.

This year, the percentage of exams scoring 8 points or more is 23.55% (18,003 exams). Although still a high percentage compared to other subjects, it has decreased compared to 2024. In particular, the number of exams scoring 10 points is only 488.

Along with that, the rate of exams with less than 5 points in foreign languages ​​is 31.5% (24,081 exams), higher than 19.38% in 2024.

Foreign language score distribution, 10th grade exam in Ho Chi Minh City in 2025 (Source: Department of Education and Training).

Literature continued to maintain stability and improve the quality of good scores, recording 10.70% (8,183 papers) achieving 8 points or higher, a fairly good score ratio.

The rate of exams with scores below 5 points in literature in 2025 is 14.88% (11,375 exams). Compared to 2024 (11.4% good scores and 11.56% poor scores), although the literature scores in 2025 have decreased slightly, they still show balance, without too much fluctuation.

According to preliminary statistics, the city has more than 6,000 students with a total score of 24 or higher in three subjects. This level is also lower than in 2024 with 7,031 candidates scoring 24 or higher, in 2023 there were 11,955 candidates in this range.

Math score distribution, 10th grade exam in Ho Chi Minh City in 2025 (Source: Department of Education and Training).

Unpredictable benchmarks

Predicting the 10th grade benchmark scores in Ho Chi Minh City this year is actually more difficult than in previous years. There are many factors that fluctuate at the same time, not just exam scores. This year, the enrollment quota has changed, causing the admission rate to be up to 92%, meaning that only about 6,000 candidates will not have a place in public 10th grade.

In addition, the competition ratio of non-specialized schools has also decreased sharply. Even Tran Dai Nghia Secondary and High School, which has the highest competition ratio, only reaches 1/2.9 (including integrated and regular classes).

However, based on the score distribution and comparison of the 2024 results, some conclusions can be made.

The leader of a school in Thu Duc City said that although the decrease was not too large (from 15.16% in 2024 to 14.2% in 2025), the decrease in the number of excellent exam scores showed that the number of candidates with the highest scores was decreasing.

Meanwhile, the quotas of many top schools this year increased such as: Nguyen Thuong Hien High School increased by 95 quotas, Gia Dinh High School increased by 105 quotas, Le Quy Don High School increased by 35 quotas...

Two big names, Nguyen Thuong Hien High School and Gia Dinh High School, dropped out of the top 10 for the first time with competition ratios of 1/1.36 and 1/0.96, respectively. This decline reflects the general trend of easing admission pressure. This may slightly pull down the benchmark scores of schools that are in the top 10.

Benchmark scores for middle- and lower-performing schools may be less volatile, stable, or increase slightly due to a significant improvement in the math score spectrum and a decrease in the percentage of below-average test takers.

Mr. Hoang Cong Phu, Vice Principal of Vinh Loc B High School, said that the benchmark scores of top schools are unlikely to increase because the number of candidates achieving excellent scores in English has decreased sharply.

Meanwhile, the benchmark will increase at mid-level schools because the range of 3-subject scores ranges from 6-8 is relatively large, but the vast majority is still 4.5-6. While the quota increases, the number of candidates taking the exam is lower than last year.

From there, Mr. Phu believes that schools that took 18-19 points last year will increase to 19-20, while lower-ranked schools will not change.

Meanwhile, the principal of a secondary school in District 1 has a different opinion. According to her, the benchmark scores of the "super top" groups such as Tran Dai Nghia High School, Le Quy Don High School, Nguyen Thuong Hien High School, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School, Nguyen Huu Huan High School, Bui Thi Xuan High School, etc. are expected to fluctuate above 23 points.

Compared to 2024, some schools in this group may increase slightly from 0.75 to 1 point. The reason is explained that the quota of some schools may decrease slightly, for example, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai reduced 90 quotas, Bui Thi Xuan reduced 135 quotas. Meanwhile, Nguyen Huu Huan High School reduced 85 quotas, while increasing the competition ratio. This puts pressure on the benchmark score.

The notable point is the appearance of schools such as Gia Dinh High School and Mac Dinh Chi High School. Due to the elimination of specialized classes in regular schools, the enrollment quota of these two schools has increased significantly. This can help the benchmark scores here to be stable or only fluctuate slightly by about 0.25 points.

The next top group like Trung Vuong High School, the benchmark score is expected to fluctuate around 21 points (about 7 points/subject).

According to plan, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City will announce the standard scores for grade 10 on June 26.

Candidates taking the 10th grade entrance exam in 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: Phuong Quyen).

Will the benchmark drop below 10?

In 2024, the benchmark score for grade 10 in Ho Chi Minh City will be between 10.5 and 24.5 points. With this year's score, there are still more than 20,000 exams with scores of 3 points or less, accounting for nearly 9%. Meanwhile, according to the target, only about 8% of candidates will not have the opportunity to enter public grade 10. Therefore, many people are wondering whether the benchmark score will drop below 10.

The principal of a secondary school in District 1 said that this situation is unlikely to happen because lowering the benchmark score below 10 points would be an unprecedented move and not suitable for high school students' learning abilities.

According to this person, this year's exam is relatively easy, if 3 subjects do not reach 10 points, it will be difficult to ensure the learning process at high school. Candidates with less than 10 points should switch to vocationaleducation - continuing education will be better.

Schools in remote areas, although their benchmark scores may be lower than those in central schools, are still expected to maintain a score above 10 points, ensuring a minimum level of knowledge for students to be able to study.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/so-thi-sinh-dat-diem-gioi-giam-diem-chuan-lop-10-tphcm-bien-dong-kho-luong-20250624233352133.htm