Recently, the new changes in the High School Graduation Exam starting in 2025 have become a hot topic, drawing significant attention from 12th-grade students and their parents. The modifications in the sample exam for the 2025 graduation exam, announced by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), are raising concerns. The exam is considered more challenging and highly differentiated, directly impacting students’ chances of gaining university admission.
A Pivotal Change
According to the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), the 2025 High School Graduation Exam will be the first to be held under the 2018 General Education Program. This means the exam format will undergo significant changes compared to previous years, aligning with the dual objectives of graduation assessment and university admission. The exam will feature a higher level of differentiation, providing universities with a solid basis for selecting candidates.
Notably, the exam no longer includes “tricky” questions that challenge students with complex, advanced-level problems. Instead, the exam will delve into the essence of each subject, requiring students to solve practical, meaningful problems with a strong focus on application. Cramming, rote memorization, and purely theoretical learning will no longer be effective strategies for this exam. While this may present challenges for many students accustomed to traditional learning methods, it also opens up opportunities to develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and adapt to the new demands of the education program.
Thus, 2025 promises to be a pivotal year for 12th-grade students, offering more opportunities than ever before. Notably, candidates should take into account that the 2025 High School Graduation Exam will consist of four subjects. Of these, two are compulsory: Mathematics and Literature. The other two are elective subjects chosen from Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geography, History, Economic and Legal Education, Informatics, Technology, and Foreign Languages (English, German, Russian, Japanese, French, Chinese, Korean).
Understanding the Admission Methods: Expanding Opportunities
With the changes to the 2025 High School Graduation Exam, universities are adjusting their admission methods accordingly. The most notable aspect is the reduction in the number of exam subjects and the introduction of new ones, directly impacting the admission criteria. While most universities continue to prioritize high school graduation exam scores as the primary method of selection, changes in the number and structure of subjects may lead to alterations in admission combinations.
Currently, universities are still awaiting official information from the Ministry of Education and Training regarding the exam structure and overall admission guidelines. Only after receiving specific instructions can universities develop suitable admission criteria for each field of study. This requires students to stay informed and well-prepared for the upcoming admission cycle.
