Exam Diary: Humanities, July 1, 2015

Braving the sun to take the exam.

The weather on the first day of the exam was truly a challenge for the candidates, their families, and the volunteer team. The outdoor temperature at one point reached 39 degrees Celsius.⁰C-40⁰C, especially during morning and early afternoon rush hours. But the scorching sun did not diminish the volunteer spirit of the shock team and the enthusiasm of the candidates in the first two exams.

Candidates leave the exam in the sun (Photo: Pham Thanh Tung)

Shocking performance in the sun (Photo: Pham Thanh Tung)

The green shockwave "shines brightly"

According to Ngo Thien Ngan (a member of the volunteer team): “We had to be there from 5:30 AM to prepare drinking water, set up a team to guide family members and candidates to the exam rooms, and coordinate with the police to manage traffic in front of the school gate. Our rest time was from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM after ensuring the school grounds were clear. After that, the whole team was tasked with distributing free meals to the candidates' family members before welcoming the candidates after their morning session at 11:00 AM.” The volunteers worked at over 100% of their capacity to ensure that candidates and their families had the safest and most efficient first day of the exam. In the afternoon, they had to welcome candidates from 1:30 PM, in the midst of the scorching heat. The foreign language exam's dismissal time also coincided with peak hours, so they worked very hard to manage traffic congestion in front of the school gate.

Bringing free water up to the overpass for parents (Photo: Pham Thanh Tung)

Parents feel less worried.

This year, with the changes in the admissions regulations, where the Ministry of Education and Training merged the two exams into one, many parents have seen the advantages of this combined exam. Mr. Hung (from Nam Dinh) commented: “This year, I think the Ministry's approach is more reasonable and scientific than in previous years. Having only one exam makes things less stressful for us. The children can take the exam, know the results, and then submit their applications, which is beneficial as it reduces pressure and allows them to know their abilities and choose the right school and major. However, I only worry that the exam will be more difficult in the first year.” Amidst the scorching heat along Nguyen Trai Street, hundreds of parents shared a common worry and hardship, but above all, a deep love and hope for their children. Seeing the satisfied smiles on their children's faces after the exam ended was the greatest comfort these fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters received.

Parents wait for their children at the school gate (Photo: Pham Thanh Tung)

Candidates went from feeling anxious to joyful.

Over 1100 candidates attended the exam at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, but not a single candidate violated the regulations during the math exam. Indeed, this year's students were well-prepared for the Ministry's reforms. However, in the moments outside the exam room, they couldn't hide their anxiety, and 180 minutes later, there was a surprising surge of relief because the Ministry didn't try to trick the candidates. Thanh Vân (Le Quy Don High School – Ha Dong) affirmed: “This year's exam clearly differentiated students in the last three questions, but the first seven questions could be solved by students with average to above-average abilities. I predict I can get 8 points with my work.” The math exam had 10 questions, mainly focusing on grade 12 material. The differentiating questions were still in familiar formats such as: plane geometry from grade 10, equations and values. The afternoon English exam only tricked candidates in the writing section with the topic “The benefits of reading books.”

Candidates are anxious before the "big moment" (Photo: Pham Thanh Tung)

Candidates left happily because the exam questions were not difficult (Photo: Pham Thanh Tung)

At Nhan Van University, there are free meals.

The Free Meal Organization, in collaboration with the Warm Hearts Club and the Hoa Da Club of the Faculty of Humanities, organized a free meal distribution for exam candidates and their families at the Faculty of Humanities' gate. Ms. Linh (Head of the "Free Meal" program) stated: "This year, the free meal distribution program will continue, however, due to the newly implemented exam regulations, we are currently only distributing meals at the Faculty of Humanities exam location (we usually organize 5-6 locations annually). 600 meals will be provided over the two exam days (July 1st and 2nd). Each meal box includes: rice, braised meat, stir-fried vegetables, vegetable soup, a bottle of water, and fruit for dessert. To receive a meal, candidates' families only need to register at the table and receive a voucher beforehand. When it's time to receive the meal, they bring the voucher and pick up their meal. The organization's activities are entirely based on the generous contributions of many individuals, aiming to ensure the health of the candidates and their families during the exam."

Free meals provided for family members and exam candidates (Photo: Pham Thanh Tung)

The first day of exams has concluded, still under the scorching sun until the end. And on the morning of July 2nd, the Faculty of Humanities, along with its volunteers, will continue to support candidates in passing the Literature exam in the morning and the Physics exam in the afternoon.