Exam diary: Humanities, July 1, 2015

"Braving the sun" to compete

The weather on the first day of the competition was indeed a challenge for the contestants, their families and the volunteer team. The temperature outside at times reached 39⁰C – 40⁰C, especially during the morning and early afternoon rush hours. But the scorching heat did not dampen the volunteer spirit of the shock troops and the enthusiasm of the contestants in the first two exams.

Candidates finishing work in the sun (Photo: Pham Thanh Tung)

Shock troops in the sun (Photo: Pham Thanh Tung)

Green shock "shine"

Sharing from Ngo Thien Ngan (a member of the shock team): “We had to be there from 5:30 am to prepare drinking water, prepare the formation to guide relatives and candidates to the exam room, and coordinate with the police to coordinate traffic in front of the school gate. Our break time was from 8:00 am to 10:00 am after ensuring that the school yard was clear of people. After that, the whole team had the task of distributing free meals to the candidates’ relatives before picking up candidates who finished their morning shift at 11:00 am”. The volunteers worked at more than 100% of their strength to ensure that candidates and their relatives had the safest and most effective first day of the exam. In the afternoon, they had to pick up candidates from 1:30 pm, in the midst of the hottest weather. The foreign language exam also ended during rush hour, so they had a hard time coordinating the traffic jam in front of the school gate.

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

Parents worry less

This year, with the change in the admission regulations, when the Ministry of Education and Training has combined two exams into one, many parents have seen the advantages of this common exam. Mr. Hung (Nam Dinh) commented: "This year, I think the Ministry is doing it more reasonably and scientifically than every year, there is only one exam so we have less trouble. The children take the exam, know the results and then submit their applications, which also has the advantage of reducing pressure, knowing their ability to choose the right school and major. But I just think the exam will be more difficult in the first year." In the hot sun pouring down Nguyen Trai street, hundreds of parents share the same worry, the same hardship, but above all, the love and hope placed in their children. Seeing the satisfied smiles on the children's faces after the exam drum beats is the greatest comfort that fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters receive.

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

Candidates from worry to joy

More than 1,100 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 had carefully prepared for the Ministry's innovation. But in the moments outside the exam room, they still could not hide their anxiety, and 180 minutes later, there was a surprising explosion because the Ministry did not intend to puzzle the candidates. Thanh Van (Le Quy Don High School - Ha Dong) affirmed: "This year's exam clearly classified the last 3 questions, but the 7 questions before that, students with average to good learning ability can solve. I predict that I can get 8 points with the above answer." The math exam had 10 questions and mainly focused on grade 12, the classification questions were still in familiar forms such as: Grade 10 plane geometry, Equations and Values. The afternoon English exam only puzzled candidates in the writing section with the topic "Benefits of reading books".

Candidates are worried before "G hour" (Photo: Pham Thanh Tung)

Candidates happily left because the test was not difficult (Photo: Pham Thanh Tung)

There is free rice at Nhan Van.

The Free Rice Organization, along with the Warm Heart Club in collaboration with the Nhan Van Stone Flower Club, organized free rice distribution for candidates and their families at the gate of Nhan Van School. Ms. Linh (Head of the "Free Rice" Team) wished: "This year, the free rice distribution program continues to be implemented, however, due to the new exam regulations being applied, the organization has only stopped distributing rice at the Nhan Van exam site (usually organized at 5-6 sites every year). There will be 600 meals supported during the two exam days (July 1 and 2), each lunch box includes: 1 portion of rice, braised meat, stir-fried vegetables, vegetable soup, 1 bottle of water and fruit for dessert. To receive a meal like the above, the candidate's family only needs to go to the registration desk and receive a ticket in advance, when it is time to distribute the meal, bring the ticket and receive the meal. The organization's activities are entirely based on the generous contributions of many individuals, wishing to ensure the health of candidates and their families when attending the exam".

Free meals for relatives and candidates (Photo: Pham Thanh Tung)

The first day of the exam ended in the hot sun until the end of the day. And on the morning of July 2, the School of Humanities and its volunteers will continue to accompany and support candidates to pass the Literature exam in the morning and Physics exam in the afternoon.