Are Vietnam's high school graduation question papers required to be page-numbered?

What are objectives and requirements of the Vietnam's High School Graduation Exam?

Based on the provisions of Article 2 of the Regulations on the Vietnam's High School Graduation Exam promulgated together with Circular 15/2020/TT-BGDDT, the Vietnam's High School Graduation Exam must ensure the following objectives and requirements:

[1] Regarding Objectives

The Vietnam's High School Graduation Exam aims to:

- Evaluate learners' academic results according to the educational objectives of the high school education program and the continuing education program at the high school level; use the exam results to consider the recognition of high school graduation;

- Serve as a basis to evaluate the quality of teaching and learning in high schools and the management of educational authorities.

*Higher education and vocational education institutions may use the high school graduation exam results for enrolment purposes.

[2] Regarding Requirements:

- The Vietnam's High School Graduation Exam must ensure seriousness, honesty, objectivity, and fairness.

Are Vietnam's high school graduation question papers required to be page-numbered? (Image from the Internet)

Are Vietnam's high school graduation question papers required to be page-numbered?

Based on Article 15 of the Regulations on the Vietnam's High School Graduation Exam promulgated together with Circular 15/2020/TT-BGDDT (as amended by Clause 5 Article 1 Circular 05/2021/TT-BGDDT) there are 5 requirements for the high school graduation question papers as follows:

- The exam content meets the regulations in Clause 2 Article 4 of the Vietnam's High School Graduation Exam regulations promulgated together with Circular 15/2020/TT-BGDDT specifically:

+ Exam content: The content lies within the high school program, mainly the 12th grade program.

- Ensure accuracy, scientific validity, and pedagogical appropriateness; the language and wording must be clear;

- Adhere to the standard knowledge and skills of the high school program; ensure differentiation among candidates;

- The essay-type question paper must clearly state the score for each question; the scores for both essay and multiple-choice tests are on a 10-point scale for the entire test as well as for the component subjects of composite tests;

- The question paper must state the number of pages (for papers with 2 or more pages); and clearly state the word "END" at the conclusion of the question paper.

Furthermore, each subject/test in an examination has both official and backup question papers that meet the requirements stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article; each question paper has an accompanying answer key, and essay-type papers also have grading guidelines.

Thus, as per the above regulations, one of the requirements for the question paper is that the high school graduation question paper must be page-numbered if there are 2 or more pages, and clearly state the word "END" at the conclusion of the question paper.

What classification of state secret does the high school graduation exam fall under before publication in Vietnam?

Based on Clause 1 Article 16 of the Regulations on the Vietnam's High School Graduation Exam promulgated together with Circular 15/2020/TT-BGDDT (as amended by Clause 8 Article 1 Circular 02/2024/TT-BGDDT) regulating the area for question paper preparation, printing, and security requirements as follows:

question paper Preparation Area, Printing, and Security Requirements

1. The question papers and answer keys that have not been publicized are classified as "Top Secret" state secrets. Unused backup question papers are automatically declassified after the completion of the invigilation process of the examination.

2. The preparation and printing of question papers (collectively referred to as question paper making) must be conducted at a safe, isolated location and strictly guarded by police to ensure security and safety throughout the entire question paper-making period until the end of the last exam session of the examination. This area must be equipped with all necessary security measures, fire prevention, and fire-fighting means. The three-layer isolation of the question paper Preparation Area is carried out as follows:

a) The first layer is absolutely isolated from the outside from the start of the question paper-making process or the opening of original question papers for printing until the end of the last exam session. Before the question paper-making process, the question paper Preparation Council/question paper Printing Committee must cooperate with the police to develop a security plan for the question paper-making process, and ensure that the windows of the rooms are fully sealed and jointly sealed by police and question paper Preparation Council/question paper Printing Committee leaders to prevent any outside visibility;

b) The second layer is the area adjacent to layers 1 and 3, absolutely isolated from the outside until the completion of the last exam session. Personnel at the second layer are tasked with monitoring all fixed-line telephone communications; acting as the contact point for external information; controlling people and objects moving between layers 2 and 3;

c) The third layer is the area adjacent to layer 2 and the outside. Personnel at the third layer must ensure security and order around the question paper-making area 24 hours a day; prevent unauthorized individuals or information transmission devices from entering the question paper-making area; maintain a logbook of persons and objects entering/exiting the protected area; require all individuals entering/exiting to wear badges issued by the question paper Preparation Council/Exam Council;

d) The security and safety measures for the question paper-making process are implemented according to joint guidance documents from the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Public Security.

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Thus, according to the regulations, unpublished high school graduation question papers are classified as "TOP SECRET" state secrets.