Over 1.2 million students across Vietnam began the high school graduation exam on June 11th with the Vietnamese language and literature test. A significant increase was noted in the number of independent candidates, reaching a record high of approximately 63,800. This represents the largest cohort of self-funded test-takers since the exam’s renaming from the national high school exam to the current graduation format. Analysts suggest the surge in independent candidates is partly driven by anticipated difficulty in the 2025 exam. Students may be choosing to take the exam this year to secure qualifications before potential changes in test complexity. The exam serves as both a graduation requirement and a university entrance consideration for many students. This year’s high participation underscores the importance placed on secondary education credentials in Vietnam.