Failing high school graduation exam? Not everything is doomed

THE HANOI TIMES — During halftime of a friendly football match featuring my favorite team, the admin of a popular football fan page organized a small giveaway for the audience.

The event was simple: participants just had to use their ID numbers to check their 2025 high school graduation exam results, take a screenshot, and post it in the livestream comments. The person with the highest total score would win a prize.

At first glance, it seemed like a casual, fun activity, just something to keep the viewers entertained during the break.

However, the event unexpectedly generated a huge response, particularly from students who had just finished the 2025 exams.

This wasn’t just any exam. Many students and teachers have called it one of the toughest in recent years, in terms of both content and competition.

As the admin scrolled through the comment section, it became more than just a list of numbers. It was a snapshot of thousands of different stories and emotions.

The scores varied widely. Some students proudly displayed 9s and 10s across the board. Others had solid scores in the 7-8 range, which are more than enough to gain entry to most universities.

But alongside those high scores were screenshots revealing lower marks, likely indicating that the student had failed or just passed.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, 936 test papers were scored from zero to 0.75 point. Of this, 777 were found in the Math test. That means the students with below-1 point may have failed the exam.

A student may also be disqualified if he either commits disciplinary actions during the exam, or is marked absent on one of the two exam days.

For those who earned strong marks, the future must feel full of promise. They have cleared a major hurdle and can now start thinking about university, their future careers, and their aspirations.

But for those who didn’t meet expectations, this period might feel heavy and overwhelming. For them, this period may feel heavy and overwhelming. Failing such an important exam is tough to accept, particularly in a society where academic achievement is often considered the main measure of a person's worth.

Since the results were released a week ago, I’ve noticed that many young people have become quiet on social media and are avoiding conversations, fearing they may encounter friends or relatives. They feel ashamed, disappointed, and defeated. Some might even think that their journey has ended because they’ve missed their only chance at success.

But let me be clear: it is not the end.

Having experienced similar feelings myself, I can relate to them. Eighteen years ago, I went through the same cycle of shock, anguish, and self-doubt when I saw my own exam results. Looking back now, however, I can confidently say that my life was not ruined by failing a single exam. In fact, it taught me things that no textbook ever could.

Sometimes, when one door closes, it's only because another one is about to open. That new door may lead to places even better than those you originally hoped for.

I have several friends who were considered top students back in the day. They got into elite schools, won scholarships, and went abroad. Yet years later, many of them are just living quiet, ordinary lives. They have decent, but unremarkable, careers. Some of them are still unsure about their true goals.

On the other hand, I also know folks who didn’t pass their graduation exams the first time or failed to get into university. Some started working early, went to vocational schools, or chose different, less conventional paths.

But they persisted, putting in a lot of effort and gaining knowledge from their mistakes. Now, they’re doing well. Some have stable jobs, some have started their businesses, and most importantly, they’ve found a sense of purpose and gained confidence in what they do.

I’m not sharing these stories to suggest that exams don’t matter. They do. I’m not saying you should be satisfied with failure or give up trying.

The frustration you’re feeling right now or the sense that you could have done better might become your greatest inspiration. Sometimes, disappointment is the greatest motivator for personal development.

One of my colleagues told me about her daughter, who also took the exam this year. Her scores were average, but that wasn’t what she had expected.

When asked why she was so upset, the girl said that she could have done better. It was all because of a little overconfidence and unexpected changes.

The same thing happened to my cousin, who has just finished the exam. She’s not too concerned about her score. She tried her best, and that’s what matters most.

I think she’s right. The exam result is only one part of the university application process. Students can still apply using their academic records from the previous three years of high school or through other admissions routes.

That moment of realization is both painful and powerful. If, at 18, you can already recognize your mistakes and reflect on them, you’re far ahead of most people at that age.

Tran Thi Minh, a high school teacher in Hanoi, observed that many students turn to spiritual practices like praying, using charms, or visiting temples before exams to ease anxiety.

While she respects this cultural habit, she warns against relying solely on luck. Instead, she urges parents and schools to support students with healthy routines, study plans, and emotional counseling.

True success, she says, comes from perseverance, responsibility, and self-belief, not charms or prayers. Mental strength is built through preparation, not superstition.

The truth is that university is just one path to success. It may be the most direct route, but it is not the only one. Even if you don’t get into your dream school, it doesn't mean your future is shattered.

Perhaps it just means that you are meant to take a different path that will teach you more, shape you more, and ultimately suit you better.

The important thing now is not to let this setback define you. Don’t carry regret like a weight. Don’t let fear stop you from moving forward. Hold your head up high, stand tall, and take that next step.

Because the closed door behind you isn’t the end of your story. It's the start of a new chapter that you can write yourself.

And what about the rest of the road? That’s yours to choose.