How to Choose a Grade 10 Subject Combination Effectively for the 2026–2027 School Year Choosing a Grade 10 subject combination doesn’t just affect a student’s school record. It directly affects which university entrance exam combinations they can sit, which courses they can apply for and even their study-abroad pathway if the family is planning further ahead. This article will help you answer three key questions: what the Grade 10 subject structure includes, how to choose the right combination from the start, and what to do if you choose the wrong one. What is a Grade 10 subject combination? The subject structure under the 2018 General Education Curriculum Under Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDĐT on the 2018 General Education Curriculum, Grade 10 students learn with a focus on developing competencies rather than studying every subject equally as before. The curriculum is divided into three main groups: Compulsory subjects and educational activities Elective subjects Specialised study topics An important point for parents is that the new curriculum no longer has “main” and “minor” subjects. Every subject has its own role in shaping a student’s learning direction and in evaluating their upper secondary results. Understanding the Grade 10 subject structure helps students choose a more suitable direction 8 compulsory subjects and educational activities All Grade 10 students must take the same 8 compulsory subjects and educational activities: Literature Mathematics Foreign Language 1 History Physical Education National Defence and Security Education Experiential Activities and Career Guidance Local Education Content This is the foundational group of knowledge, and students cannot drop any of these subjects. A notable change in the new curriculum is that History became a compulsory subject from the 2022–2023 school year, following an adjustment by the Ministry of Education and Training. Many parents still confuse this with the old curriculum when advising their children on upper secondary subject choices. 9 elective subjects (students choose 4) Under the 2018 General Education Curriculum, when choosing a Grade 10 subject combination, students select 4 of the following 9 subjects: Physics Chemistry Biology Computer Science Technology Geography Economic and Legal Education Music Fine Arts These four subjects stay with students throughout Grades 10 to 12. In addition, each student also takes specialised study topics linked to the subjects they have chosen, to broaden and deepen their practical knowledge, for example: Chemistry in everyday life Applied Python programming Grade 10 subject structure under the 2018 General Education Curriculum Subject group Subject Main content Compulsory Literature Reading comprehension, argumentative writing, writing Compulsory Mathematics Algebra, geometry, logical thinking Compulsory Foreign Language 1 Communication and language skills Compulsory History Vietnamese and world history Compulsory Physical Education Movement and physical development Compulsory National Defence and Security Education Basic national defence knowledge Compulsory Experiential Activities and Career Guidance Skills and career orientation Compulsory Local Education Content Local culture and characteristics Elective Physics Natural sciences, engineering Elective Chemistry Substances, reactions and applications Elective Biology Living organisms and life Elective Computer Science Technology and programming Elective Technology Engineering, design, applications Elective Geography Physical and economic geography Elective Economic and Legal Education Basic economics and law Elective Music Music appreciation and practice Elective Fine Arts Visual thinking and creativity Why does the 2018 General Education Curriculum no longer have main and minor subjects? Under Circular 22/2021/TT-BGDĐT, all subjects count towards assessment of a student’s academic results. To achieve a “Very Good” (Giỏi) academic rating, students need an overall average of 8.0 or above across subjects, with at least one of Mathematics, Literature or Foreign Language scoring 8.0 or above. Neglecting elective subjects can leave students with unbalanced results, which particularly affects their school record and, later, their upper secondary graduation assessment. Read more: The international-standard lower secondary programme at Westlink How many Grade 10 subject combinations are there? Today’s common combinations In theory, with 9 elective subjects and 4 to choose, students have a total of 126 possible combinations, using the combination formula C(9,4). However, this is only a theoretical number. In practice, most upper secondary schools can’t offer all 126 combinations, because it depends on: Teaching staff Specialist classrooms The number of students who register each year Typically, each school offers only around 4–8 common subject combinations. Each upper secondary school offers a different number of combinations depending on its teaching capacity 5 common groups of Grade 10 subject combinations Practical surveys of many upper secondary schools show that elective subjects are usually arranged into the 5 main groups below. Combination group Typical 4 elective subjects Suitable fields of study Natural Sciences Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science Medicine and Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Engineering Extended Natural Sciences Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Technology Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Automation Social Sciences Geography, Economic and Legal Education, Computer Science, Technology Law, Management, Teacher Education, Public Administration Social Sciences with Biology Biology, Geography, Economic and Legal Education, Computer Science Psychology, Tourism, Social Work Arts and Design Fine Arts, Computer Science, Technology, Geography Graphic Design, Architecture, Multimedia Communication Note: These are common combination groups that many upper secondary schools use to organise classes. Each school may adjust them depending on its teaching staff and the number of students who register. Reference table of university entrance exam combinations by group Combination group Common admission exam combinations Natural Sciences A00, A01, B00 Extended Natural Sciences A00, A01, D07 Social Sciences C00, D01, C03 Social Sciences with Biology B00, D01, C00 Arts and Design H00, V00, A01 Note: A Grade 10 subject combination doesn’t translate directly into a university entrance exam combination. When choosing a Grade 10 combination, students still need to check the specific admission requirements of each university and course in Grade 12. How do state, bilingual and international schools organise subject combinations differently? State schools usually prioritise traditional combinations such as Natural Sciences or Social Sciences. These groups have had stable teaching staff and facilities for many years. Bilingual and international schools, by contrast, tend to be more flexible when building subject combinations. Many offer additional groups related to: Fine Arts Music Technology Design These combinations suit students with an early career direction or an international study pathway. With international programmes such as the IB MYP or A Levels, the structure of subject choices is quite different from the 2018 General Education Curriculum and usually allows for a more personalised learning pathway. How to choose a Grade 10 subject combination: a 5-step process Choosing a Grade 10 subject combination shouldn’t be based on gut feeling or on what friends are choosing. Parents and students need a clear process to identify the 4 elective subjects that suit the student’s abilities, career direction and future university admission options. A process for choosing a Grade 10 subject combination that students should explore proactively Step 1: Assess abilities and strengths accurately Don’t just look at the most recent term’s grades. What matters more is consistent ability throughout lower secondary school. Parents should: Review results from around the last 3 terms Notice which subjects your child studies comfortably and with little pressure Distinguish between “genuinely good at a subject” and “high marks because the test was easy” Beyond grades, talk to your child about: Which subjects do they explore on their own outside lessons? Which subjects are they willing to study more without being pushed? These are usually signs that a student has the interest and ability to sustain a subject over 3 years of upper secondary school. Step 2: Narrow down future fields of study Grade 9 students don’t need to decide on an exact future career, but they should start narrowing it down to broad fields. Some common fields today include: Engineering and technology Medicine, pharmacy and biology Economics and management Social sciences, law and languages Arts and design Parents can encourage their child to try career orientation tests such as: The Holland Code Career-focused MBTI These tests help students understand their own tendencies so they can choose upper secondary subjects more sensibly. Step 3: Check against university entrance exam combinations Once a suitable field has been identified, the next step is to check it against common university admission exam combinations, such as: A00 A01 B00 C00 D01 D07 Many parents choose a Grade 10 subject combination without checking future admission options. That is why linking upper secondary subjects with university entrance combinations is so important. Reference table: Grade 10 subject combinations and admission pathways University field Suggested subject combination Common admission exam combinations Medicine and Pharmacy Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Computer Science B00, A00 IT, Semiconductors Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Technology A00, A01 Economics, Management Physics, Computer Science, Geography, Economic and Legal Education A01, D01 Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Technology A00, A01 Teacher Education Biology, Geography, Economic and Legal Education, Computer Science C00, D01 Languages, Communication Geography, Economic and Legal Education, Computer Science, Technology D01, D14, D15 Law, Public Administration Economic and Legal Education, Geography, Computer Science, Technology C00, D01, C03 Design, Architecture Fine Arts, Computer Science, Technology, Physics H00, V00, A01 Note: This is a common reference table for guidance. Admission combinations may change depending on the university and the admissions year. Step 4: Check the subject combinations offered by the upper secondary school Parents should: Check the school’s admissions information directly Ask clearly which subject combinations will be offered in the coming school year Find out the number of classes and places for each combination Typically, each school offers only around 4–8 combinations, depending on its teaching staff and the actual number of registrations. If the school doesn’t offer the combination you want, parents need to: Consider a more suitable school Or adjust to the combination closest to the original direction Step 5: Prepare a backup plan Some combinations may not run if not enough students register. Students should therefore have a backup plan that meets two criteria: It still suits their academic abilities It still allows them to apply for a similar field For example: Main plan: Medicine and Pharmacy (B00) Backup plan: Biotechnology or Biological Engineering (A00/B00) Having a plan B ready helps students stay in control and avoid being caught off guard if the school changes its combinations. Common mistakes when choosing a Grade 10 subject combination Choosing a combination because of friends or the crowd Many students choose their Grade 10 subject combination just because a close friend has registered for it, or because the Natural Sciences group is popular. However, upper secondary school lasts three years and requires the ability to keep up consistently, not just initial enthusiasm. Once lessons start, differences in ability and fit tend to show very quickly. What matters most is each student’s strengths, academic ability and direction. Students may face a lot of pressure if they choose subjects that don’t match their real abilities Confusing an easy subject with a suitable one Some subjects feel light or low-pressure at lower secondary level. When students move up to Grade 10, however, the content becomes more in-depth and applied. For example, Fine Arts is no longer just basic practice; it requires students to analyse aesthetics, think creatively and understand the practical value of design products. Similarly, many other subjects involve considerably more content and higher-level thinking than at lower secondary level. Underestimating Economic and Legal Education Economic and Legal Education in the 2018 General Education Curriculum focuses on practical content such as personal finance, markets, law and citizenship. It is also relevant to many fields of study in current admission combinations, such as Law, Management, Teacher Education, Public Administration, the Military and the Police. Choosing Fine Arts or Music without the right foundation Music and Fine Arts are two subjects that clearly require aptitude at upper secondary level. Students don’t just study theory; they also have to meet practical and subject-specific thinking requirements. For Music, students need a sense of pitch, the ability to read music or to play an instrument at a basic level. For Fine Arts, they need certain skills in observation, composition and aesthetic thinking. Without a foundation or long-term interest, students often struggle to keep up over three years of upper secondary school. Music and Fine Arts in Grade 10 have higher practical demands than at lower secondary level Following an international curriculum pathway When students already have an early plan to study abroad, many parents start to wonder whether the 2018 General Education Curriculum is still the right long-term pathway. The answer depends on the student’s learning goals and the university environment they are aiming for. Differences between the 2018 General Education Curriculum and international curricula The 2018 General Education Curriculum is designed around the upper secondary graduation assessment and university admissions in Vietnam. Students study in subject combinations and are assessed mainly through grades, their school record and the national graduation exam. International programmes such as the IB Diploma Programme or A Levels, by contrast, have a clearly different structure and approach to learning. The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is for students in Grades 11–12 and requires students to study subjects from 6 groups, plus three core components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE) and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). A Levels allow students to focus in depth on 3–4 subjects that match their university direction, rather than studying a wide range of subjects. The biggest difference lies in the educational focus. The 2018 General Education Curriculum prioritises a broad foundation within the national system, while the IB and A Levels focus on academic thinking, research and readiness for international university study. An international pathway helps students develop academic thinking and research skills When should you consider an international pathway? Parents may want to consider an international curriculum if any of the following apply: The family has already decided on studying abroad in the UK, the US, Australia, Canada or Europe The student is in a bilingual programme and wants to maintain academic English The upper secondary school doesn’t offer a combination that suits the student’s career direction The student has previously studied or lived in an international environment and needs a continuous pathway Changing direction early gives students time to adapt to the learning methods, assessment and academic demands of an international programme before they reach Grades 11–12. The international learning environment at Westlink Westlink International School Hanoi is an IB World School authorised for both the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), creating a continuous international learning pathway from primary school through to the end of Grade 10. At upper secondary level, Westlink is currently a candidate school for the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and is working towards authorisation. Alongside the IB pathway, Westlink also offers a Bilingual Middle Years Programme designed specifically for lower secondary students. The programme combines content from Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training curriculum with international elements, making it suitable for families who want to maintain a strong foundation in Vietnamese alongside an international learning direction. Westlink is also part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP), a network of schools in many countries. This can make it easier for students who need to transfer or continue learning within a connected international environment. The school’s admissions process includes the CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) assessment, a discussion with the academic team and advice on a suitable learning pathway for each student. Westlink builds an international learning environment focused on all-round development Contact the Admissions team | Explore the IB Diploma Programme Choosing a Grade 10 subject combination is an important step that directly affects your child’s learning pathway and future university direction. When the choice is based on their abilities, interests and long-term goals, students learn and develop better in the right environment. Parents should research carefully before deciding to avoid the pressure of changing later. Contact Westlink for advice on the right direction for your child.
