The initial purpose was to officially declare a student's completion of high school program and a prerequisite for taking the Universities and Colleges Selection Examination.

[1][2] Since 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam and new entrance exams organised by universities and junior colleges, such as the Aptitude Tests [vi] (VNU, VNU-HCM, HNUE, HCMUE, Vietnamese police academies, etc.)

In 2021, candidates who were in places where social distancing was implemented according to Directive No.16 in both phases would be specially considered for recognition of high school graduation.

In addition, applicants may pick two courses from the general education curriculum, including Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geography, History, Economics and Law Education, Informatics, Technology, Foreign Languages (English, German, Russian, Japanese, French, Chinese, Korean)..[20] The Literature exam is in essay format, consisting of two parts: Reading Comprehension (4 points) and Writing (6 points).

The exam length and amount of questions for each topic are as follows: The test will be administered nationally in a consistent format and at the same time as determined by the Ministry of Education and Training.

Between 2025 and 2030, the test approach will stay steady with a paper-based structure..[21] After the first round of the 2021 high school graduation exam ended, many people shared information about a teacher in Ha Tinh province.

[27][28] After careful consideration, the Ministry of Education and Training confirmed that up to 92.5% of the review content was the same as the official exam questions.

[33][34] Ms. My and Mr. Sam were accused of abusing their positions to distort the results of the exams, seriously affecting the reputation of the education sector.