of the programme. Commonly used subject combinations include: Subject combination A, including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry. Subject combination A1, including Mathematics, Physics, English. Subject combination B, including Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology. Subject combination C, including Vietnamese Literature, History, Geography. Subject combination D, including Vietnamese Literature, Mathematics, Foreign Language. There are other subject combinations as well, especially for fields such as fine arts, music, kindergarten and primary school education, and physical education. Newer combinations are instated by colleges and universities as they are now given more freedom to determine their admission pathways and subject combinations. Registration Students register to write the exam in Mach or April. Because of high dependency on the national exam, they also rank their programme choices in their application form, as well as the pathways they wish to be considered for evaluation for admission. This is different from the North American but similar to the British or European admission methods. There is no limit on the number of programme students can choose and rank, but most limit themselves to five or less. Students can change their programme choices and subject combinations during this period by rewriting and resubmitting their application form. Students must pay application fees, which are proportional to the number of choices they made. Examination Students sit for the exam in June or July. There are three compulsory papers to write: Vietnamese Literature, Mathematics, and Foreign Language (primarily English but there are also options in Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Russian and more recently, Korean). Students then have to choose either to write a social science paper (which includes History, Geography, and Civics) or natural science paper (which includes Physics, Chemistry, and Biology). Except Vietnamese Literature, all remaining papers are multiple-choice. Exams are set in multiple days with time and date uniformed across Vietnam. In 2020 and 2021, due to COVID-19 pandemic, the exams have been organised into two sessions to accommodate local public health situations. Results Results are graded and released in August or September. They are also shared and open for access to all colleges and universities that use the results. Students, after their results, can also opt for remarks by submitting a petition, or change their programme choices and results combination so they can yield a better chance to get admitted. See also Admissions essay College admissions in the United States College application Educational consultant Need-blind admission Open admissions Open-door academic policy Statement of purpose