Unexpectedly dropping the C-block admission combination: Explanation requested.

The Ministry of Education and Training requires universities to be accountable for any changes related to admission methods and subject combinations.

Universities have explained that the decision to discontinue the traditional C00 (also known as Block C) admissions process is consistent with training practices, school objectives, and regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training .

Candidates and parents disagree.

This year, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has dropped the C00 subject combination for admission to 17 majors. The University of Law - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, also announced that it will no longer consider this subject combination for law majors. Several other universities have announced the suspension or limitation of C00 subject combination admissions for majors such as journalism, law, psychology, and public relations.

Ms. Dang Thi Thu Huong, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi , stated that the decision is based on the direction of innovation in high school examination subjects, according to the admission requirements of each major and the foreign language output standards of the Ministry of Education and Training, as well as aiming to implement the strategy of internationalizing training programs.

The university's explanation did not receive the approval of the candidates and their parents. Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, whose child is applying to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi this year, expressed his frustration, saying that the university had "ambushed" the candidates. "The university may not recruit students from the C00 group, but it should have announced this at the beginning of the academic year so that candidates had time to prepare," Mr. Dung said.

An admissions expert views the sudden announcement of the suspension of admissions for Group C subjects as unfair to candidates, especially those in rural and mountainous areas. According to the new high school curriculum, from grade 10 onwards, students are guided towards university admissions based on their chosen subject group and study elective subjects according to their abilities. They also registered for the high school graduation exam in April. "Now that the graduation exam is so close, and universities are only just announcing the suspension of admissions for Group C00, how can candidates possibly react in time, especially those in disadvantaged areas?" this expert questioned.

Dr. Nguyen Quoc Anh, Vice Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, believes that the sudden removal of the traditional C00 subject combination for university entrance exams by many universities, at a time when students have already registered for their high school graduation exam subjects, could put students in a passive position. Students who have already chosen subjects suitable for the traditional combination cannot change their exam subjects. This also limits the admission opportunities for those who only focused on studying subjects in the C00 combination. Furthermore, with the removal of the traditional combination, students will have to switch to other combinations, leading to fiercer competition in the remaining combinations. Many students will have to adjust their study plans, even with limited time, leading to significant psychological pressure.

The Ministry of Education and Training has directed universities to review their admission methods to ensure fairness and to avoid affecting the rights of candidates. (Photo: Huu Hung)

No candidate should be disadvantaged.

Dr. Le Viet Khuyen, Vice President of the Association of Vietnamese Universities and Colleges, believes that the announcement by some universities to abandon the traditional C00 admission combination right before the 2025 high school graduation exam, the first exam under the new general education program issued in 2018, is misleading and disadvantages students using the high school graduation exam results for university admission. "Adjustments and changes to admission combinations should be announced early by universities so that students can be proactive, as they are still accustomed to choosing and preparing for exams based on traditional, core combinations such as A00, B00, C00, and D00," Dr. Khuyen suggested.

Dr. Le Viet Khuyen also suggested that the Ministry of Education and Training, as the state management agency, should require universities to announce any changes to their admission plans and subject combinations early to ensure the legitimate rights of students. "University autonomy must also be linked to accountability, must stem from the interests of the learners, and must put the learners at the center, not just do whatever they want!" - Dr. Khuyen emphasized.

A representative from a university in Ho Chi Minh City stated that some universities' decision to abandon the traditional C00 admission combination may have legitimate reasons, such as recruiting students whose training criteria best suit the changing social and professional context. However, changes to admission plans need a roadmap and early notification to candidates. "Students who choose to study subjects at the high school level certainly have plans for post-high school admissions. A sudden change could cause them to lose opportunities," the university representative said.

Following public outcry, on the afternoon of June 6th, the Ministry of Education and Training issued a document to educational institutions regarding the review and publication of admission information. The Ministry of Education and Training requested universities, academies, and colleges to review their admission methods and combinations to ensure they are appropriate for the programs, majors, and groups of majors offered by each method, guaranteeing fairness and not affecting the rights of candidates who have already completed their registration for the 2025 high school graduation exam. In particular, schools are responsible for providing explanations for any changes related to admission methods and combinations.

For data used for admissions such as high school graduation exam scores in 2025, academic results of graduating students, aptitude test scores, thinking skills test scores, etc., relevant units shall provide this information on the system in accordance with the regulations on admissions. The head of the unit is responsible for explaining the content of the training institution's admissions information and other information related to the training institution's admissions process, ensuring it is complete and accurate.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training, the subject most chosen by candidates for the 2025 high school graduation exam is history, with 499,357 candidates, including 484,084 taking the exam under the 2018 General Education Program and 15,273 candidates taking the exam under the 2006 General Education Program. This is followed by geography with 494,081 candidates, including 479,585 candidates taking the exam under the 2018 General Education Program and 14,496 candidates taking the exam under the 2006 General Education Program.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/bat-ngo-bo-to-hop-xet-tuyen-khoi-c-yeu-cau-giai-trinh-1962506062136332.htm