The Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City announced that in 2026, candidates can choose to use either their high school graduation exam scores or their aptitude test scores to register for admission. (Image caption: Candidates taking the aptitude test in 2025 - Photo: TRAN HUYNH)
During the preparation for the 2026 admissions process, the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) has received many concerns and questions from parents, candidates, and the public regarding the information that "VNU-HCM will uniformly implement a comprehensive admissions method."
How is the combined admission method understood?
On the afternoon of December 14th, the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City officially announced its admissions guidelines for regular undergraduate programs in 2026. According to the guidelines, this is a continuation and improvement of existing policies, not a sudden change or elimination of current admission methods as per current regulations.
According to the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, in recent years, the university has consistently pursued a policy of streamlining, standardizing, and reducing complexity in admissions, based on full compliance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training , while ensuring fairness for candidates.
From 2025, the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) has set a direction to build a unified admissions framework at the system level, in which member universities are granted autonomy in selecting, combining, and determining the weighting of admission criteria suitable to the specific training characteristics of each unit.
"The combined admission method" is understood as using a common admission formula, allowing candidates to participate in the admission process through various input data sources such as: results of the high school graduation exam, results of the aptitude test organized by the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, high school academic results, and other valid criteria as prescribed.
"These criteria are combined using clear, public, and transparent weighting and conversion principles to ensure fair access for candidates and facilitate the admissions process for training institutions," a representative from the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City emphasized.
You can choose to use either your high school graduation exam score or your aptitude test score.
Practical experience at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) shows that the combined admission method has been effectively implemented since 2022. The university uses this method as its main admission method, with the scoring components including: results of the aptitude test, results of the high school graduation exam, and high school academic performance.
The admission scoring formula is based on scientific and practical principles. Candidates can choose to use either their high school graduation exam results or their aptitude test results for admission. Implementation results show that this method contributes to reducing complexity in admissions, ensuring fair access opportunities, and improving the quality of incoming students.
Based on practical experience, the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) is orienting its research, refinement, and gradual expansion of this model throughout the entire system, in accordance with the conditions and specific training characteristics of each member university.
Currently, member universities are reviewing and finalizing their own admission plans, including determining weighting factors, conversion methods, and specific guidelines for each target group.
Based on proposals from the relevant units, the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City will review and finalize the plan and publicly announce it within the specified timeframe.
Competency assessment is an important assessment tool that is encouraged for use.
For the competency assessment exam organized by the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, this is an important assessment tool and its use continues to be encouraged based on the autonomy of member universities.
However, the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City does not require candidates to participate in this exam; candidates are still guaranteed their rights when using the results of the high school graduation exam or other valid results according to the regulations.
The direct admission and priority direct admission policies stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Training will continue to be fully and consistently implemented, harmoniously integrated into the admission plans of each institution, ensuring the principles of fairness and transparency.
"Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City is committed to implementing the 2026 regular undergraduate admissions process cautiously and consistently, fully complying with current legal regulations and admissions rules."
"All information regarding admission methods, criteria, and procedures will be publicly and transparently announced on time, with the goal of prioritizing the legitimate rights of candidates and improving the quality of input for the entire system," a representative of the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City affirmed.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dai-hoc-quoc-gia-tp-hcm-len-tieng-khong-bat-buoc-thi-danh-gia-nang-luc-de-xet-tuyen-2026-20251214144856641.htm
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