Universities eliminate many traditional subject combinations, leaving candidates struggling to find their way.

The announcement by many universities that they will abandon traditional subject combinations like C00, A00, and A01 has surprised and worried candidates. Some opinions suggest that universities should have a roadmap 2-3 years in advance to allow students time to prepare and orient their subject choices.

Nguyen Minh Chau, a 12th-grade student in Dien Bien, said after hearing the news that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, would be dropping the C00 subject combination for admission, "Three years of schooling have been turned upside down by just one announcement."

Having pursued the C00 subject combination since the beginning of 10th grade, Chau was determined to apply to the Psychology major at this university. However, when the school announced that this was one of the majors that no longer accepted applications based on the C00 subject combination, the female student felt sad and confused.

"Most of my friends also chose the C00 group because the conditions for learning foreign languages ​​aren't as good as in the city. My strengths are Literature, History, and Geography, while my English is only average," Chau said.

When universities gradually dropped the C00 subject group from the entrance exam, female students felt they had "clearly lost an opportunity." Some teachers advised Chau and many of her classmates to switch to other subject groups, but the major Chau wanted mainly accepted students from the D14 or D15 subject groups.

“I started accelerating my English studies at the beginning of the month, but the more I study, the more pressure I feel. Sometimes I even feel disheartened because the admissions process changed so suddenly. If only the schools had announced it earlier, from grades 10-11, we would have had time to prepare, but now with only 6 months left, it's very stressful. But if I don't switch majors, I have no other opportunities,” Chau said.

Many students are struggling to find new paths as universities eliminate many traditional subject combinations. (Illustrative image)

Like Chau, Khuong Duy (from Son La province) was surprised and worried when he heard that the Border Guard Academy had dropped the C00 and A01 subject combinations for admission. Having a good academic record, Duy chose the C00 combination because he loved History and found "Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry too stressful."

But when the school unexpectedly changed the subject combination, Duy felt caught off guard because the exam was only a few months away.

"Actually, last year, when some schools planned to drop the C00 subject combination, many students had backup plans, but I was too overconfident. Now, I feel like I've lost my advantage compared to those who started studying early," Duy said.

Due to time constraints, Duy hastily changed his plans, deciding to study more Math to switch to the C03 subject combination (Literature, Math, History) for the Border Guard Academy entrance exam. Additionally, because he didn't want to waste his time studying for the C00 combination, Duy planned to use that combination to apply to a teacher training college.

"In my opinion, if universities decide to eliminate certain subject combinations, they should have a roadmap of at least 2-3 years or gradually reduce the quota each year so that candidates are not caught off guard during this crucial period," Duy said.

While many of her friends are taking extra courses to broaden their admission combinations, Hoang Mai Anh ( Hanoi ) is not trying to "rush" into new combinations. Instead, she is shifting her focus to applying to majors that use aptitude-based admission methods.

Mai Anh said that during this time she will focus on reviewing foundational knowledge to participate in the aptitude test of Hanoi National University. In addition, the female student is still studying Literature, History, and Geography simultaneously to apply to some majors that accept applications based on this subject combination.

"I don't know if I'll have enough time to prepare, but this is the least stressful option given the current circumstances. I just hope the universities will announce the subject combinations early and stabilize the admission plan so that we don't find ourselves caught off guard," Mai Anh said.

Currently, many universities have announced adjustments to their admission combinations. For example, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities announced that 15 out of 30 of its majors will no longer use the C00 combination (Literature, History, Geography) for admission, including many popular majors such as Journalism, Oriental Studies, Public Relations, Tourism and Travel Service Management, Psychology, etc.

Additionally, this school does not consider the following subject combinations: C03 (Mathematics, Literature, History), C04 (Mathematics, Literature, Geography), and X78 (Literature, English, Economic and Legal Education).

The Political Officer Training School also announced the discontinuation of the C00 (Literature, History, Geography) and A00 (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry) subject combinations for the 2026 admissions season. Another military school, the Border Guard Academy, also adjusted its admission subject combinations for the same reason.

Meanwhile, the University of Technology (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) plans to drop the D01 (Mathematics, Literature, English), B00 (Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology), and X26 (Mathematics, English, Informatics) subject combinations when considering high school graduation exam scores.

Speaking with a VietNamNet reporter , Associate Professor Dr. Dang Hong Son, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, said that the decision to drop the C00 subject combination for admission to a number of majors is part of the university's overall admissions plan. During this process, the university considered the impact on candidates currently studying for the C00 combination. Finalizing the list of subject combinations and announcing it in December aims to give candidates more time to prepare.

Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities stops considering the C00 combination for a series of majors. A series of majors of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, are expected to stop considering the C00 combination (Literature, History, Geography) in 2026.

Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities explains the decision to stop considering the C00 combination in a series of majors . From 2026, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) will no longer consider the C00 combination in a series of majors such as Journalism, Oriental Studies, Psychology... The school said that this is part of the plan and has been carefully researched.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/dai-hoc-xoa-bo-nhieu-to-hop-truyen-thong-thi-sinh-chat-vat-tim-huong-di-2470974.html