How are university benchmark scores calculated in 2025?

This year, the admission scores for universities are calculated in a new way to ensure fairness among candidates applying for admission using different methods and combinations in the same major.

However, depending on the school, there is a common or separate standard score for each method and each combination.

Schools have different benchmarks

According to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training, this year, universities all use the percentile method to ensure that the admission scores and entry thresholds are equivalent between admission methods. However, schools may offer different benchmarks. One of the most obvious differences is that some schools announce separate benchmarks for each method and each combination, but some schools only announce a common benchmark.

Candidates taking the Ho Chi Minh City National University's capacity assessment exam. This year, the benchmark scores will ensure fairness among candidates applying for admission using different methods and combinations.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Most schools have announced that they will announce the admission scores according to each separate admission method: high school graduation exam scores, competency assessment scores, academic transcript scores, etc. For example, the University of Health Sciences (Ho Chi Minh City National University) said that this year the school will determine the admission scores based on the principle of equivalence (with adjustment coefficients applied) of the admission methods. Based on the admission quota of each major/program, the admission scores of the methods will be adjusted many times through the general virtual filtering until the appropriate enrollment scale is achieved. Finally, the admission scores will be announced according to the individual scores of each method, along with the conversion table of admission scores of the methods according to the percentile method.

The basis for the University of Health Sciences to establish the benchmark is to apply the percentile method to ensure that the admission scores and input thresholds are equivalent between the school's three admission methods, in accordance with the input requirements of each training major. The school relies on the learning outcomes of students in the three admission courses of 2022, 2023, and 2024 according to different input subjects. On that basis, the school compiles statistics and builds the adjustment coefficients for the percentile value range of the methods in 2025. In which, the adjustment coefficients of the methods using the results of the competency assessment exam and high school learning results are determined by the percentage of students admitted by this method in the last 3 years with university-level learning results of good or higher, divided by the corresponding percentage of students admitted by the method using high school graduation exam scores.

The University of Economics and Law (Ho Chi Minh City National University) also does not convert the scores of each candidate to a common scale. Before admission, based on the excellent and excellent academic results of the students in the previous year's major/specialization, the school determines the adjustment coefficient of the percentile value range of the methods. Based on the admission quota of each major/specialization/admission program, the school determines the standard score according to the individual score of each method, along with the conversion table of admission scores of the methods and combinations according to the percentile method.

Similarly, the University of Information Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University) does not convert the admission scores of each candidate to a common scale. The school applies the percentile method based on the conversion framework announced by Ho Chi Minh City National University and the Ministry of Education and Training, combined with the student's academic results in previous years and the candidate's admission registration status to calculate the benchmark score in 2025. According to the school representative, this method is to ensure that the admission scores between the methods are equivalent according to percentile and the level of meeting the input requirements of each major.

On the contrary, Associate Professor - Doctor Bui Quang Hung, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, said that this unit plans to announce a common standard score for admission methods and combinations. Previously, the school announced the conversion framework for admission scores of other methods according to high school graduation exam scores. For example, a candidate with a capacity assessment test score of 950 points is converted to the equivalent of the graduation exam score at 25.51 points. With this method, the school converts the admission scores of each candidate to a common scale. Currently, the university posts on the school website a conversion tool equivalent to the admission score, integrating bonus points and priority points according to the school's admission regulations. On this page, candidates enter the score parameters according to each method to immediately know the admission score results after converting to the equivalent of the high school graduation exam score.

The benchmark scores for the high school graduation exam will be announced based on the deviation of each subject group to ensure fairness among candidates.

Photo: Dao Ngoc Thach

How is the benchmark different from 2024?

Master Pham Thai Son, Director of the Admissions and Communications Center of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, said that the difference in this year's benchmark scores is to convert the equivalent scores of other methods to high school graduation exam scores to ensure fairness among candidates in admission to a major. With this conversion, the benchmark scores of methods at schools are also determined at many different score levels and in terms of form are no different from the benchmark scores in 2024 and earlier.

Master Son gave an example of the English language major of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade. Last year, the standard score for the graduation exam was 23, but the transcript score was taken at a higher level of 24.25 and the National University of Ho Chi Minh City's competency test score was 700. This year, based on the equivalent conversion formula, quota, number of students and quality of scores, the standard score for this major will also have certain different levels in each method.

On the contrary, according to Master Son, schools that announce a common benchmark score also convert each candidate's admission score to a common scale before. This means that to be admitted to a major with a common benchmark score, candidates applying for admission by other methods must also achieve an equivalent score according to the school's conversion. "Regardless of how the benchmark score is announced, the common score of schools must still be converted according to the percentile rule to ensure fairness for candidates," Master Son emphasized.

Associate Professor - Doctor To Van Phuong, Head of Training Department of Nha Trang University, said that the school plans to announce the benchmark scores according to each method but has an equivalent conversion table between the methods according to regulations.

Compared to the benchmark scores of previous years, Associate Professor To Van Phuong commented that there were some differences. Specifically, in previous years, the separate admission methods and benchmark scores were determined based on the quota, quantity and quality of students for each method. When there were no regulations and methods for converting equivalent scores between methods and subject combinations, the comparison of benchmark scores of methods was based on experience or basic linear conversion. For example, previously, 15 points on the high school graduation exam (on a 30-point scale) could be equivalent to 500-600 points on the competency assessment test (1,200 points). But according to this year's conversion table of the school, 651 points on the competency test are equivalent to 20 points on the combination of 4 subjects in the high school graduation exam. Therefore, the benchmark scores of the same admission methods this year may be greatly affected and become different from previous years.

"Another difference this year is that the benchmark scores for the high school graduation exam will be announced based on the deviation of each subject group to ensure fairness among candidates," Associate Professor Phuong added.

Master Cu Xuan Tien, Head of Admissions and Student Affairs Department of the University of Economics and Law (Ho Chi Minh City National University), said that unlike previous years, the school only determined a common benchmark score for admission combinations. This year, the school's benchmark score is expected to have a deviation between admission combinations in the same major. The school's admissions council will base on the score distribution of high school graduation exam subjects in 2025, the equivalent conversion framework according to the percentile method to determine this difference.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/diem-chuan-dai-hoc-nam-2025-duoc-tinh-theo-cach-nao-185250813213120406.htm