Combined method solution

Some higher education institutions have announced their 2025 admission methods, showing a trend of reducing quotas or abandoning the method of admission based on academic results (transcripts).

The trend for university admissions in 2025 is for many higher education institutions to reduce enrollment quotas or completely discontinue the method of admission based on academic transcripts.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Education has announced that from 2025 onwards, it will no longer use high school academic results in admissions, only using academic transcripts as a minimum quality assurance requirement according to the Ministry of Education and Training's admissions regulations. The National Economics University plans to have three admission methods: direct admission (2%), combined admission (83%), and admission based on high school graduation exam results (15%). Several top universities nationwide, such as Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi Medical University, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, also will not use academic transcripts for admissions.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade plans to reduce the quota for admission based on academic transcripts from 30% to 15-20% of the total quota.

The Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) plans to implement three admission methods: direct admission; admission based on the results of the aptitude test organized by VNU-HCM; and admission based on the results of the high school graduation exam. Schools are encouraged to develop combined admission methods.

According to some higher education administrators, the reason many universities do not consider high school transcripts for admission is that high school transcript scores are inconsistent, with large discrepancies leading to unfair admissions. Furthermore, from 2025 onwards, students will study and take exams under the 2018 education program, meaning each student will have different transcript scores in different subject combinations.

Candidates admitted to university through early admission methods, including those based on academic transcripts, should submit their documents to complete the enrollment procedures.

PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH

In an interview with Thanh Nien Newspaper, Master Le Phan Quoc, Deputy Head of the Training Department at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, explained that academic results shown in high school transcripts vary between schools. A score of 9 in mathematics might be different for a student at one school compared to another, depending on the assessment method and scale.

In addition, the 2018 general education program differs significantly from the 2006 program, as students choose different subjects and thematic study groups.

According to education experts, the trend of reducing enrollment quotas or eliminating the method of admission based on academic transcripts contributes to reducing negative practices in testing and evaluation in high schools and increasing fairness in university admissions. However, it also raises the question of whether the testing and evaluation of students in high schools is not reliable enough for universities to use in admissions as in many other countries around the world ?

Upon learning that many universities are reducing enrollment quotas or abandoning the method of admission based on academic transcripts, the principal of a high school in Quang Tri province stated that the student assessment according to Circular 22 has been implemented for nearly three academic years. Initially, teachers faced difficulties, but now it has become more systematic, showing significant progress, and student assessment is more effective and realistic.

In particular, the Ministry of Education and Training has twice published sample exam questions for the 2025 high school graduation exam. Based on these, the school has implemented the new exam format for tests and assessments. This helps teachers better assess students' abilities, while also helping students become familiar with the new exam format and prepare well for the 2025 high school graduation exam.

Although students choose different subject combinations and thematic learning clusters, teaching, testing, and evaluation are all based on common standards. This is a common benchmark, and everything is public, clear, and stated in advance, rather than being a trick question for students as in the past.

While assessment methods may differ between schools, there is still a consensus. The 2025 high school graduation exam will have 36 different subject combinations. Students who choose the same combination will focus their studies on similar subjects within that combination. Although the methods of testing and evaluating students vary across schools, they all rely on the required qualities and competencies, resulting in similar assessment outcomes.

Therefore, the aforementioned principal hopes that universities will reduce the number of students admitted based on academic transcripts, rather than stopping it completely. At the same time, a combined method should be applied, including considering academic transcripts in conjunction with high school graduation exam scores, international language certificates, or achievements in academic competitions… this would be fair to students. If universities completely disregard academic results, Circular No. 22 would be considered ineffective, discouraging students' efforts and disadvantaging those who achieve excellent and good grades.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giam-bo-chi-tieu-xet-tuyen-bang-hoc-ba-giai-phap-phuong-thuc-ket-hop-185241129230438238.htm