High School Graduation Exam 2025: Can the foreign language exam be changed?

In 2025, Foreign Trade University will consider admission based on a combination of the 2025 high school graduation exam results and international language certificates. Candidates must achieve IELTS (Academic) from 6.5 or higher. In the photo: find out admission information at the Foreign Trade University's consulting booth during the 2025 Career Counseling Day - Photo: TRAN HUYNH

The deadline for registration for the 2025 high school graduation exam ended at 5:00 p.m. on April 28. However, after many universities announced that they would allow candidates to convert their IELTS scores for admission, many students wondered whether they should take a foreign language exam or not and wanted to change their exam subjects.

IELTS score conversion varies from school to school

According to university admission information in 2025, many schools allow candidates to convert IELTS scores for admission consideration with different conversion rates between schools. Saigon University, Hanoi Capital University, Vietnam Academy of Agriculture accept candidates with IELTS from 4.0.

Many schools accept IELTS certificates from 5.0 and above and many schools allow candidates to convert IELTS scores from 6.5 to 10 points in English. Meanwhile, Banking Academy and CMC University stipulate that candidates with IELTS 8.0 can convert to 10 points.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Luu Thuy Ngan, Vice Principal of the University of Information Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University), said that the admission method is based on the results of the 2025 high school graduation exam of the school: Admission score = high school graduation exam score of the admission subject group + priority points (if any). In which, priority points include international language certificates (IELTS, TOEFL iBT, JLPT) and priority for subjects and regions according to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training. Admission scores are calculated on a 30-point scale, with a maximum of 30 points.

"Thus, this year the school will only add priority points if candidates have an IELTS certificate as required. These candidates will be given a maximum of 3 points on a 30-point scale," Ms. Ngan added.

Meanwhile, Hanoi University of Culture regulates the method of considering high school graduation exam scores and academic records. In addition to the priority admission points according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training, the school will add 1 - 3 points on a 30-point scale for candidates with English certificates: IELTS from 4.0 - 4.5 plus 1 point, IELTS 5.0 plus 2 points, IELTS 5.5 - 6.5 plus 2.5 points, IELTS from 6.5 and above plus 3 points; candidates with TOEFL ITP 450 - 499 points plus 2 points, from 500 - 626 points plus 2.5 points...

Can apply for correction

According to the exam regulations, to be considered for high school graduation recognition this year, candidates must register to take the literature and math exams and an optional exam consisting of two subjects from the subjects they have studied and have results in grade 12 and choose the correct subject according to their wishes for the high school graduation exam and university and college admissions. Candidates can register to take a foreign language exam other than the foreign language they are studying in high school.

The Ministry of Education and Training stipulates exemption from foreign language exams in the consideration of high school graduation recognition for the following cases: members of the national team participating in the International Foreign Language Olympics, people with one of the foreign language certificates recognized by the Ministry equivalent to the 6-level competency framework used for Vietnam (achieving 3 or higher and valid until June 25).

Unlike last year, this year, candidates who meet the requirements for exemption from the foreign language exam for graduation purposes will not have their scores converted to be included in the total graduation score. In cases where they meet the requirements for exemption from the foreign language exam but want to take the exam to use the foreign language results for university and college admission, they must use the actual exam scores to calculate the high school graduation score.

According to the 2025 high school graduation exam schedule, after the registration deadline, the exam registration units will review, check, and edit candidate information (if any) until May 9. There are no regulations on changing exam subjects.

Talking to Tuoi Tre about this, a representative of the Department of Quality Management (Ministry of Education and Training) said that if there are any errors or mistakes in registering for the high school graduation exam, candidates can submit an application to the exam registration unit for correction within the prescribed time.

"However, in reality, there are candidates who have not thought carefully during the exam registration process, so the Ministry also has a policy to create conditions for candidates to adjust. Regarding the conversion of scores between admission methods, the Ministry of Education and Training will have specific instructions. Candidates can rest assured and focus on reviewing to do well on the exam," he said.

Important element in many admission combinations

Most universities require English as an important component in many admission combinations based on high school graduation exam scores. This year, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy uses international certificates as an additional point in its admissions process.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Khoi - Head of the University Training Department of the school - said: "For training majors using admission combinations with English subjects, candidates are required to take the high school graduation exam in English. The school does not convert foreign language certificates used to exempt high school graduation exams into foreign language scores for admission."

Should take foreign language exam

MSc. Hoang Thanh Tu, deputy head of the information and communication department of the University of Natural Sciences (Ho Chi Minh City National University), said that the IELTS score is converted to a 10-point scale to replace the English subject in the 3-subject combination for the high school admission method. The school is currently waiting for instructions from Ho Chi Minh City National University and the Ministry of Education and Training on the conversion method.

"In fact, students with IELTS 6.0 have quite good English skills, so if you have registered for the high school graduation exam in English, you should confidently take the exam and not change to another subject," Ms. Tu advised.

MSc. Le Van Hien - Head of the Training Department of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law - also noted: "For universities that do not accept converted scores or only accept high scores, candidates are required to register for a foreign language exam in the high school graduation exam. Therefore, even though they have a foreign language certificate that qualifies them for exemption from this subject in the graduation recognition consideration, many candidates still need to register for a foreign language exam to be eligible for university admission."

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ky-thi-tot-nghiep-thpt-2025-co-duoc-thay-doi-mon-thi-ngoai-ngu-20250507094037186.htm