The university entrance exam is unusual.

On May 31st, 2,654 candidates took the aptitude test for Group H subjects, with the results used for admission to Hanoi University of Architecture.

From 5:30 AM, the gates of Hanoi University of Architecture were bustling with candidates and their parents. The early morning weather in Hanoi was pleasantly humid, with no rain, making it convenient for parents and candidates to travel.

Groups of candidates, carrying drawing boards, pen holders, paint boxes, set squares, measuring sticks, etc., streamed into the school, creating a scene quite different from typical exams.

The "blue-uniformed officers" arrived early to direct traffic, assist candidates and parents, distribute water, guide them to exam rooms, and show them where to leave their belongings.

The atmosphere in front of the Hanoi University of Architecture was lively and colorful. The most noticeable aspect of this exam was the striking style of many candidates. Many appeared in distinctive outfits, including oversized shirts, wide-leg jeans, layered skirts, sneakers, and accessories like necklaces and earrings.

Some students took the opportunity to chat and take photos with friends and family before the exam, capturing the moment of entering what is considered the "gateway" to many popular majors at Hanoi University of Architecture such as Graphic Design; Interior Design; Fashion Design; Sculpture, Digital Art, Urban Fine Arts…

Today, candidates will take the H-block exams, which include two subjects: Fine Arts Drawing, requiring a drawing of a bust of a model using black pencil on A1 size paper; and Decorative Composition in Color, requiring a decorative composition using powder paint on A3 size paper. The time allotted for each subject is 240 minutes.

While not as stressful as the academic exams, nervousness and anxiety were still evident on the faces of many candidates. Tran Thuy Duong, a student from Ly Thai To High School ( Bac Ninh ), said she plans to enroll in Interior Design. To prepare for the aptitude test, she enrolled in formal drawing classes starting in 11th grade, covering topics such as figure drawing, portraiture, and color composition.

Meanwhile, Duong Ha Linh, a student at Le Xoay High School (Phu Tho province), chose Graphic Design as her major and also started learning to draw in the middle of her 11th grade year. Initially, she maintained a study schedule of about 4 sessions per week. As the exam approached, the intensity of her revision increased continuously throughout the week, with each session lasting about 4 hours. Despite dedicating a lot of time to preparation, she still felt pressured by the Fine Arts Drawing subject. Linh admitted that drawing the body from the knees down was her weakest point and what worried her the most.

In 2026, Hanoi University of Architecture plans to recruit 3,590 students, an increase of nearly 400 compared to last year. Of these, the aptitude test will only be applied to training programs in the fields of art, architecture, and construction, which require specific aptitudes and skills. This group comprises 11 majors, recruiting 1,530 students.

The aptitude test consists of two groups: H and V. Previously, on May 24th, the school held the aptitude test for group V with Fine Arts Drawing 1 and Fine Arts Drawing 2, with approximately 1,400 candidates participating. Afterwards, the school will consider the aptitude test scores combined with the scores of 1-2 subjects in the high school graduation exam to form the following combinations: V00, V01, V02, H00, H02.

Due to the large number of candidates, the school arranged 99 examination rooms with seating, easels, and suitable space for the exam, which lasted for many hours. Before entering the examination rooms, volunteers continuously reminded candidates to check their materials, comply with regulations, and take precautions to protect their exam papers from crumpling or tearing.

The school arranged for 99 models to sit in 99 rooms, remaining stationary for hours so that candidates could observe, sketch, and complete their exam. Each candidate had a unique perspective and easel placement, ensuring that no two exam papers were alike, and preventing cheating unlike in other academic subjects.

The school stated that the purpose of organizing the aptitude test is to assess the specific abilities, creative thinking, sensory perception, and practical skills of candidates in fields requiring particular qualities and skills such as visual thinking, observation skills, composition, expression of form and color, and artistic appreciation.

The exam results also help students understand their own abilities, thereby determining a suitable path and avoiding studying the wrong major or dropping out midway. The school is expected to announce the aptitude test results before June 20th.

Outside the school gate, many parents chose to stay and wait for their children instead of leaving during the exam. According to the school, the candidates participating in this year's exam come from many different provinces and cities, spanning across the North and Central regions. Therefore, many families arrived in Hanoi the day before, renting guesthouses and hotels for convenience.

Source: https://znews.vn/ky-thi-vao-dai-hoc-khac-la-post1655673.html