Southern schools review IELTS admission results of candidates

A series of schools are being reviewed.

Recently, the IELTS test organizer confirmed that technical problems with the tests conducted between mid-2023 and September 2025 caused many candidates to receive inaccurate results. Accordingly, the scores of one or both Listening/Reading skills of some candidates increased/decreased compared to the results received.

On the afternoon of November 13, speaking with Tien Phong newspaper reporters, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hoan - Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT), said: The school is urgently establishing a council to review cases of candidates and students using IELTS certificates. in the application for admission or graduation from mid-2023 to present.

“Even if only one student has a problem, the council still has to review and handle that case specifically. This is to ensure the legitimate rights of the student,” Mr. Hoan affirmed.

Many Southern Universities Review Admission Results Using IELTS

However, the principal also admitted that the biggest challenge at present is the lack of comprehensive data. He said that the review process is very difficult because training institutions do not have sufficient data sources to compare. Meanwhile, the certification unit only provides information to test takers.

“Those who get their scores increased will definitely send new certificates, while those who get their scores reduced usually do not resubmit them,” Mr. Hoan stated the reality.

Similarly, a representative of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry said that the school is currently reviewing cases of candidates who used IELTS scores for admission in 2025, as well as graduates who used IELTS as an output or graduation requirement.

According to this person, the school will carefully review cases that are likely to be affected. Once completed, the school will proactively contact candidates to consider appropriate handling.

Initial statistics show that the number of candidates using IELTS certificates to apply to the school is only nearly 200 cases per year. As for output, most students take the VSTEP and B1 certificates. Regarding the handling method, the school representative said that if there is a case of reduced scores, the school will wait for unified instructions from the Ministry of Education and Training .

Representatives of the schools: University of Economics and Law, University of Technology under Ho Chi Minh City National University also said that the school is monitoring related information and considering reviewing candidates who used IELTS scores for admission in 2025.

Many IELTS tests change scores

Previously, on the evening of November 12, many candidates in Vietnam who took the IELTS test reported receiving letters from the British Council and IDP regarding the update of their IELTS test results. The organizing units informed that due to technical problems, the scores of these candidates were returned incorrectly.

Regarding the cause of the incident, IELTS said that this was an “internal technical issue”, not related to any cyber attack. Less than 1% of the total test takers worldwide were affected by this incident. The problem has now been resolved and additional protection measures have been applied to prevent the problem from recurring.

Ho Chi Minh City students in the 2025 high school graduation exam. Photo: Pham Nguyen

In cases where candidates receive information about adjusted scores, the adjusted scores are final. The candidate's old score sheet will no longer be valid.

"If candidates need supporting documents or explanatory letters for educational institutions, employers, immigration authorities, we are ready to assist," the unit said.

IELTS also proposed two solutions for affected candidates, including: Refund of exam fee or free re-test. The deadline for candidates to confirm is before 1/5/2026.

Regardless of the form, cases will be processed within 60 working days of receipt of information.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/loat-truong-phia-nam-ra-soat-ket-qua-trung-tuyen-bang-ielts-cua-thi-sinh-post1795953.tpo