Many universities 'turn their backs' on considering transcripts

In previous years, admission based on high school transcripts was the main admission method in the early admission stage of many universities. According to statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training in 2023, out of more than 546,000 candidates admitted to university, over 30% were admitted based on the method of considering high school academic results (transcripts). In 2024, more than 180 higher education institutions used transcript scores as the basis for admission. For many schools, considering transcripts is one of the two main admission methods besides high school graduation exam scores. This year, universities are expected to make many adjustments to the method of considering transcripts.

A SERIES OF SCHOOLS ABANDONED CONSIDERATIONS ON HIGH SCHOOL REPORTS

Up to this point, more and more universities have announced that they will completely eliminate the consideration of high school transcripts in the 2025 admission period. First of all, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, with the most important new point in the admission method from this year is not using the admission method based on high school academic results (reviewing transcripts). The school has eliminated the factor of transcript scores in both independent transcript review methods and combined transcripts with specialized competency assessment exam scores like the previous year. This year, transcript scores are only a threshold condition to ensure input quality to meet the requirements according to the admission regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Hanoi National University of Education also abolished the method of admission based on high school transcripts from 2025. This school conducts admission according to 3 methods including: admission based on high school graduation exam scores in 2025; direct admission, giving priority to candidates with outstanding abilities and achievements; and admission based on the 2025 capacity assessment test scores organized by the school. Particularly for the majors of preschool education, physical education, music pedagogy, and fine arts pedagogy, candidates must also participate in the 2025 aptitude test organized by the school to get the aptitude test score for admission combined with the high school graduation exam score.

Candidates submit early admission applications based on 2024 high school transcript scores

PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH

The University of Education (Thai Nguyen University) also abandoned the method of considering academic records. The admission methods of this school are direct admission according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training; considering the results of the capacity assessment exam of Hanoi National University, Hanoi Pedagogical University, Thai Nguyen University; considering the results of the 2025 graduation exam; considering the graduation results or combining this exam score with the sports aptitude test; considering university preparatory students.

Previously, from 2024, the National Economics University has eliminated the admission method based on academic records. In 2025, this unit announced to keep 3 admission methods stable compared to 2024, including: direct admission (2% of the target), combined admission (83% of the target), and admission based on the results of the 2025 high school graduation exam (15% of the target).

In particular, some universities that train in specialized fields of health and teacher training have "said no" to academic transcript scores in admissions for many years now, such as: Saigon University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine...

Tighten the review of academic records in admissions

The draft circular amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Regulations on university and college admissions for preschool education, which is being developed by the Ministry of Education and Training, has issued regulations to tighten the consideration of academic records in admissions.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Education and Training stipulates that if high school study results are used for admission, the study results of the entire 12th grade must be used instead of using scores from 3 to 5 semesters as currently prescribed.

Many experts, managers, and university leaders agree with this proposal because it helps ensure the assessment of students' knowledge throughout high school and avoids the phenomenon of lopsided learning, not studying some subjects in the second semester of grade 12, only studying subjects for the graduation exam.

However, along with the above changes, the draft also plans to reduce the quota or completely eliminate early admission in the 2025 admission year. While in previous years, considering transcripts was the main admission method of schools in the early admission stage. Therefore, the plan not to implement early admission will affect the university admission plan. In particular, there are schools considering completely eliminating or reducing the quota for considering transcripts when this method is implemented simultaneously with considering high school graduation exam scores, competency assessment exam scores... in the general admission stage.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS REDUCE ADMISSION QUOTAS FOR REPORTS

Compared to 2024, this year many public universities have adjusted down their admission quotas based on academic records.

Associate Professor Dr. Bui Quang Hung, Vice Director of the University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City, said that this year the university plans to reduce about 20% of the admission quota based on high school academic results. This reduced quota will be transferred to the method of considering the scores of the competency assessment exam and the results of the high school graduation exam. According to the plan, the school plans to reserve about 40-50% of the admission quota for the admission method based on high school academic results; 20% for considering the scores of the competency assessment exam; 2% for direct admission and for students who graduated from high school abroad; the rest will be based on the scores of the high school graduation exam.

"Reducing the quota based on academic records and combining academic records with other criteria aims to select better quality students. At the same time, this adjustment is to balance the quota with the graduation exam score method. However, the school is still waiting for the official admission regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training to decide," Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Quang Hung shared.

Reducing the quota based on academic records and combining academic records with other criteria aims to select better quality students. At the same time, this adjustment is to balance the quota with the graduation exam score method.

Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Quang Hung (Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics)

Dr. Nguyen Trung Nhan, Head of Training Department of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, also said that the school plans to reduce the quota for considering transcripts by 10% compared to 2024. Explaining this adjustment, Dr. Nhan said: "According to the draft Admission Regulations, different methods must be converted to the same scale, so it may cause difficulties and be unfair if a large quota is reserved for purely considering high school academic results." According to Dr. Nhan, instead, the school will consider a combination of high school academic results with additional criteria to consider TS such as: awards from excellent student competitions, international certificates, students of specialized schools, specialized classes, students of high schools that have signed cooperation agreements with the school, etc.

Following this trend, this year Hanoi University of Industry no longer considers individual transcripts for admission, but instead combines them with international certificates, excellent student achievements, and test scores to assess capacity and thinking.

In previous years, many schools used the admission method based on academic records.

Photo: Dao Ngoc Thach

Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade also plans to make many improvements in enrollment in 2025. Notably, the school will reduce the quota based on high school academic results for 5 semesters to 15-20%, increase the quota based on the competency assessment test scores of Ho Chi Minh City National University and the specialized competency assessment test scores of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education.

This year, among the 5 admission methods of Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City, the comprehensive admission is conducted based on high school academic results and other achievements. In which, candidates need to achieve an average score of 6.5 or higher in semester 2 of grade 11 and semester 1, semester 2 of grade 12. To be considered for this method, candidates also need to achieve a converted score of the registered subject combination of semester 2 of grade 11, semester 1 of grade 12, semester 2 of grade 12 of 72 points or higher (excluding priority points).

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Thuy, Head of Admissions and Communications Department of Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City, noted: "Still based on the scores of 3 semesters, this year the school uses the scores of semester 2 of grade 11, semester 1 and semester 2 of grade 12. In 2024, the school will consider the scores of semester 1 and semester 2 of grade 11, semester 1 of grade 12. This adjustment is to comply with the draft admission regulations."

Choosing a future major: "Hot" with the health sector

At 2:30 p.m. on February 11, Thanh Nien Newspaper organized an online television consultation program: Choosing a major for the future: "Hot" with the health sector. The program took place simultaneously on the channels: thanhnien.vn , Facebook fanpage, YouTube, TikTok Thanh Nien Newspaper.

According to the draft circular amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Regulations on university and college admissions for preschool education, the Ministry of Education and Training plans to make adjustments to the entrance threshold for these two special training sectors.

Why do these majors always attract the attention of learners? How will schools training in these majors recruit students in 2025? What are the future career trends?

This information will be shared in the online TV consultation program Choosing a major for the future: "Hot" with the health sector on February 11.

The program takes place from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm and includes experts: Dr. Vo Thanh Hai, Permanent Deputy Director of Duy Tan University; Dr. Dang Thi Ngoc Lan, Vice Principal of Cuu Long University; Doctor of Nursing, Pharmacist Nguyen Phuong Tung, Head of Nursing and Testing Department of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH); Master Truong Quang Tri, Deputy Head of Student Affairs Department of Nguyen Tat Thanh University.

Bao Han

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tuyen-sinh-nam-2025-nhieu-truong-dai-hoc-quay-lung-voi-xet-hoc-ba-1852502101837185.htm