Converting high school exam scores in 2025: Which option is optimal for fair admissions?

(Dan Tri) - Converting exam scores is an important step in the context of concerns about the level of fairness in university admissions becoming the focus of attention for candidates, parents and experts.

As planned, today (July 21), the Ministry of Education and Training will announce the percentile (similarity of scores according to top %) of the 5 traditional groups: A00 (math, physics, chemistry), A01 (math, physics, English), B00 (math, chemistry, biology), C00 (literature, history, geography), D01 (math, literature, English).

Last weekend, a notable solution was to convert exam scores based on the similarity of score distribution. For example, if the average score of subject A is 5 and subject B is 7, then the raw score difference between the two subjects is 2 points; then a score of 6 in subject A is considered equivalent to an 8 in subject B. However, the actual application will be more complicated to ensure fairness.

To clarify this issue, Dan Tri reporter interviewed Dr. Sai Cong Hong, an expert on educational assessment and evaluation.

Sir, after the 2025 high school graduation exam scores were announced, one of the biggest concerns of candidates is how to convert scores to apply to universities to ensure fairness in each combination and admission method.

What is your opinion on this issue?

- In recent years, each high school graduation exam has sparked debates about "score conversion" between subjects.

Many students and parents wonder: If we all get a score of 7, why are some subjects easy and some difficult? And is it fair to use the scores of all subjects to compare and evaluate students' abilities equally?

Dr. Sai Cong Hong (Photo: NVCC).

In my opinion, the answer from a professional perspective is: It is impossible and should not be possible to convert scores between subjects. Not only because the exam questions are different, but also because the nature of the assessment objectives and the specific competencies of each subject are completely different.

Can you analyze why it is not possible and should not be converted like that?

- As I analyzed in the article "Concerns about converting scores between high school exam subjects: Perspective from experts" published on Dan Tri on July 19, there are 6 main reasons why scores should not be converted between exam subjects.

First, an exam with many purposes cannot standardize scores.

Second, the compulsory, but not compulsory, subjects are similar in purpose, each measuring a separate type of competency.

Third, the exams vary in structure and difficulty.

Fourth, the score distribution is different between subjects.

Fifth, lack of interdisciplinary standardized tools.

Finally, the consequences if the conversion is incorrect.

A score only has real value when placed in the right context: subject characteristics, test structure, national score distribution, and intended use of the results. A score of 7 in math cannot be compared with a score of 7 in literature, and it is even more impossible to convert literature scores to chemistry scores, or English scores to history scores.

See details: Concerns about converting scores between high school exam subjects: Perspective from experts

So, according to you, in the context of having to convert according to the regulations of the admission circular, how can we ensure fairness in scores when considering admission between groups?

- When multiple combinations are used for admission to the same major, score conversion between combinations is a requirement. However, due to the different nature and difficulty of the subjects, score conversion cannot be done with absolute accuracy.

In the context of mandatory conversion, the "least biased" option is to use actual enrollment data by industry.

This is the least misleading option because: Same input target (same major, same school); same admission time, same quota; allows comparison of actual competition level between groups in a common "playing field".

Candidates taking the 2025 high school graduation exam in Hanoi (Photo: Hai Long).

How will it be done specifically, sir?

- The way to do it is to standardize the score according to the ranking in the application list.

Conversion steps:

1. Arrange all candidates who registered for that major by score, regardless of combination.

2. Assign each candidate to a percentile (% ranking).

3. Find points in other combinations corresponding to the same percentile to convert equivalently.

The advantage of this method is that it accurately reflects the level of competition between groups in the same industry, without having to assume the difficulty of each subject, and data can be exploited from virtual filtering systems or benchmark statistics.

However, this option also has limitations such as: Need to have full data of registration list of wishes for each combination; cannot be applied to newly opened majors or those with few candidates registering.

In short, if it is necessary to convert scores between combinations in the same industry, the best solution is to: Standardize scores according to the actual admission rankings in the industry (based on registration data for each combination).

Thank you Dr. Sai Cong Hong!

All comments from experts and readers please send to email: giaoduc@dantri.com.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/quy-doi-diem-thi-thpt-2025-phuong-an-nao-toi-uu-cho-cong-bang-tuyen-sinh-20250721083201252.htm