Adding another 'door' to university education through genuine competence.

University-organized aptitude and critical thinking assessment exams are attracting an increasing number of students. In 2026, many separate exams recorded record-high numbers of applicants, indicating that diversifying admission methods is becoming a popular choice for students and parents.

With the aspiration to become a Literature teacher, Nguyen Huong Giang, a student in class 12C1 at Ham Yen High School (Tuyen Quang), proactively registered to participate in the aptitude test of Hanoi University of Education. According to Giang, this is a highly difficult exam because the questions do not follow a template but require candidates to have independent thinking, the ability to relate to real-world situations, and problem-solving skills.

Developing critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and maintaining mental stability for students during exam season.

"Although the pressure is immense, this is also an opportunity for us to have another chance to enter our dream university, while also reducing the pressure of the high school graduation exam," Giang shared.

This year, Hanoi University of Education expanded the scale of its entrance exams to include 12 subjects, adding new subjects such as Technology, Informatics, Economic Education, and Law. Not only Hanoi University of Education, but many other major universities such as Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City; and Hanoi University of Science and Technology also attracted a large number of students to participate in their own entrance exams.

In particular, the Thinking Skills Assessment Exam (TSA) of Hanoi University of Science and Technology continues to be the choice of many students aiming for engineering and technology fields. In addition, schools belonging to the police and military sectors, as well as many key teacher training colleges, also organize specialized exams to select the right students to meet their training requirements.

In Tuyen Quang , the number of students registering for aptitude tests has tended to increase year by year. According to schools, this change reflects the new awareness of parents and students in proactively seeking more admission opportunities instead of relying entirely on the high school graduation exam.

Ms. Le Thi Thu, from Tan Ha 16 neighborhood, Minh Xuan ward, said that her son recently participated in the Hanoi University of Science and Technology's Thinking Skills Assessment Exam. Although the results were not as expected, the family still considers it a necessary experience.

"Through the exam, my child gained practical experience, became familiar with exam room pressure, and got an early exposure to the thinking methods used at the university level," Ms. Thu shared.

According to Dr. Ha My Hanh, Head of the Department of Political Science and Educational Psychology at Tan Trao University, when university admissions no longer depend on a single exam, teaching and learning at the secondary level also need to shift towards a more substantive approach, focusing on developing individual abilities and providing clear career guidance for students.

Education experts believe that the strong development of separate entrance exams is opening up more opportunities for students on their journey to university. However, to achieve good results, candidates need a scientific study plan, the development of critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to maintain a stable mindset throughout the exam season.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/them-canh-cua-vao-dai-hoc-bang-nang-luc-thuc-chat-post778786.html