However, the awarding of points to candidates with IELTS certificates varies across schools, methods, and training programs.
DO NOT APPLY THESE METHODS SIMULTANEOUSLY
According to this year's high school graduation exam regulations, candidates with foreign language certificates that meet the requirements are allowed to use them to be exempt from the foreign language exam in the graduation recognition process, but they will not be converted into 10 points in the graduation assessment as in previous years. However, universities may convert foreign language certificates into points for this subject to include in the admission combination. In parallel with this method, many universities are awarding bonus points to candidates with foreign language certificates for certain specific admission methods or categories.
This year, for the first time, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy is using bonus points for candidates with international English certificates (instead of just requiring them as a prerequisite for admission as in previous years). However, this policy only applies to the admission method combining high school graduation exam results with international certificates, and not to other methods.
Similarly, the University of Banking Ho Chi Minh City also uses converted scores from English certificates as one of the four score columns in its comprehensive admission method. In this method's maximum score of 150, the converted score from international English certificates is calculated at 6-12 points, corresponding to IELTS 4.5-6.0 or higher. Including the English certificate, competition awards, and criteria from specialized/talented schools, the converted score from these three columns accounts for 15/150 of the total admission score.
Ho Chi Minh City University of Law uses a combined admission method that considers high school academic results with international language certificates or SAT scores from the US. Accordingly, candidates with international language certificates (English/French/Japanese) receive an additional 2-3 points if applying through this method.
Many universities have policies that award bonus points or prioritize admission for candidates with international foreign language certificates.
PHOTO: NHAT THINH
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education adds 0.5 - 1 point to candidates with IELTS certificates from 4.5 - 7.0 or higher and other equivalent certificates when applying for admission based on high school academic results for English-taught programs. Not only international certificates, but also certificates according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam (VSTEP) receive 0.5 points for B1 level and 0.8 points for B2 level.
The University of Information Technology (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) awards bonus points to candidates with international foreign language certificates (English/Japanese) in 2 out of 3 admission methods: considering high school graduation exam scores and considering the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City's aptitude test scores.
Also this year, for the first time, the University of Science (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) is applying the TOEFL iBT/IELTS foreign language certificate conversion method to the 2025 high school graduation exam results. If the converted score of the English certificate is higher than the 2025 high school graduation exam English score, the converted score will be used to replace the candidate's English score. According to Ms. Hoang Thanh Tu, Deputy Head of the Information and Communication Department of the university, the school has a separate method for candidates with foreign language certificates: admission based on foreign language certificates combined with high school academic results for enhanced English programs and advanced programs. For other methods, the university does not add points for candidates with foreign language certificates but only awards bonus points to encourage talented candidates with outstanding achievements in academic competitions.
BONUS POINTS ARE MAXIMUM 10% OF THE ADMISSION SCORE.
According to the Ministry of Education and Training's admissions regulations, universities are allowed to convert foreign language certificates into scores for this subject to be included in the admissions combination, but the weighting cannot exceed 50%. In addition, the Ministry of Education and Training stipulates that bonus points for candidates with foreign language certificates cannot exceed 10% of the maximum score on the admissions scale (for example, a maximum of 3 points on a 30-point scale).
In compliance with this regulation, although universities may have different methods of calculating bonus points for candidates with international certificates, the bonus points cannot exceed 10% of the total maximum admission score for each method.
The University of Information Technology (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) has a policy of awarding bonus points to candidates with international foreign language certificates from IELTS 5.0 or higher or equivalent. Similarly, the admission method based on the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City's aptitude test scores uses a 1200-point scale, with a maximum bonus of 120 points for each candidate.
Meanwhile, many other universities offer lower bonus points. For example, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City awards bonus points to candidates with international certificates who achieve an IELTS Academic score of 6.0 or higher / a TOEFL iBT score of 80 or higher. The formula for calculating bonus points is: IELTS = 0.9 x IELTS score / 9; TOEFL iBT = 0.9 x TOEFL iBT score / 120. With this calculation, candidates receive a minimum bonus of 0.6 points for an IELTS score of 6.0. With the highest possible IELTS score of 9.0, candidates receive an equivalent bonus of 0.9 points.
Many universities convert IELTS certificates into English language scores or offer bonus points to candidates with this certificate during the admissions process.
Similarly, the International University (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) also stipulates that candidates who choose to convert their English scores will not receive bonus points for the English certificate. If they do not use the converted points, candidates with an international English certificate such as IELTS 5.5 or equivalent will receive bonus points for admission consideration, ranging from 0.25 to a maximum of 1.5 points, corresponding to IELTS scores of 5.5 to 8.0 or higher.
The University of Economics and Law (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) allows candidates with international English certificates to use the converted certificate scores as a substitute for the corresponding English exam score. In addition, candidates with English certificates can still register for the English graduation exam and use the bonus points policy for admission consideration. However, the university does not apply both bonus points and English certificate conversion simultaneously. The bonus points are 0.5 points for IELTS certificates with a score of 5.0 or equivalent; 1 point for a 5.5 certificate; and 1.5 points for certificates with a score of 6.0 or higher.
Master's degree holder Cu Xuan Tien, Head of Admissions and Student Affairs at the University of Economics and Law, stated that this policy was developed based on a plan that benefits candidates during the admissions process. "The university's view is that adding 3 points is too much and would create a large disparity in the admissions process; it would also reduce the chances of admission for academically gifted students who lack the resources to study for or take international English language certifications. Furthermore, adding too many points would create a race to obtain these certifications," Mr. Tien further explained regarding the university's bonus points system.
Many candidates with IELTS certificates of 8.0 or higher are applying to the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City.
Less than a week after the announcement, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy received nearly 700 IELTS certificates with scores of 6.0 or higher, which the university will use to calculate bonus points for university admissions in 2025.
According to the list updated at the end of last week, 671 candidates have submitted copies of their international certificates to the university. This list was compiled by the university based on two criteria: IELTS certificate and SAT score. However, the majority of candidates have SAT scores that meet the admission requirements and also possess an IELTS certificate; only a few cases have SAT scores but no IELTS score.
The school accepts IELTS certificates with a score of 6.0 or higher, with most candidates achieving a score of around 6.0 - 7.0. Notably, nearly 50 candidates have IELTS certificates with a score of 8.0 or higher, many of whom achieved a score of 8.5 or higher.
According to regulations, candidates must submit their certificates early and ensure the university receives them before 5 PM on July 18th. Submissions must be made in person at the university from 8 AM on June 30th to before 5 PM on July 18th. Thus, by the end of last week, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City had received nearly 700 international language certificates from candidates. In contrast, by the deadline in 2024, the university is expected to receive over 1,200 international language certificates.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thuong-diem-cho-thi-sinh-co-chung-chi-ielts-trong-xet-tuyen-dh-185250707202249867.htm
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