Controversy over scoring at National Economics University: IELTS is scored twice

(Dan Tri) - Candidates with IELTS certificates when applying to the National Economics University have an advantage of having their scores counted twice.

National Economics University has just announced how to calculate admission scores for each admission method in 2025.

Accordingly, candidates with international English certificates have a distinct advantage when applying for admission to the school.

Firstly, the school adds 0.75 points to all candidates with international English certificates, regardless of high or low scores. For example, candidates with IELTS 5.5 or 9.0 will all receive the same 0.75 points.

At the same time, the school calculates the converted score to a 10-point scale for the English certificate. A minimum of 5.5 IELTS is counted as 8 points; 6.5 IELTS is counted as 9 points; from 7.5 IELTS and above is counted as 10 points.

Conversion table of international English certificates to 10-point scale of National Economics University in 2025 (Screenshot).

If candidates apply using the combination of graduation exam scores and IELTS, they will receive an additional 0.75 points and can use the converted certificate score to replace the English subject in the admission combination.

The formula for calculating admission scores (ADS) based on graduation exam scores + international English certificates is as follows:

DXT = [Score of 2 subjects + Conversion score of international English certificate + Bonus points] + Priority points (if any).

In which, the score of 2 subjects is the score of math and 1 subject among physics, chemistry, literature.

For example, a candidate has a graduation exam result of 8 points in math, 8 points in physics, IELTS 6.5, the candidate's admission score (not including regional priority points, policy subjects) is as follows:

DXT = [(8+8)+9 + 0.75] = 25.75 (points).

Similarly, if candidates consider combining their HSA, APT, TSA scores with their international English certificate, they will not only get an additional 0.75 points, but will also be able to use the certificate's converted score on a 10-point scale to add to their HSA and TSA scores with a weight of 1/3.

The formula for calculating admission scores according to the HSA/APT/TSA method + international English certificate is as follows:

DXT = [HSA/TSA/APT score converted to 30 x 2/3 scale + English certificate conversion score + Bonus points] + Priority points (if any).

For example, a candidate has HSA 90/150 and IELTS 6.5, assuming the National Economics University uses the formula to convert HSA to the high school graduation exam score of block A00 of Hanoi National University, the candidate will have a converted HSA score of 25.38.

Admission scores of candidates using the combined method to enter the National Economics University (excluding regional priority points and policy subjects) are as follows:

DXT = [25.38x2/3 + 9 + 0.75] = 26.67 (points).

This score is 1.29 points higher than that of a candidate with only HSA 90/120 but no IELTS.

With the double scoring method for candidates with IELTS, TOEFL iBT, TOIEC, candidates with international English certificates are very advantageous.

On the contrary, candidates applying with high school graduation exam scores or pure ability and thinking assessment scores will find it difficult to compete.

Some opinions say that the school's calculation method is considered "overlapping" on the same criteria for the group with IELTS conversion scores (Screenshot).

On the fanpage of the National Economics University, many opinions say that the above method of calculating admission scores is unfair.

The school only calculates IELTS bonus points for the combined admission method. Candidates applying with SAT will not receive 0.75 bonus points if they have IELTS.

"The group already has an IELTS conversion score and gets an additional score because of having IELTS. Is this considered overlapping based on the same criteria?", commented an account.

In previous years, candidates applying to the school by the combined method always had an advantage over other methods.

One of the important reasons for this priority is that the survey results for 3 consecutive years show that candidates admitted by HSA + IELTS scores have better academic results than candidates admitted by other methods.

Before 5:00 p.m. on July 23, National Economics University will announce the method of converting equivalent admission scores.

This year, the school will maintain the same admission methods as in 2024, including: direct admission according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training ; considering high school graduation exam scores; considering ability assessment and thinking assessment scores; considering SAT/ACT certificates; considering a combination of graduation exam scores with international English certificates; considering a combination of ability assessment and thinking assessment scores with international English certificates.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/tranh-cai-cach-tinh-diem-dh-kinh-te-quoc-dan-co-ielts-duoc-tinh-diem-2-lan-20250527183740689.htm