Candidates taking the 2025 high school graduation exam in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: THANH HIEP
Accordingly, the most discussed issues are whether to limit the number of admission methods, tighten the review of academic records, standardize international certificates or stipulate the first choice for the teaching profession.
Reduce the number of methods
According to experts, it is necessary to focus on three points: streamlining methods, standardizing criteria, and making processes transparent. These adjustments, if properly applied, will help reduce pressure on candidates and create a more transparent and stable admission system. One of the most concerning issues is the fact that schools are implementing too many admission methods.
Dr. Vo Van Tuan - Vice Principal of Van Lang University - commented that diversifying teaching methods was once considered a driving force for innovation but is now "beyond the system's control capacity".
Having too many methods (graduation exams, capacity assessments, VSAT, transcripts, international certificates, interviews, direct admission, priority admission...) makes the system complicated, difficult for candidates to understand, and difficult for schools to manage.
"It is necessary to reduce the number of admission methods and simplify the selection. The Ministry of Education and Training limits the number of admission methods to avoid overload and the situation of "hard to fail". Each school can choose 2-3 main methods, there should not be too many methods.
Reducing the methods also helps candidates and parents understand more easily and prepare more conveniently. At the same time, schools need to clearly announce the quota ratio for each method and clearly state which method is prioritized...", Mr. Tuan suggested.
Associate Professor Dr. Ton Van Phuong - Head of Training Department of Nha Trang University - suggested: "We should consider having too many admission methods. Although it is the autonomy of the schools, reality shows that many methods will cause confusion in information, making it difficult for candidates to understand and choose, increasing the risk of technical errors, making it difficult to convert equivalence to ensure science and fairness while there are only a few main methods".
MSc. Cu Xuan Tien - Head of Admissions and Student Affairs Department of University of Economics and Law (Ho Chi Minh City National University) - also said that the admission method needs to be streamlined, avoiding confusing methods for candidates and making it difficult to convert or scientifically allocate the percentage of quotas.
Consider academic records but must be limited
Admission based on academic records has increased sharply in recent years but has raised many concerns about its reliability due to the "grade inflation" in high school. This issue is always a hot topic during university admission seasons. The Ministry of Education and Training is seeking opinions on four options: no more than 50%, no more than 30%, no limit or no use of academic records.
In fact, in recent years, Nha Trang University has not used transcripts as an admission method. In 2026, the school still does not consider transcript scores in admission. "In my opinion, not using transcripts is an independent admission method. It should only be a component in a combined admission method. Or there should be stricter regulations that high school transcripts for all six semesters...", Mr. Phuong said.
Many opinions suggest limiting the ratio of using transcripts to 30-40% in the admission formula if the school still wants to apply it. "Records reflect the learning process but cannot replace standardized exams. Regarding the use of transcripts for admission, I think it should still be kept but it needs to be combined with other evaluation criteria and the ratio of transcript scores considered should not exceed 40% of the total score of the method" - Master Cu Xuan Tien emphasized.
Meanwhile, MSc. Pham Thai Son - Director of the Admissions and Communications Center of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade - commented: "Universities should not be forced to stop the admission method using high school transcripts.
Because that method is still the main method for mid-level universities. Universities have a roadmap to reduce admission criteria based on high school transcripts and change to a comprehensive admission method.
Improved virtual filtering process
The process of registering wishes and filtering out fake ones in 2025 has made many candidates "sweat" because the number of wishes is too large and the adjustment is unpredictable. Many experts suggest limiting the number of wishes (about 10-15 wishes) to reduce the burden on the system and avoid "psychological illusion". At the same time, the Ministry of Education and Training needs to upgrade the technology infrastructure and publicize the virtual filtering algorithm so that candidates can predict and reduce anxiety.
"What is more important is that schools need to promote career communication and admission communication, closely coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training and media agencies so that candidates do not choose majors arbitrarily, randomly, or based on friends... which can easily lead to the consequence of dropping out of school after being admitted, causing huge social costs," said Mr. Cu Xuan Tien.
The requirement for candidates to register for the first choice of education has caused many conflicting opinions. Many experts support this regulation because they believe that this regulation helps recruit candidates who are truly committed to the profession, especially when education has specific entry requirements and enjoys a tuition policy.
However, some opinions say that it should not be absolutely mandatory because it can limit candidates' choices; instead, it should be piloted or interviews and essays should be used to assess career motivation before being widely applied.
Proposal to remove percentile conversion
Many schools have proposed that the Ministry of Education and Training remove the requirement to convert percentiles in the new regulations. Instead, each method is considered according to the original scale and the school must clearly announce the comparison criteria if combining multiple sources of scores.
Schools also recommended that the Ministry of Education and Training announce the regulations early so that candidates have enough time to prepare and study with peace of mind, avoiding "last-minute changes every year."
Avoid turning international certificates into "privilege tickets"
IELTS and SAT certificates are becoming more and more popular, but schools are converting them in different ways. Many experts believe that this lack of uniformity can easily put candidates at a disadvantage. Therefore, experts have suggested that the Ministry of Education and Training develop a unified national conversion table to ensure fairness.
In addition, the use of international certificates should not stand alone but must be accompanied by minimum academic requirements (such as minimum grades in related subjects) or additional assessments, to avoid turning the certificate into a "privilege ticket".
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tuyen-sinh-2026-can-nhac-giam-so-phuong-thuc-siet-hoc-ba-20251121222823996.htm
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