University Admissions 2026: Many Schools Say No to Considering Academic Transcripts

TP - Although the Ministry of Education and Training has not yet announced the 2026 enrollment plan, many universities are planning to adjust their admission methods. These adjustments will affect the group of candidates who are considered quite good across the country.

Speaking to reporters, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Phong Dien, Vice Director of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said that from 2026, the school will adjust the talent selection method for candidates in group 1.3 (reviewing records, assessing capacity and interviewing).

Subject 1.3 includes candidates who won consolation prizes or higher in the competitions for excellent students in Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Informatics, and Foreign Languages ​​during high school years organized and granted certificates by the Departments of Education and Training, 2 national universities, Hanoi National University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Vinh University, and Viet Bac High School for the Highlands; candidates who won third prizes or higher in science and technology competitions organized by the Department of Education and Training or the Ministry of Education and Training ; candidates selected to participate in the Road to Olympia competition organized by Vietnam Television from the monthly round or higher; candidates who are specialized students (including Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Informatics, and Foreign Languages) of high schools and specialized high schools nationwide.

From 2025 onwards, candidates in category 1.3 will have their capacity records considered, including their academic records (40 points), achievement scores (50 points), and bonus points (maximum 10 points). In 2026, the admission scores for category 1.3 will include the Thinking Assessment (TSA) test scores organized by Hanoi University of Science and Technology, achievement scores, and bonus points.

In response to the question of eliminating the consideration of academic records when considering talent, and how to ensure fairness when candidates do not have the conditions to take the TSA exam, Associate Professor Nguyen Phong Dien said that Hanoi University of Science and Technology will give priority to specialized high school students who register for the thinking assessment exam. If necessary, the school can organize a separate round for candidates who are considered for talent.

Explaining the removal of transcripts, Mr. Dien said that the school aims to assess the cognitive capacity of candidates so it needs a unified standard, the TSA test score is a suitable and fair tool. Thus, from 2026, candidates who want to apply for talent at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (subject 1.3) must take the thinking assessment test.

Since implementing this admission method, for the first time, Hanoi University of Science and Technology has "said no" to academic records for candidates from specialized high schools.

Requires high background knowledge

In 2026, the University of Technology (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) officially stopped directly admitting candidates who won prizes in national and international Science and Technology competitions. This is an exam organized by the Ministry of Education and Training.

Prof. Dr. Chu Duc Trinh, Principal of the University of Technology, affirmed that the school focuses on direct admission of students with national and international excellence in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Information Technology for training majors. In particular, the majors of biotechnology and agricultural technology will also consider direct admission of Biology.

According to Professor Chu Duc Trinh, the school is interested in input knowledge that meets the learning requirements upon admission. Knowledge and skills related to scientific research (science and technology competition - PV) will be trained during the learning process, so the input assessment of candidates is not prioritized.

With the method of considering high school graduation exam scores, the University of Technology also plans to adjust to focus on admission with only 4 groups, including A00 (Math, Physics, Chemistry), A01 (Math, Physics, English) and X06 (Math, Physics, IT); the two majors of biotechnology and agricultural technology will add group A02 (Math, Physics, Biology).

From 2026, the University of Technology will stop enrolling students in the D01 (Math, Literature, English), B00 (Math, Chemistry, Biology), and X26 (Math, English, IT) groups. Professor Trinh explained this reduction, saying that the school will only focus on enrolling students in the most basic groups, with two core subjects: Math and Physics. Because through the survey process, students entering the school to study well need to have knowledge of Math, Physics, including biotechnology and agricultural technology.

Analyzing training over the past 10 years, students admitted with the A00 and A01 combination are the group with the best academic results.

Dr. Le Anh Duc, Head of Training Management Department, National Economics University, said that next year, the school will maintain stable enrollment as in 2025. National Economics University is waiting for instructions from the Ministry of Education and Training on whether to keep or remove the conversion of methods to a common score scale like this year. Because this regulation will determine the adjustment of each school's enrollment method.

Candidates learn about university admission information in 2025. Photo: NHU Y

In 2026, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, in addition to the direct admission method as prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training, plans to use only one method, which is the comprehensive admission method. This method includes component scores: considering high school graduation exam scores, competency assessment test scores, high school learning results and other outstanding achievements.

According to the school, the comprehensive admission method aims to make a more comprehensive and fair assessment in admission. In Ho Chi Minh City, the comprehensive admission method has been used by the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University) recently.

At the 2025 university education conference recently held, the Ministry of Education and Training sought opinions from universities on the method of considering transcripts for admission. The Ministry proposed two options: maintaining the method of considering transcripts; eliminating the method of considering transcripts. Although the Ministry of Education and Training has not made a final decision, it can be seen that the top universities have all said no to transcripts.

In particular, academic records from specialized high schools will no longer appear in the admissions process of Hanoi University of Science and Technology from 2026.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training, there are 17 admission methods for university admission in 2025. Of which, the admission method based on academic records accounts for 42.4% of candidates, 3% higher than the high school graduation exam method.

The Ministry of Education and Training requires training institutions to announce their admission methods from 2026 in October. The Ministry will announce revised and supplemented admission regulations to thoroughly address the lack of fairness and reliability in admission methods and criteria; ensure consistency with the 2018 general education program, and have a positive impact on teaching and learning activities in general education applied in 2026.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/tuyen-sinh-dai-hoc-nam-2026-nhieu-truong-noi-khong-voi-xet-hoc-ba-post1791293.tpo