University Admissions 2025: How are the benchmark scores different from previous years?

2025 is a year of major changes in university admissions. In particular, all admission methods must be implemented in the same round, there are no longer separate quotas for each method, and admission scores must also be converted to an equivalent scale.

What candidates are most concerned about is how will the benchmark score be different from 2024 with such technical changes?

Although there are many changes in the way of calculating benchmark scores, university representatives advise candidates not to worry because these changes are technical.

PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH

CONVERSION OF EQUIVALENT STANDARD POINTS BETWEEN METHODS

Up to this point, the formula and framework for converting equivalent admission scores between methods at universities have been determined. This formula is different at each school, but is based on the percentile of 7 common admission combinations and data comparing the correlation between high school graduation exam results and grade 12 student transcript scores nationwide that the Ministry of Education and Training has announced and instructed before.

From the conversion frame of admission scores by the transcript method to admission scores by the high school graduation exam scores of Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics (UEH), it can be seen that the difference between the transcript score and the graduation exam score between the two methods above is divided into 12 ranges. The lowest range is from 19.5 - 23.64 transcript points equivalent to 16 - 21.04 high school graduation exam points. The highest range is 29 - 30 transcript points equivalent to 25.81 - 30 high school graduation exam points.

Associate Professor Dr. Bui Quang Hung, Deputy Director of UEH, said that with this conversion framework, this year's benchmark score is not the same as last year. Before 2024, each method had its own benchmark score and the scoring scales were different and inconsistent. For example, the school's economics major had a graduation exam benchmark score of 26.3, a transcript review score of 69, and a capacity assessment score of 920.

According to this year's calculation, when converting to an equivalent scale and using the high school graduation exam score as the original method, if the standard score for the economics major in the graduation method is 26.3, then the candidate must achieve 29.55 points in the transcript and 985 points in the competency assessment test to pass. The difference between the admission score based on the transcript and the graduation exam is 3.25.

Similarly, at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, the admission score will also change. The school's conversion formula is as follows: at around 17 - 21 points, the admission score based on transcript = admission score based on high school graduation exam results + 4. At around 21 - 25 points, the admission score based on transcript = high school graduation score x 0.749 + 9.27. At around 25 - 30 points, the admission score based on transcript = high school graduation score x 0.398 + 18.06.

For example, in 2024, the school's mechanical engineering industry has a graduation exam standard score of 25 and the transcript review method is also 25, the difference between the two methods is 0 points. But if according to this year's conversion formula, the graduation exam standard score of this industry is 25, then the candidate must achieve 28 transcript points to be admitted. Thus, the difference between the two methods is 3 points.

The situation is similar at other universities.

The method of considering the ability assessment test scores or V-SAT is similar when schools will divide into ranges to give admission scores equivalent to the admission scores of the method using high school graduation exam results, while in 2024, the benchmark score does not follow this correlation.

This year, university admission scores must be converted to equivalent scores between methods.

Photo: Nhat Thinh

ENSURING FAIRNESS IN ADMISSIONS

According to Master Nguyen Thi Xuan Dung, Director of the Communication Center of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, adjusting the way to determine the benchmark score according to the equivalent scale between methods is very important for standardization, to ensure fairness and equivalence between different scales in admission. The benchmark score in 2025 is no longer determined independently according to each method but is calculated in close correlation between the methods.

Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Quang Hung said that the predicted benchmark scores for majors at UEH this year will fluctuate up/down within 1 point compared to 2024, depending on the training program. From the conversion framework and from the benchmark scores in the graduation score method, candidates applying for admission using multiple methods at the same time can know which method they were admitted by. For example, if the benchmark score for the school's economics major this year decreases by 1 point to 25.3, in which the candidate only scored 24 points on the high school graduation exam, but scored 28.4 points on the transcript, he/she will be admitted by the transcript method, because this is the equivalent score of 25.3.

Dr. Nguyen Trung Nhan, Head of Training Department of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, said that even though this year the method of calculating the standard scores of the methods has changed, bringing them to the same scale as the original method of considering high school graduation exam scores, students do not need to worry because their scores have not changed. "The conversion is the responsibility of the schools, students just need to wait for the announcement of the standard scores like every year. Whether the standard scores increase or decrease still depends on the quota of each major, the number and quality of students registering. However, according to this year's score distribution, the standard scores are likely to decrease," Dr. Nhan commented.

Master Xuan Dung commented that this year's benchmark score may be lower than in 2024, because this year's exam score range is lower, but the competitiveness in terms of percentile (position in the score range) remains the same.

"You don't need to worry about converting your scores yourself. At this time, you need to find out the next timelines and follow the regulations such as paying the admission fee. At the same time, you should learn more about the training program and learning environment at the majors and schools that you have registered for," Master Xuan Dung advised.

The next milestones TS needs to note

According to the 2025 Enrollment Plan of the Ministry of Education and Training, after the end of registration, from July 29 to 5:00 p.m. on August 5, candidates must pay the online application fee. If candidates do not submit all their wishes, they will not be considered for admission.

From August 13 to 5:00 p.m. on August 20, schools will carry out work related to exam scores.

No later than 5:00 p.m. on August 22, schools will announce the first round of admissions. After receiving the admission results, candidates will confirm their first round of admissions online on the system until 5:00 p.m. on August 30.

Is the admission floor score below average a violation of admission regulations?

Up to this point, some schools have determined the minimum admission score for majors other than health, education, and law to be below 15 points. For example, Quang Trung University ( Gia Lai province), Hung Yen University of Technical Education, Thanh Dong University (Hai Phong city), University of Labor and Social Affairs, and especially Hung Vuong University (HCMC) have set the minimum score of 12 for all majors.

Dr. Nguyen Trung Nhan, Head of Training Department of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, said that the Ministry of Education and Training only regulates the minimum admission scores for health, teaching, and law majors; the remaining majors are determined by the schools themselves. Regarding the benchmark scores, the Ministry's regulations also stipulate: "Admission scores are determined so that the number of students admitted to each major and training program is consistent with the announced quota, but not lower than the entrance threshold."

Master Nguyen Thi Mai Binh, Head of Training Department of Hung Vuong University, Ho Chi Minh City, explained that the school based on the score distribution of this year's exam subjects and the total university quota in 2024 to determine the floor score of 12. "With the quota ratio over the total number of candidates taking the exam being about 70%, it is necessary to choose a score level so that about 70% of candidates can register for university admission. While this year, many subjects have an average score much lower than last year, some combinations have a score of only about 12 or a little more," Master Mai Binh informed.

According to Master Mai Binh, this is only the minimum threshold for receiving applications, not the benchmark score. Up to this point, the school has not had data on registered students, so it is not possible to predict what the benchmark score will be this year.

Dr. Huynh Ngoc Hao, Director of the Central University of Construction in Da Nang, said that schools that set the floor score below 15 and the benchmark score at this level are not violating the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training. However, Mr. Hao said that if the benchmark score is as low as the floor score, it may only be suitable for majors in social sciences and economics, with the condition that both students and the school must work together to be able to complete university. "As for majors in engineering, technology, and natural sciences , low input will greatly affect the quality of training," Dr. Hao said.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tuyen-sinh-dh-2025-diem-chuan-khac-voi-nhung-nam-truoc-ra-sao-185250728202654881.htm