University Admissions 2026: Ministry of Education and Training surveys universities on considering academic records

Whether to abolish or keep the consideration of academic records and the maximum rate of quotas for using academic records are issues that the Ministry of Education and Training is consulting schools on before making a general direction.

Meanwhile, universities have different trends in 2026 enrollment directions such as not using transcript scores, using transcript scores as one of many admission criteria, using transcript scores but reducing the level of dependence...

No decision yet to continue or abolish admission based on academic records

The Ministry of Education and Training has just sent to universities and colleges nationwide a plan to implement university and college enrollment in 2026. The Ministry also requested universities to develop enrollment plans and promptly announce enrollment information with key points as a basis for students to have a study and review plan for the 2026 high school graduation exam.

Many universities adjust the way they use high school transcript scores in admissions.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Also according to the plan, before February 15, 2026, universities must complete the announcement of enrollment information on the school's website. Direct admission and priority admission methods will continue to be applied in 2026, while the Ministry has not yet decided whether to continue or abolish other admission methods, including high school transcript admission.

Previously, on September 18, at the 2025 University Education Conference organized by the Ministry of Education and Training in Hanoi, the issue of considering eliminating university admission based on academic records was mentioned. In fact, in the 2025 admission process, the system uses 17 admission methods, of which 42.4% of candidates are admitted based on academic records. According to a representative of the Department of Higher Education, although the number of candidates admitted based on academic records has a great impact on admission results, the impact of this method on learning outcomes is an issue that needs to be considered by universities. Therefore, it is time to reconsider whether to maintain admission based on academic records or not.

At the conference to survey the current situation of university and college admissions for preschool education organized by the Ministry of Education and Training in Ho Chi Minh City on November 6, the Ministry conducted a survey to collect opinions from experts and managers on the orientation of building regulations for university and college admissions in 2026. Notably, there was a question related to admissions using academic results (transcripts). The specific question was asked about the percentage of admission scores using academic results limited to what level, with 4 possible answers: not more than 50%, not more than 30%, no limit, not considering academic records.

Some survey questions related to foreign language certificates, bonus points, regional and target priority policies. The Ministry also noted the recommendations and proposals of schools on new points that need to be added to the 2026 admission regulations, regulations that need to be amended or abolished, and recommendations for university admission policy orientations for the next 5 years.

How are universities oriented?

In 2026, universities will have many different orientations with the method of considering transcripts such as: not using transcript scores, using transcript scores as one of many admission criteria, using but reducing the level of dependence...

According to the expected enrollment information for 2026, some universities have "said no" to considering transcripts for admission. For example, the University of Technology (Hanoi National University) plans not to use transcripts in any admission method in 2026, and will not directly admit candidates who have won national or international science and technology awards like in previous years. The school continues to use 3 main admission methods based on high school graduation exam scores; Hanoi National University's HSA; and SAT certificates.

Meanwhile, since 2025, some schools have not used transcript scores as an independent admission method, only using them in the combined method or preliminary selection conditions. Since 2025, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education has not used the independent admission method based on high school transcripts, but high school transcript scores are still used as the basis for admission in some methods and areas of admission. For example, in the combined admission method of entrance exams, the specialized competency assessment exam scores are still used in combination with transcript scores in the same method.

According to Master Nguyen Ngoc Trung, Vice Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, in 2026 the school plans to maintain the same admission method as in 2025. Specifically, the school's three main admission methods include: direct admission and priority admission for specialized students; consideration of high school graduation exam scores; and combined admission with entrance exams. In which, combined admission includes specialized competency assessment scores and academic records; high school graduation exam scores or specialized competency assessment scores with aptitude test scores.

Similarly, in recent years, most of the admission quotas of the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University) are based on a combination of criteria: academic performance, academic achievements, and cultural, sports , and artistic activities of candidates. In the academic component, high school grades account for about 10% of the admission score (in addition to the scores of the Ho Chi Minh City National University or Hanoi National University's competency assessment exam and high school graduation exam scores). In 2026, the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University) is expected to basically not change the admission method compared to the previous year. Thus, high school grades are used as one of the bases for admission of this school's candidates.

Similarly, Nha Trang University plans to maintain the same admission method as in 2025. In recent years, the school has not considered transcripts but mainly considered the results of the competency assessment exam and high school graduation exam scores. Transcript scores are used as a pre-selection condition for candidates before official admission.

Candidates admitted in 2025 complete admission procedures. This year, 42.4% of candidates were admitted based on academic records.

Photo: Dao Ngoc Thach

Gradually reduce the proportion of considering academic records in 2026

The 2026 enrollment plan of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry is expected to remain stable as in 2025 with independent methods including: direct admission according to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training; admission based on the results of the Ho Chi Minh City National University's capacity assessment exam; admission based on the results of the high school graduation exam; admission based on a combination of high school study results and outstanding achievements (if any).

Dr. Nguyen Trung Nhan, Head of the school's Training Department, said that the 2026 enrollment method will remain unchanged, but the school will reduce the proportion of enrollment methods based on high school transcript scores next year.

Following this admission trend, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade plans to stop considering admission based on high school transcripts from 2028. According to Master Pham Thai Son, Director of the Admissions and Communications Center, from 2028, the school plans to combine many factors to assess candidates' overall capacity based on high school transcripts, high school graduation exam scores, capacity assessment test scores, etc. In 2026, the school plans to continue applying 5 admission methods as in 2025, including: admission based on high school graduation exam results, admission based on 3-year high school study results, consideration of Ho Chi Minh City National University's capacity assessment test results, consideration of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education's specialized capacity assessment test results combined with high school study scores, direct admission according to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

From 2025, Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City will use admission methods including: comprehensive admission based on high school academic results and achievements, V-SAT exam results and high school graduation exam scores (in addition to direct admission and priority admission according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training and combining study with interviews for bachelor's programs with partners' degrees). Admission methods in 2026 will remain stable as in 2025, in which high school academic scores are a criterion used for admission in combination with other criteria.

Some universities have not used transcript scores in university admissions for many years: Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Saigon University...

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tuyen-sinh-dh-2026-bo-gd-dt-khao-sat-cac-truong-dh-ve-xet-hoc-ba-185251113182012982.htm