'University admission based on graduation exam scores is still the main method'

According to statistics, there have been more than 10 admission methods announced by universities in the 2022 admission season.

However, according to leaders of some universities, candidates should not worry because the admission method is basically based on scores.high school graduation examstill accounts for a large proportion.

Talk toProfessor Le Thanh Son, Vice Principal of University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoisaid that basically, this year, the school's enrollment plan will be similar to 2021.

"This year, the school will have an additional method of considering the results of the competency assessment test organized by Hanoi National University, while other methods will remain the same as every year."

Candidates taking the 2021 High School Graduation Exam. Photo: My Ha

According to Mr. Son, with a training facility for many basic sciences such as the University of Natural Sciences, in 2022, the admission method using high school graduation exam scores will still be the main method.

“Because almost all students take the high school graduation exam. Meanwhile, the number of candidates who can come directly to the competency assessment exam organized by Hanoi National University is not too many, partly due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic.”

Therefore, Mr. Son affirmed that the admission quota using the 2022 high school graduation exam scores of the University of Natural Sciences is basically stable.

“This year, the school will reserve about 80-85% of the total enrollment quota for the option of using high school graduation exam scores, the rest will mainly be based on the results of the competency assessment test organized by Hanoi National University. Thus, enrollment will mainly be based on these two methods, because the direct enrollment method does not account for many enrollment quotas.”

Last year, the number of quotas that the University of Natural Sciences allocated for the plan of using high school graduation exam scores was about 90%. Thus, this change is not too significant.

Due to the impact of the pandemic, this is the second year Vietnam has organized the High School Graduation Exam in two sessions. Photo: My Ha

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Thanh Chuong, Vice Principal of University of Transportsaid that although the school has not yet announced the official plan, it is expected to be not much different from last year. That is, the proportion of admission methods based on high school graduation exam scores into the school's majors still accounts for the majority.

According to Mr. Chuong, it is expected that the number of students admitted by considering high school graduation exam scores will still be around 50%-70% or more depending on the major. Last year, this number was 70%.

"If there is any change, it will only be that some majors will add an admission method using the results of the Thinking Assessment test organized by Hanoi University of Science and Technology," said Mr. Chuong.

Therefore, according to Mr. Chuong, the admission quota based on high school graduation exam scores may decrease, but slightly. Therefore, candidates do not need to worry too much.

At many other universities, the quota for admission using high school graduation exam scores still accounts for the majority.

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Viet Thai, Head of External Relations and Communications Department, University of CommerceThis year, the quota for admission based on graduation exam scores has been reduced by 20% compared to last year, to give way to admission based on IELTS foreign language certificates and transcripts from key high schools.

Teachers of Le Viet Thuat High School guide students to register for the 2021 High School Graduation Exam. Photo: My Ha

However, the number of quotas that the school reserves for the admission method based on the results of the 2022 high school graduation exam is expected to still be from 45-50%.

Hanoi University of Industry in 2022 will also enroll up to 6 methods, but the admission method is based on the results of the 2022 high school graduation exam, according to the admission subject combinations corresponding to the registered major, with the total expected expenditure still about 60%.

Previously,Ms. Nguyen Thu Thuy, Director of Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education and Training)According to statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training, in 2021, the number of universities using high school graduation exam results for admission was more than 92%; the number of schools using high school academic results (transcripts) for admission was more than 77%.

This data shows that most schools use the two basic methods mentioned above. However, this is not as important as the specific enrollment quotas and figures of schools in the entire system.

“According to the total enrollment quotas determined by schools, as well as the actual enrollment numbers in 2021, 90% of candidates enroll by one of two methods: using high school graduation exam results or high school academic results (transcripts). The total number of candidates admitted by other methods is less than 10%. Thus, in the past 2 years, that trend has not changed much. It can be said that the proportion of admission by other methods is not high compared to the overall number,” Ms. Thuy analyzed.

Therefore, Ms. Thuy commented that in 2022, with the Covid-19 epidemic situation not yet completely controlled (not favorable for organizing separate exams and common Competency Assessment exams), the admission rate for the methods may still be similar and stable as in the 2020-2021 period.

“In the following years, when independent testing centers are operating stably, the proportion of top schools using these results will increase dramatically (to gradually replace the high school graduation exam results). Separate exams organized by groups of schools will also account for a larger proportion and be more widely accepted. The trend will not be as high as the exam results of independent testing centers because organizing exams is costly and difficult; if using a reliable service, schools will switch to using the service.”

Ms. Thuy also said that the Ministry also recommends that when schools propose admission methods and targets, they need to ensure stability, avoiding causing disruptions and major fluctuations that affect candidates' learning and preparation.

Therefore, according to Ms. Thuy, candidates and parents should not worry too much, because the trend of the 2022 admission season will not change too much, the admission plan will basically remain relatively stable compared to 2020 and 2021.