Vietnam to Abolish IELTS Bonus Points in University Admissions from 2027, Sparking Debate

Vietnam is set to abolish bonus points for IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores in university admissions from 2027. The announcement, made just two weeks into the new academic year, has raised concerns among students and educators about the short preparation time. The policy is understood to be a measure aimed at enhancing fairness in university admissions. However, concerns have been raised that the implementation date is too soon, especially considering that students in major urban areas generally have better access to English language learning resources than those in rural regions. While IELTS centers, preparatory classes, and materials are abundant in cities, they are limited in many rural areas, potentially exacerbating the disparity in learning opportunities through the advantage of language proficiency. Many students have dedicated years to learning English and paid for IELTS exams. With the policy taking effect from 2027, students currently in their 10th or 11th grade, or those who had already planned to obtain the certificate, will be forced to adjust their university admission plans on short notice. This situation is feared to catch those who have been studying according to their current plans off guard, making them scramble to adapt. On the other hand, it is argued that students who already possess IELTS qualifications need not excessively worry about their certificates becoming meaningless. English proficiency itself remains a practical skill with real value in academic and professional pursuits. The issue lies in the potential fluctuation of the certificate's value within the admission mechanism, not in the diminishing necessity of learning English. Therefore, if the abolition of IELTS bonus points is a step towards a more equitable admission process, a roadmap with sufficient time for students and parents to adapt is deemed necessary. Changes in the admission system can affect a student's long-term study plans, making clarity and predictability as crucial as the policy's objectives. An immediate implementation is seen as creating a situation where individuals are caught unprepared. Fairness in admissions is a critical goal, but it should be accompanied by a sufficiently clear roadmap to prevent students currently in their studies from having to scramble at the start of a new academic year.