Vietnam to Significantly Reduce University Admission Methods to Enhance Fairness

Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training is set to significantly reduce the number of university admission methods starting in 2027. This move aims to address the issue where students with similar abilities might receive different treatment due to multiple admission channels and to alleviate the burden of tracking numerous methods. According to Professor Nguyen Tien Thao, Director of the Higher Education Department, universities will be allowed to use a maximum of five admission methods (excluding direct admissions and quota-based admissions) in 2027. However, each major or program will be limited to applying only three methods, a reduction of two from the current system. Furthermore, from 2028, each major or program will be permitted to use only one admission method, whether it be based on high school graduation exam scores, aptitude test scores, or academic transcripts. Professor Thao noted that adjustments made in the 2022-2026 period, such as abolishing early admissions, standardizing equivalent scores, limiting the number of methods, and setting thresholds for admission and maximum bonus points, have led to positive changes. Notably, with the introduction of official conversion tables, the score gap between aptitude tests and the high school graduation exam has narrowed from 2.6 to 1.2 points. However, the equivalence has not been uniform. Statistics indicate that over 2,000 programs (more than 40%) using two or more admission methods show a score difference of 3 points or more between these methods. Scores from academic transcripts within the same major code tend to be significantly higher than those from the high school graduation exam. "When the scales are not truly equivalent, dividing a major into multiple admission channels can lead to different treatments for students with the same abilities," Professor Thao stated. Additionally, bonus points from IELTS and other international certificates are expected to be phased out in the future. Professor Thao emphasized that the reduction in methods is a roadmap to ensure each major has the most suitable assessment method, not a policy to force all universities and majors to use a single type of exam score. He clarified that this aims to broaden equal opportunities, not reduce access. Each method must ensure that all eligible candidates can participate, with clear criteria and a common scoring scale. Universities are responsible for selecting the methods that align with their program's entry requirements. Independent test results, academic transcripts, or certificates can still be used if they are transparently structured within the announced method. "The overarching spirit of the draft is that admissions must go hand-in-hand with quality standards, verifiable data, and accountability," said Professor Thao. "Students will have a reduced burden of tracking too many admission methods, but will still be able to use their academic results, test scores, and certificates as per regulations." In addition to these adjustments, the Ministry also plans to eliminate bonus points beyond regional and preferential category points, clearly define recruitment sources and admission thresholds, require standardization of deviations between different test combinations, and not require candidates to resubmit documents or certificates already available in the system. The Ministry is soliciting feedback on the draft until September 23.