Military schools raise IELTS admission score to 5.5

Candidates applying for admission combining their academic records with international English certificates must achieve a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent, higher than last year's 5.0.

On June 1, the Military Admissions Board, Ministry of National Defense, issued guidelines for direct admission and priority admission for the 2023-2024 school year.

Accordingly, the biggest change compared to last year is the English certificate requirement for the group of candidates applying for admission combined with their academic records . They must have excellent academic performance and good conduct in grades 10, 11 and the first semester of grade 12. In addition, candidates must have an English certificate with a minimum score of 5.5 IELTS or 55 TOEFL iBT, up from 5.0 and 50 points last year.

Candidates using Chinese certificates must achieve HSK4 or higher, and TRKI2 or higher in Russian, similar to last year.

Another new point is that this year, military schools accept SAT and ACT results (two standardized tests used for admission to US universities) with the combined review method of high school transcripts. The scores required for candidates to submit their applications are 1,068/1,600 SAT and 18/36 ACT, respectively.

For the group of candidates who combine their academic records with awards, the criteria remain unchanged from last year. Candidates must have won first, second, or third prizes in provincial competitions for excellent students in the subjects included in the admission group. Note that military schools only accept awards received before or during the year the candidate graduates from high school, and do not apply to independent candidates who graduated in previous years.

For direct admission and priority admission candidates, all criteria are similar to every year.

Military schools still consider direct admission according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training. Candidates are considered for direct admission if they are Labor Heroes, People's Armed Forces Heroes, emulation fighters who have graduated from high school; have won third prize or higher in national or international competitions for excellent students or science and technology; are ethnic minorities with very few people or live in poor border or island districts.

The priority admission group includes candidates who are eligible for direct admission but do not use this benefit; and who have won consolation prizes (or fourth prizes) in national exams.

Candidates taking the 2022 high school graduation exam in Thanh Hoa on July 6. Photo: Le Hoang — Candidates taking the 2022 high school graduation exam in Thanh Hoa on July 6. Photo: *Le Hoang*

Regardless of the group, candidates must pass the preliminary round and meet the requirements of the Ministry of National Defense in terms of character, ethics, and health. Therefore, candidates need to prepare two documents: preliminary round and admission round.

According to the Ministry of National Defense's schedule, by June 25 at the latest, candidates need to register for admission and complete preliminary application documents at the Military Admissions Board at the district level where they are registered as permanent residents.

This year, 17 military schools recruit nearly 4,400 students, a decrease of about 450 compared to last year. Candidates can only register their first choice at a military school right from the initial application, the remaining choices must be registered at non-military schools. Admission is based on high school graduation exam scores.

Candidates who fail to pass their first choice will be considered for their next choice in order of priority of the registered choices.

In 2022, more than 11,100 candidates registered for admission to military schools, while the total quota is about 4,800. The standard score based on high school graduation exam results for military schools ranges from 17.35 to 29.79, of which four schools have a score below 20.

Thanh Hang

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