Converting equivalent scores for university admission: Hoping for guidance from the Ministry of Education and Training soon

Currently, many universities have proactively sought solutions to convert equivalent scores, but are still waiting for instructions from the Ministry of Education and Training.

COMPARE LEARNING RESULTS TO FIND CONVERSION RULES

According to Dr. Le Anh Duc, Head of Training Management Department, National Economics University, after the Ministry of Education and Training issued a policy that schools should not divide the quota for each admission method but must convert the equivalent standard scores between the methods, the school has reviewed the admission data to this University in the past 3 years (about more than 20,000 students).

From there, the school compares the scores of students admitted to the school using different methods, finding a method to convert equivalent scores.

Candidates took the aptitude test for Ho Chi Minh City National University last weekend. According to regulations, this year schools must convert the equivalent benchmark/admission score between methods to a common scale.

PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH

The conversion principle is based on each score range. In each range, a separate formula can be determined because the correlation between the scores is different. In addition, the National Economics University also considers the data on student learning outcomes, divided by the admission method group that the student is admitted to. There are 5 groups (according to the exam that students use for admission), the entrance scores of students are all converted to high school scores on a scale of 30 (because almost all candidates have this score). Then calculate the average learning score (at the National Economics University) of each group. The results show that with the same conversion score but with the method, students have higher learning outcomes. For example, at the same score after being converted to a scale of 30, the group of students using the SAT test scores has slightly better learning outcomes than the group of students taking the high school graduation exam.

After the results of the two exams for assessing capacity and graduating from high school this year, we will convert the equivalent scores, planning to base on equal percentages, based on the targets of each field. We look forward to the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training to implement the next steps.

Associate Professor NGUYEN MINH TAM, Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City National University

Therefore, the National Economics University Admissions Council recently decided to set priority coefficients for methods that students with high academic results achieve. However, whether this can be implemented or not is still waiting for the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training, to see if the Ministry allows schools to set priority coefficients for different methods, helping schools prioritize students using methods that are suitable for the school's training goals. "When we talk about giving priority to the group with higher SAT scores, there must be evidence that after conversion, within the same score range, that group has better academic results at university. But the level of priority must wait for the distribution of high school graduation exam scores this year. After the Ministry of Education and Training officially issues guidance, the National Economics University can announce the basic principles of equivalent score conversion," said Dr. Le Anh Duc.

D. PLAN TO DEVELOP A GENERAL PLAN FOR THE RECRUITMENT GROUP

Dr. Le Dinh Nam, Deputy Head of Admissions and Career Guidance at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, also said that the Northern admissions group chaired by Hanoi University of Science and Technology organized a discussion for the group (including 60 schools) on finding equivalent conversion rules for standard scores of the methods.

The requirement for schools is to convert in order to select candidates suitable for the training programs. The regulations only require converting the standard scores, but to serve the recruitment process, schools need to quantify the capacity of candidates, to have a list of candidates in order of converted scores. Only then can schools recruit according to the quota of each major or recruitment code. Therefore, what schools have to do is not only convert the standard scores but also convert the candidates' review scores, then take the list from top to bottom.

Hanoi University of Science and Technology plans to develop a common plan for the Northern admission group, then put it into the software system of this group for schools in the group to use together. Specifically, Hanoi University of Science and Technology will convert the scores of other methods to the scale of the method using the results of the high school graduation exam, because this is the most widely used method. Second, to make it easier to understand and convince parents, schools will divide the ranges, then unify the ranges to use the interpolation of the conversion function, linear in each segment. Third, it is necessary to provide a basis for conversion. For example, a candidate with 50 - 60 points in thinking can correspond to 20 - 24 points in the high school graduation exam.

Candidates taking the high school graduation exam. The results of this exam are used to consider university admission.

Photo: Nhat Thinh

NEED MORE DATA

According to Dr. Le Dinh Nam, to have a basis for this conversion, schools need a lot of data for the following purposes: First, re-analyze the learning results of students in the years in relation to the admission method. Second, the score distribution of the admission source. For example, Hanoi University of Science and Technology currently has a talent selection method, so it needs data on the scores of this method; then it needs the score distribution of the thinking assessment exam, the score distribution of the high school graduation exam. Third, it is the basis of the mathematical parameters in those score distributions, and the characteristics related to the score distributions.

"There is a problem that schools have been working on for a long time but have encountered difficulties when considering admissions for different combinations. After the exam scores were available, the Ministry also announced the deviation between the combinations, but the calculation of that deviation was only at a relative level. That is the score distribution of the combinations in a method. Now we have the starting points of the methods. Therefore, schools need mathematical tools to provide additional support," said Dr. Le Dinh Nam.

Similarly, Associate Professor Nguyen Anh Tuan, Head of Training Department, Hanoi National University, said that in order for the conversion to be objective, transparent and fair, there needs to be a database to carry out the conversion. Hanoi National University has sent a dispatch to the Ministry of Education and Training requesting to be provided with a database of academic records and high school graduation exam scores, to have a basis for comparison. In addition, Hanoi National University also hopes that the Ministry of Education and Training will announce the comparison scores of previous years between academic records and high school graduation scores for universities, so that universities have a basis for making a conversion system, ensuring objective conversion, ensuring fairness for each candidate.

Associate Professor Nguyen Minh Tam, Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City National University, said that based on the direction of the Ministry of Education and Training, Ho Chi Minh City National University has reduced the number of admission methods. Previously, there were 6, this year there are 3, in addition to direct admission according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training, admission is based on the results of the capacity assessment and admission is based on the results of the high school graduation exam, so only 2 methods need to be converted. This year, Ho Chi Minh City National University has innovated the capacity assessment exam to suit the new general education program, so data from previous years' exams cannot be used to convert equivalent scores. This year's high school graduation exam will also have differences compared to previous years. "Therefore, after the results of these two exams this year, we will convert equivalent scores, planning to base it on equal percentages, based on the quotas of each field. We look forward to the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training to implement the next steps," Associate Professor Nguyen Minh Tam shared.

According to Associate Professor Nguyen Huu Cong, Vice Director of Thai Nguyen University, the Ministry of Education and Training should unify the conversion principle framework. "In my opinion, the coefficient K of the upper group schools must be different from that of the lower group schools, the average group. The lower group may be more biased towards academic records, for example, so the coefficient K of academic records to high school may be 1.5; while the upper group may have K only need to be 1.1, or even 0.8. The Ministry should have guidelines to have better conversion coefficients," said Associate Professor Nguyen Huu Cong.

Mr. Cu Xuan Tien, Head of Admissions Department of the University of Economics and Law, Ho Chi Minh City National University, said that the school plans to accept about 20% of the candidates who wish to apply for admission to the school. Therefore, the school does not consider the score distribution of the entire exam but looks at the score distribution of the candidates who apply for admission to the school.

Thus, there must be data from the candidate submitted to the school in order to produce the official coefficients to be announced to society. The school intends to announce them to the candidate in principle in advance, and the coefficients will only be announced after the candidate submits his application to the school.

Requirements for point conversion

According to the draft guidelines for university and college admissions in 2025, the Ministry of Education and Training requires that the conversion of equivalent benchmark scores by methods must be simple, easy to understand, and convenient for application. In particular, schools use data from high school graduation exam scores or high school learning results as the basis for developing conversion rules.

Schools analyze statistical data on the number of students admitted by each method (at least 2 consecutive years ago) and the academic results of each student.

From the correlation between university learning outcomes and the score distribution of the methods of the same group of candidates; the threshold to ensure input quality (floor score) to the maximum level of the assessment scale, schools must determine at least 3 score ranges (for example, excellent - good, fair, pass), from which to build at least 3 linear correlation functions (3 first-order functions) for these score ranges.

The Ministry of Education and Training will announce the standard rules after the 2025 high school graduation exam results are available. Universities will base on the specific characteristics of the admission codes to complete their own change rules.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/quy-doi-diem-tuong-duong-xet-tuyen-dh-mong-som-co-huong-dan-tu-bo-gd-dt-185250402182914241.htm