University Admissions 2025: Schools Confused About Score Conversion

Candidates come to learn about enrollment information for 2025. Photo: Nam Tran

Too many admission methods

According to Mr. Son, the purpose of converting equivalent scores is to evaluate the core competencies of candidates admitted to each major. On the other hand, the conversion also stems from major shortcomings that have occurred in the past, such as: Universities divide quotas according to each method but are not transparent and strict in admission, which can lead to risks and create negative loopholes.

Deputy Minister Hoang Minh Son affirmed that the Ministry will have general guidelines on how to convert equivalence between commonly used admission methods. According to Mr. Son, universities have the right to decide on the conversion method, but must explain the scientific basis of that method. "The Ministry provides a conversion framework for popular methods such as between academic transcript scores, high school graduation exam scores with competency assessment exams, and thinking assessment. From this basis, schools can adjust according to specific requirements," said Mr. Son. Mr. Son said that when the schools' score conversion formula is announced, the Ministry of Education and Training will monitor it, and it will only benefit candidates, and there will be no abuse of the formula to increase or decrease enrollment quotas.

According to Dr. Nguyen Anh Dung, Deputy Director of the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education and Training), one of the shortcomings of the 2024 university admission season is that there are too many admission methods. The use of many methods causes information interference; some admission methods have no or very few candidates registering, showing ineffectiveness and not ensuring fairness. Mr. Dung said that through analyzing data on regular university admission results in 2024, more than 52% of candidates were admitted based on high school graduation exam results, more than 27% were admitted based on high school academic results (transcripts).

Ensure objective conversion

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Minh Tam, Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City National University, said that this year, the university has reduced from 6 methods to 3 (direct admission, considering high school graduation exam results, considering the results of the capacity assessment test organized by the university). In addition to the direct admission method, the remaining 2 methods must convert the equivalent score scale. The graduation exam and capacity assessment test this year according to the 2018 education program are different from the 2024 program, so after the exam results are available, the Ho Chi Minh City National University Admissions Council will agree to base the equivalent percentage between the 2 score ranges to perform the conversion. The school is looking forward to receiving specific instructions from the Ministry of Education and Training soon.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Cong, Vice President of Thai Nguyen University, proposed that the conversion coefficient of top universities is different from that of middle and lower-ranked universities. For example, the lower-ranked universities tend to consider academic records, so the conversion coefficient for the high school graduation exam method may be 1.5, but the upper-ranked universities may only be 0.8. Therefore, the Ministry should provide guidance to have better conversion coefficients.

Deputy Director of the Department of Higher Education Nguyen Anh Dung recommended that universities should consider and calculate to eliminate ineffective admission methods before planning to organize admissions in the 2025 university entrance exam.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Head of the Training Department (Hanoi National University) affirmed that a database is needed to ensure objective, transparent and fair 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, the University 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, to have more basis for the conversion system.

Dr. Le Dinh Nam, Deputy Head of Admissions and Career Guidance, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said that the Northern admission group (about 60 universities) chaired by Hanoi University of Science and Technology has organized a discussion on finding equivalent conversion rules for standard scores of different methods. The general principle of conversion is to select candidates suitable for each school's training programs, so it is necessary to quantify the candidates' abilities. Hanoi University of Science and Technology plans to develop a common plan and put it into the software system for the Northern admission group to use together. Specifically, Hanoi University of Science and Technology will convert scores of other methods to the scale of the method of considering high school graduation exam results. The conversion method ensures the principle of being easy to understand and convincing to parents and candidates.

NGHIEM HUE

Source: https://tienphong.vn/tuyen-sinh-dai-hoc-2025-cac-truong-lung-tung-viec-quy-doi-diem-post1731108.tpo