According to the admission principle, candidates can register a maximum of 15 admission aspirations to different majors and schools on the common system. These aspirations must be arranged in priority order from highest to lowest and are only recognized as admitted to the highest aspiration that meets the conditions. In the virtual filtering stage, the Ministry of Education and Training will coordinate with training institutions to process admission data on the common system to eliminate the situation where one candidate is admitted to multiple aspirations at the same time. The system will compare data from all schools, automatically removing candidates from lower aspirations if they have been admitted in higher priority aspirations.
The virtual filtering will take place in 6 rounds, helping schools accurately determine the number of expected enrollment candidates, thereby adjusting the benchmark score appropriately to recruit enough quotas.
Benchmark score prediction
Currently, many universities have issued benchmark score forecasts for 2026. At Hanoi University of Science and Technology, the majors of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (Advanced Program), Computer Science are still forecast to be in the group with the highest benchmark scores, above 28.5 points according to the high school graduation exam score method. The group of majors Computer Engineering, Digital Space Safety, Information Technology, Control - Automation Engineering, Microelectronics Engineering and Nano Technology is expected to fluctuate from 27.5 to 28.5 points. Meanwhile, some majors such as Textile and Garment Technology, Biological Engineering, Food Engineering and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Chemistry are expected to take about 20-22 points.
National Economics University forecasts that this year's benchmark score will decrease by about 0.25 points compared to last year, ranging from 23 to 28.5 points. Majors in the fields of economics, business and data analysis are still forecast to have the highest level of competition.
At the Academy of Finance, the entrance score threshold for 2026 is forecast to be from 21 to 27 points for the main campus in Hanoi; from 17 to 20 points at Hung Yen Branch and from 18 to 21 points at Ho Chi Minh City Branch, with a fluctuation of about 1 point compared to the previous year.
Hanoi Medical University forecasts that the benchmark scores for majors applying for admission using the B00 combination (Math, Chemistry, Biology) may increase from 0.5 - 1.4 points compared to 2025, approaching the level of 2024. For other combinations such as A00 (Math, Physics, Chemistry) and D01 (Math, Literature, English), the score level will be converted to be equivalent according to the bách phân vị method.
University is not the only path
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Thao - Director of the Higher Education Department, Ministry of Education and Training - said that scores are just a "ticket" that opens up initial opportunities, and the journey ahead depends on each person's efforts and choices. The important thing is that students determine who they want to become, what job they pursue and how they can contribute to their families and society. The value of an individual is not only measured by a university degree or job position, but also in lifelong learning ability, sense of responsibility, bravery and aspiration to contribute.
He analyzed that Gen Z entered university in the context of rapidly developing science and technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), data science, semiconductors, robots, new energy, nuclear power and high-speed railways. This change will make many jobs supported or partially replaced by AI, while opening up many new occupations. Therefore, the advantage will belong to those who are able to learn continuously, adapt to change and know how to combine technology with humanistic thinking.
According to Mr. Thao, the most important question of the enrollment season is not "which school to pass", but choosing the right path to develop capacity and create value for society. Candidates should not choose majors based on trends, crowd psychology or achievement pressure, but need to carefully understand the training program, learning environment, research opportunities, practice and career prospects before making a decision.
For parents, he hopes that parents will accompany their children in the process of choosing a major, orienting them but not imposing, expecting but not creating pressure, so that they are listened to, respected and grow up from their own decisions.
According to the plan of the Ministry of Education and Training, after the virtual filtering period, higher education institutions must complete admission consideration and announce benchmark scores before August 13. Candidates confirm online enrollment in the first phase before 5:00 PM on August 21. From August 22, schools will organize supplementary admissions if there are still quotas.
Virtual filtering process for university admission in 2026
The virtual filtering process can be understood as using admission software to filter out candidates who have been admitted to higher aspirations to other schools from the expected admission list that the school sends to the system. This ensures that each candidate is only admitted to 1 highest aspiration that they are eligible for. Talking to reporters, Dr. Tran Khac Thac - Head of Training Department, Thuy Loi University - said that after the candidates finish the time to pay admission fees and review personal information, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) coordinates with training institutions nationwide to review enrollment data.
The general virtual filtering is carried out by the Ministry of Education and Training 6 times according to the process, starting from August 4th to 1:30 PM on August 9th. At 5:00 PM on August 9th, training institutions will enter the admission score and admission results into the system. In addition to the 6 general virtual filtering sessions organized by the Ministry of Education and Training, training institutions coordinate in virtual filtering groups. In 2026, Hanoi University of Science and Technology continues to chair the Northern virtual filtering group, and Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City will chair the Southern virtual filtering group.
Before 5 pm on August 13, training institutions will announce the results of admission scores and the list of candidates admitted in phase 1.
The Ministry of Education and Training reminds schools not to require candidates to confirm enrollment or enroll before August 13th and not to end the confirmation of enrollment or end enrollment before 5 pm on August 21st.
Trang Trang
