IELTS scores create inequality in admissions, especially in highly competitive majors
The Ministry of Education and Training has just announced a draft Circular amending the enrollment regulations, in which it proposes that from 2027, there will be no more bonus points set by training institutions for certificates, achievements or additional criteria.
Mr. Nguyen Tien Thao - Director of the Higher Education Department, Ministry of Education and Training, said that this is an urgent adjustment to ensure that all candidates applying for the same major are evaluated according to the same input requirements, on the same scale; and at the same time make enrollment more transparent, simple and substantive.
From 2023, the Ministry has requested equivalent conversion to reduce the difference; in 2026, it will continue to control bonus points up to 10% of the total admission score. However, Mr. Thao assessed that when each school self-converts and self-determines bonus points, the difference is still large.
Inadequacies are also reflected in reality, some majors do not require foreign languages, but candidates with English certificates are still given bonus points. For example, for majors that only consider Math, Physics and Chemistry, a candidate with higher results in three subjects may still fail before candidates with lower professional scores but get bonus points.
However, Mr. Thao also emphasized that the draft does not remove foreign language certificates from enrollment and does not deny the achievements of excellent students.
Foreign language certificates are still used to convert and replace foreign language subject scores in the admission combination according to public rules; prove the foreign language input requirements of the foreign language training program; or be considered for recognition of modules and output standards according to regulations.
Candidates who win national and international excellent student awards are still considered for direct admission if they meet the conditions of the regulations. Direct admission is also not included in the limit of three methods for each major from 2027.
The draft only proposes not to use bonus points self-regulated by the training institution for achievements, certificates or additional criteria (plus points for candidates with IELTS certificates, provincial excellent student awards...)" - Mr. Thao said.
Adjustments need a roadmap
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hieu Hoc - Head of the Faculty of Educational Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology - said that the IELTS story first needs to be viewed from a scientific perspective of measurement and evaluation.
According to Mr. Hoc, IELTS is a standardized tool for assessing English proficiency. A candidate with IELTS 7.0 has provided relatively clear evidence of foreign language proficiency at the time of assessment. However, IELTS scores do not directly indicate that the candidate has higher mathematical, technical thinking or other professional competence.
“Therefore, the question should not just be ‘Is IELTS good or not?’, but more importantly: What decisions are IELTS results being used to make? If a training program in English or can prove foreign language proficiency is an input requirement directly related to learning ability in the program, then using IELTS as a proof of proficiency is grounded. But if IELTS becomes a bonus point for industries where foreign languages are not an important input requirement, then it is necessary to review the suitability of that usage method,” Mr. Hoc analyzed.
According to Mr. Hoc, the important thing is to distinguish between the quality of the assessment tool and the rationality of using the assessment results. One tool can assess a specific competence well, but if the results of that tool are used for a purpose not directly related to the competence that the program needs to recruit, then the method of use may still be inappropriate. He also believes that it is necessary to distinguish fairness in admissions from fairness in learning opportunities.
“Not adding IELTS scores can address a fair issue at the time of admission, especially when adding scores can change the admission order. But this measure does not automatically solve the difference in foreign language learning conditions, access to teachers, learning materials or standardized exams between students in different regions and circumstances. Therefore, in the long term, fair policies not only need to adjust the use of certificates in admission but also to expand opportunities for more students to form and prove their foreign language skills. This is especially meaningful when the Party and State's policy is to gradually make English a second language," Mr. Hoc stated his point of view.
From the perspective of designing admission methods, according to Mr. Hoc, schools also need to clearly identify whether IELTS is being used as a proof of the truly necessary foreign language proficiency for the program, or just an additional factor to change the admission order. The use of certificates needs to be linked to the entry requirements of each major and must have a clear explanation basis. Another very important factor is the stability and predictability of policies.
Students do not prepare for university for a few months. Studying IELTS, choosing subject combinations or preparing for the aptitude test can take many years. Therefore, even a reasonable change in expertise needs a roadmap that is clear enough and early enough for learners and families to adapt. This both ensures the effectiveness of the policy and limits the disadvantages arising for students who have prepared according to previous regulations" - Mr. Hoc said.
