Each school converts equivalent benchmark scores
One of the important new points of the 2025 university admission season is that the admission scores of universities will be converted to equivalent between admission methods and combinations, bringing them to a common scale.
The Ministry of Education and Training has announced the total score table of some popular combinations of the 2025 high school graduation exam, including 5 traditional combinations including A00 (Math, Physics, Chemistry), A01 (Math, Physics, English), B00 (Math, Chemistry, Biology), C00 (Literature, History, Geography), D01 (Math, Literature, English).
In theory, schools will rely on this conversion table to refer to and implement the conversion of their units according to the decentralization method to ensure fairness between admission methods. But in reality, the implementation method is very inconsistent, each school converts in a different way. Some schools specifically interpret the conversion formula, but some schools only announce the final conversion results without a detailed explanation.
For example, with a score of 100/150 on the Hanoi National University's competency assessment test, candidates can convert it to 24.25 points on the high school graduation exam when applying to Hanoi University of Industry. Meanwhile, if admitted to Hanoi National University, 100 points are converted to 27.25 points of the A00 combination, 26.5 points of the B00, 27.75 C00 combination and 24.25 D January.
At the National Economics University, candidates achieved 28 - 30 high school graduation exam scores equivalent to 114 - 128 HSA competency assessment test scores; 22 - 24 high school graduation exam scores equivalent to 85 - 89 HSA competency assessment test scores,...
Thus, the same competency assessment score, the conversion score to a 30-point scale of each school is different. Not to mention, most schools announce very late, causing students to be passive in the process of finding information.
"Reward, confusing. I just hope that schools have a supported website, candidates only need to enter points and the system will help calculate" - Nguyen Nhat Vy, a student at Bac Ninh High School for the Gifted (Bac Ninh) said, after many days of following the scoring rules of each school, especially when students use many admission methods.
Dang Phuong Thuy (Thai Nguyen) also felt confused between the information matrix and the equivalent score conversion methods of schools. It took me a whole day to read and understand the conversion formula and table of only 1 of many schools I had a wish for. In addition, I also had to use a table making and calculation tool for many days.
Hanoi University of Science and Technology - Hanoi National University Benchmark Score Conversion Table
Candidates worry about unfairness
Not only seeing "blind puppets", Nhat Vi is also worried about unfairness in the admission process.
For example, Vi said, the Diplomatic Academy announced that block C00 will have a benchmark score 3 points higher than the D01 complex (taken as a benchmark). As for Hanoi Law University, the difference between these two combinations is 3.24.
"So if the admission score for the D01 block is 27 points, we need to have a score of over 30 to be admitted to these two schools" - the male student raised the issue.
Not only students, but parents themselves also feel "blinded" by this year's enrollment information.
"I also saw mentioning converting some benchmark scores, but honestly, I don't understand it at all. For the past few days, I have been rolling, losing sleep and appetite" - Ms. Mai Thanh Thao (Dak Lak), a parent whose child is considering admission to university this year, also confided.
Be careful when registering wishes
In the context of many fluctuations in enrollment, enrollment experts all believe that candidates must proactively grasp information, carefully research enrollment plans, and exchange scores of schools.
Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Duy Hai, Head of the Admissions - Career Guidance Department of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, noted that candidates only need to follow 3 steps: Query their wishes according to their level of preference and desire; choose a school; choose a major (for each wish).
Candidates do not need to register for each admission combination, or specific admission method, because the system will automatically choose the most beneficial combination/metody for candidates.
Mr. Hai also said that the Ministry's admission system only displays general data, while the data serving the admission of each school will be handled by the schools themselves after the candidates update all the data to the system.
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Phu Khanh, Vice Principal of Phenikaa University, advised: "This year, converting equivalent benchmark scores between different subjects. So if the exam scores change, it must be the thinking score, ability score or transcript score... that also change. Candidates can still refer to the benchmark scores of previous years, but should not put too much faith in it".
