Tighten enrollment methods to reduce inflation of scores
The Ministry of Education and Training expects that in 2027, each major and training program will only apply three enrollment methods, excluding direct admission and group admission. From 2028, schools will only be allowed to use one enrollment method for one major and program.
In addition, the Ministry expects that from 2027, there will only be priority points by region and policy beneficiaries. Universities are not allowed to use bonus points set by themselves for achievements, certificates or additional criteria.
Assessing the above proposals, Dr. Hoang Phuong, Head of Digital Marketing and Social Communications Program, British University Vietnam (BUV) said that this is a systematic adjustment step to contribute to overcoming the "chaos" of admission methods, reducing score inflation and returning the enrollment process to the true nature of competency assessment.
Dr. Hoang Phuong said that in the previous period, schools used admission methods with small-scale quotas, creating a complicated matrix, causing psychological pressure and high opportunity costs for students. The streamlining forces the system to be more transparent, helping candidates easily monitor and develop focused learning strategies.
However, according to Ms. Phuong, reducing the number of methods means minimizing the situation of one candidate being admitted by many different methods to the same major, causing difficulties for virtual filtering and target management of schools. When each major/training program only uses one method by 2028, higher education institutions will be under pressure to find or design an assessment tool with sufficient reliability, differentiation and high coverage to choose the right student profile suitable for their expertise.
Besides, this change limits the separation of too many admission doors and increases transparency between groups of candidates. To compete, schools are forced to shift from creating admission methods to improving the quality of real training" - Dr. Hoang Phuong analyzed.
Eliminate IELTS and SAT bonus points to end the situation of benchmark scores exceeding 30
Dr. Hoang Phuong said that the fact that schools automatically add points for IELTS, SAT or sub-awards once created great inequality, especially disadvantageous for candidates in areas lacking conditions to access expensive tutoring centers. Therefore, converting foreign language certificates into converted component points or floor criteria (necessary conditions) instead of adding points "beyond the frame" will end the situation of admission scores exceeding the standard score scale, and at the same time, return international certificates to their correct function: A measure of language proficiency or standardized thinking, not a type of "soft power" to circumvent other core subjects.
The change in enrollment regulations forces students and parents' strategies to shift from "accumulating bonus points and carpeting" to "early orientation and substantive concentration". IELTS, SAT or international certificates will return to their proper function as a subject converted to points or floor criteria" - she said.
In this context, Ms. Phuong advises students to complete international standardized tests no later than the end of the 2nd semester of 11th grade. Parents should not force students to race to learn more types of certificates, sub-awards or poor quality extracurricular certificates just to "hunt" for bonus points.
The time and costs saved from rampant certificate exam preparation should be focused on training deep thinking and consolidating knowledge in key subjects.
Dr. Hoang Phuong said that students need to clearly define the target major right from 10th or 11th grade.
Once you have identified the target industry and school, students need to focus 100% of their efforts on the ultimate requirements of that school. If the school considers admission based on competency assessment, practice high-intensity logic thinking and data processing exercises.
If the school requires comprehensive admission, spend time practicing interview skills, clearly showing a consistent personal portrait. Start getting acquainted with the exam structure of Aptitude Assessment or Thinking Assessment. Students need to narrow down the gaps in knowledge (usually subjects not belonging to traditional strength exam blocks) to gradually cultivate" - Dr. Hoang Phuong said.
