Nhiều trường đại học bỏ tổ hợp truyền thống, giảm xét học bạ từ năm 2026 | VTV24

Key Concepts

• Phương thức tuyển sinh đại học: University admission methods.
• Tổ hợp truyền thống: Traditional subject combinations for admission (e.g., C00, A01).
• Xét học bạ: Admission based on high school academic records.
• Điểm thi tốt nghiệp trung học phổ thông: National high school graduation exam scores.
• Bài thi đánh giá năng lực/tư duy: Aptitude/thinking assessment tests.
• Chứng chỉ quốc tế: International certificates.
• Ngành sư phạm: Pedagogy/teaching-related majors.
• STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
• Điểm ảo: Inflated or unrealistic scores.
• Năng lực thật: Actual abilities.

Summary of University Admission Trends in Vietnam

Shift Towards Standardized Admission Methods

Starting from 2026, many universities across Vietnam are expected to adjust their admission methods by phasing out certain traditional subject combinations, such as C00 (Literature, History, Geography) and A01 (Mathematics, Physics, English), and reducing the weight of academic record-based admissions (xét học bạ). This trend has been observed in recent years and is gaining momentum. Universities are increasingly opting for methods with higher standardization, including:

• National High School Graduation Exam Scores: Scores from the official high school graduation examination.
• Aptitude/Thinking Assessment Tests: Standardized tests designed to evaluate students' abilities and critical thinking skills.
• International Certificates: Recognition of qualifications from international educational programs.

Specific University Policy Changes and Rationale

1. Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi)

• Change: From 2026, the C00 subject combination will no longer be used for admission to 15 majors.
• Rationale: While acknowledging the potential impact on applicant numbers, the university accepts this change to attract students with strong foreign language proficiency.
• Student Adaptation: Students aware of these changes are proactively adapting. For example, one student initially considered C00 but switched to C03 (Literature, History, Civic Education) after learning about the trend of universities discontinuing C00 and finding C03 widely accepted.

2. Hanoi University of Technology (Vietnam National University, Hanoi)

• Change: The university plans to discontinue admissions based on D (various combinations including English) and B (Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology) subject combinations.
• Rationale: For crucial majors, a strong foundation in Mathematics and Physics is essential. This is particularly important for Information Technology programs, where a lack of STEM proficiency hinders a student's ability to succeed.
• Comparison to Past Systems: The transcript highlights a concern that the proliferation of admission methods has led to a significant increase in student dropouts after the first year, contrasting with the past when distinct subject blocks (A, B, C, D) resulted in very few students leaving.

3. Trend of Reducing Academic Record-Based Admissions (Xét Học Bạ)

• Observation: The trend of reducing admissions based on academic records has been evident for several years.
• Data: From 2022 to 2024, the proportion of students admitted through this method decreased to nearly 28%, a drop of approximately 10%.
• Contributing Factor (2025): The average academic record score in 2025 was 2.26 points higher than the national high school graduation exam scores. This significant disparity has prompted universities to pay closer attention to reducing reliance on academic records.

4. Hanoi Pedagogical University 2

• Change: From next year, the university will discontinue academic record-based admissions for 17 majors, primarily those related to teaching.
• Rationale: These teaching-related majors are identified as highly competitive, and the university aims to ensure a rigorous selection process.
• Continued Use of Academic Records: However, seven majors will still utilize academic record-based admissions. This method is prioritized for students considered "disadvantaged" or "vulnerable."

5. Hanoi University of Science and Technology (Hanoi University of Technology)

• Change: The university will replace academic record scores with scores from the thinking assessment test for its "Talent Admission" (xét tuyển tài năng) phương thức.
• Previous Practice: Traditionally, academic records accounted for 40% of the total application score.
• New Approach: This component will now be replaced by the thinking assessment test score.
• Argument for Standardized Testing: While academic records reflect a student's three-year learning process and are a good measure, using them for direct comparison when students' scores are very close (e.g., a difference of 0.01 points) can create unfairness between students from different schools or provinces. Standardized tests are seen as a way to mitigate this risk.

Overarching Argument: Towards Fairer and More Standardized Admissions

The overall shift in university admissions is towards more standardized evaluation methods, aiming to bridge the gap between inflated scores ("điểm ảo") and actual student capabilities ("năng lực thật").

Call for Early Announcement of Admission Plans

Universities are urged to announce their admission plans early, especially any changes to subject combinations and admission methods. This will provide students with sufficient time to prepare systematically.

Impact of 2026 Graduation Exam Schedule

• New Schedule: The 2026 National High School Graduation Exam is scheduled for June 11th and 12th, two weeks earlier than in the current year.
• Consequence: The university admission timeline will also be pushed forward accordingly. Universities must announce their admission plans no later than May 15th, 2026.

Conclusion

The Vietnamese higher education system is undergoing a significant transformation in its admission processes. The move away from traditional subject combinations and a reduced reliance on academic records, in favor of standardized aptitude tests and national exams, aims to create a more equitable and effective selection system. This transition requires proactive communication from universities and diligent preparation from students to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education admissions.