Many major universities 'say no' to converting score differences between groups

This year, the National Economics University set the minimum score for the 2025 high school graduation exam at 22 points for all four admission groups, including: A00 (Math, Physics, Chemistry), A01 (Math, Physics, English), D01 (Math, Literature, English), D07 (Math, Chemistry, English).

National Economics University affirms that there is no difference in admission scores and passing scores between admission groups. The school only converts the equivalent standard scores between admission methods including high school graduation exam scores; SAT scores; HSA competency assessment test scores; TSA thinking assessment test scores; V-ACT competency assessment test scores, specifically as follows:

Many major universities 'say no' to converting score differences between combinations - 1

Similarly, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy recently announced the difference in scores between admission combinations of the same major based on the method of considering the results of the 2025 high school graduation exam, combining the results of the 2025 high school graduation exam with international certificates for admission.

Accordingly, the school determined that the B00 combination (Math, Chemistry, Biology) is the original combination. The school has no difference in admission scores between the A00 (Math, Physics, Chemistry), B03 (Math, Biology, Literature), B08 (Math, Biology, English) combinations compared to the B00 combination of the same major. The floor score threshold this year of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy is from 17-22 points, the highest being in Medicine and Dentistry.

This year, although many combinations are used for admission, the University of Commerce only applies a common benchmark score for all combinations of admission for the same major. Specifically, the benchmark score is determined for each major, taken from top to bottom, with no difference in scores between combinations. The floor score according to the school's high school graduation exam score method is 20, the same as last year.

Although Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry has built a correlation function to convert admission scores between admission methods, for the 2025 high school graduation exam method, the school does not convert between combinations. Dr. Nguyen Trung Nhan, Head of the school's Training Department, explained that in the admission combinations, the school has included 2 core subjects, so conversion is not necessary.

At the University of Technology, Ho Chi Minh City National University , Associate Professor Dr. Bui Hoai Thang, Head of Training Department, said that this year the school uses a combination formula to determine the admission score. In which, the high school graduation exam score accounts for 20% of the total admission score and the school does not convert scores between combinations. According to Mr. Thang, using the combination formula is enough to determine the admission score.

Vietnam Aviation Academy has announced the rules for converting combinations between methods, but there is no formula for converting combinations within the same method. The Academy notes that it only converts the floor score and admission score, not the candidate's admission score.

Many major universities 'say no' to converting score differences between groups. (Illustration photo)

The 2025 high school graduation exam recorded a significant difference in the score distribution between admission groups. This poses a major challenge for educational institutions in ensuring fairness and input quality. In that context, the Ministry of Education and Training announced the percentile table of high school graduation exam scores of 7 university admission groups for schools to refer to and convert, see details: Here.

However, the Ministry of Education and Training only provides a reference percentile table, while schools are given autonomy in enrollment and are allowed to build their own conversion tables suitable to their training characteristics. This creates a situation where each school has its own conversion method.

For example, Hanoi Law University uses combination D01 (Math, Literature, English) as the base combination to determine the difference in scores with the school's 8 admission combinations. The result determined that combination A00 (Math, Physics, Chemistry) is 1.39 points higher than D01; A01 (Math, Physics, English) is 0.29 points higher; C00 (Literature, History, Geography) is 3.24 points higher. The remaining combinations have no difference in scores with combination D01.

While the Diplomatic Academy determined that the admission combination C00 is 3 points higher than the combination D01. The remaining combinations have no difference in points. Hanoi Capital University announced that for majors with combination C00, the remaining combinations will be added 0.75 points. Majors without combination C00 will have no difference in points.

From an expert's perspective, Associate Professor Dr. Le Viet Khuyen, Vice President of the Association of Vietnamese Universities and Colleges, said that each school has a different score conversion table, without a common formula, which will make candidates afraid of "unfairly failing" if they choose the wrong school with an unfavorable conversion method. Therefore, candidates can easily choose the admission combination because it is safe and the conversion formula is easy to understand instead of pursuing their favorite major.

"When choosing a combination or major based on safety, rather than real interests and abilities, candidates can easily fall into a situation where they cannot fully develop their abilities and study a profession that is not their favorite. From there, they can easily lose motivation to study, or even drop out of school halfway," said Mr. Khuyen.

Associate Professor Dr. Le Viet Khuyen said that if the use of percentiles is not implemented consistently and transparently, it will become a "virtual scoreboard", creating confusion instead of fairness. Therefore, universities need to agree on a scientific method of converting scores.

"Although schools currently have the right to set many of their own criteria, they should only limit themselves to one or two main criteria for admission and apply them to the entire university education system. Only then can we ensure comparability and fairness in admission," Mr. Khuyen emphasized.

Kim Anh

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/nhieu-truong-dai-hoc-lon-noi-khong-voi-quy-doi-do-lech-diem-giua-cac-to-hop-ar956982.html