According to the deputy minister, the average admission score across all schools and majors in 2025 was 19.11 (on a 30-point scale), down from 22.05 in 2024. This drop stems largely from lower average results in math, English, and biology in the national high school exam.

Yet, the number of perfect scores rose sharply: 15,000 nationwide, 1.5 times higher than 2024. In math alone, over 500 students achieved a perfect 10, compared to none the year before. “This shows strong stratification: top students can reach very high scores,” he said.

As a result, strategic majors such as artificial intelligence, chip design, computer science, and teacher training saw their admission scores soar. “These are exactly the fields we want to attract talent to. The high benchmarks are a positive signal,” he stressed.

Score conversion for fairness

A key reform this year requires universities to standardize admission scores across different methods - exam results, transcripts, or competency tests - ensuring fairness in entry-level benchmarks.

Son explained that in past years, inconsistencies often emerged: the same major could have very different scores depending on the method. “This year, such discrepancies did not occur,” he said.

While universities still have autonomy to factor in international certificates like IELTS or SAT, the ministry capped extra credit and priority points at 10%, with final scores not exceeding 30. “Foreign language skills matter, but fairness must be preserved,” he said.

Virtual filtering ensures order, not illusion

This year’s “virtual filtering” system, which runs multiple rounds, ensures that each applicant is admitted to their highest-ranked eligible choice. Son rejected claims that repeated filtering creates “false” results: “It’s a technical process that guarantees fairness, preventing one candidate from occupying multiple spots.”

With hundreds of universities involved, multi-round filtering helps stabilize the system, ensuring a fair allocation of slots.

Towards sustainable fairness

Son emphasized that reforms in 2025 - from score conversion to priority caps and multi-round filtering - aim to enhance equity and transparency. “There can never be absolute perfection, but step by step we are reducing unfairness. The essence of admissions is to ensure opportunities for those with true capability and effort,” he said.

While some worry that high cut-off scores mean lost opportunities, Son disagreed: “If one major has 100 slots and 200 high scorers, the top 100 get in. The rest still have other majors and schools to enter, thanks to multiple applications.”

He concluded that healthy competition drives improvement. Compared with systems in Japan or South Korea, Vietnam’s exams today impose far less pressure. What matters most, he said, is not the score itself but a transparent, fair admissions system that matches students with the right opportunities.

VGP