On February 2, HUST’s Admissions and Career Orientation Office announced the top scorer for the initial round of its annual thinking test - a key component used by nearly 50 universities across the country in their admissions processes.

In this round, five candidates achieved scores above 90. Another 59 scored over 80, while 564 students surpassed the 70-point mark. The average score across all test-takers in the first round was 54.01.

Other high-scoring students in this round came from Bac Giang High School for the Gifted (Bac Ninh), Lien Ha High School (Hanoi), An Duong High School (Hai Phong), and Hung Yen High School for the Gifted (Hung Yen).

Last year, the highest score was achieved by a student from Bac Ninh High School for the Gifted, who earned 98.61 out of 100 - the highest ever recorded since the test’s inception.

Held on January 24–25, the first round of the 2026 thinking test attracted nearly 17,000 high school students across 11 provinces and cities - a 22% increase from the previous year.

The exam maintained its consistent structure, consisting of three independent sections: Mathematical Thinking (60 minutes), Reading Comprehension Thinking (30 minutes), and Scientific Thinking/Problem Solving (60 minutes). Rather than testing rote subject knowledge, the questions aim to assess students' reasoning and cognitive skills in each area.

Currently, nearly 50 universities - spanning top engineering schools in northern and central Vietnam, institutions in economics, law, banking, multi-disciplinary universities, medical schools, as well as private and international universities - accept HUST’s thinking test results for admission.

Test scores are valid for two years and can be used for multiple application cycles.

In addition to this round, Hanoi University of Science and Technology will organize two more testing rounds on March 14–15 and May 16–17, 2026.

Thuy Nga