Sai Gon University has used other methods for many years, including aptitude tests organized by the HCM City National University (applied to majors related to teacher training); the results of V-SAT (computer-based university entrance exam); and the results of high school finals.

The HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy has historically used three methods, including high school final exam results; high school final results plus international certificates in English; and direct enrollment (students with high learning achievements can be admitted to schools without having to take entrance exams).

This year, the school has decided to use one more method – considering SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) results, but this is only accepted for health sciences and odonto-stomatology.

A university rector told VietNamNet that high school transcripts are not a good enrollment method.

“What should schools do and whom should they enroll – a student in a mountainous area with a GPA (grade point average) of 9, and another student in a large city with GPA of 7? Will they enroll the one with GPA of 9?” he said.

The educator said that the problem lies in different kinds of assessment in different areas, and at different schools. 

Nguyen Ngoc Khoi, head of the training division at the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, said the school uses other enrollment methods rather than high school transcripts because the other methods can select the best students for the school.

Sai Gon University said students’ high school learning records depend on subjective opinions and assessments of schools and teachers. The school can find the best students and ensure fairness for students by asking them to attend common exams.

Whether universities should use high school transcripts is a long lasting debate. 

Those educators who advocate the method believe that high school learning results can reflect students’ abilities through a long period of study, while exam scores are just a ‘game of chance’. Many excellent students sometimes get a low score because of temporary circumstances.

Those who oppose the method said high school transcripts don’t truly reflect students’ abilities, because teachers may fabricate their learning results. 

That is why many students have very high GPAs at high schools, but fail university entrance exams.

Though the long debate continues, many schools have decided to stop enrolling students based on high school transcripts, beginning from the 2025 enrolment season.

The HCM City University of Education, for example, has announced cancelation of enrolment based on high school transcripts.

From 2025, the enrollment methods to be used by the school include PT1: direct enrollment (students don’t have to attend university entrance exams). The number of students admitted with this method will account for 10 percent of total students, PT2: prioritizing students from high schools for the gifted (10-20 percent); PT3: students’ results of aptitude tests (40-50 percent); PT4: high school final results (20-40 percent) for majors that use PT3, or 70-80 percent for majors that don’t use PT3.

Dr Huynh Trung Phong said the move aims at ensuring fairness, transparency and favorable conditions for students. This will increase the quality of students and ensure graduates who can meet requirements of the modern labor market.

With the latest decision, aptitude tests will be the major enrollment method for the school. Students’ results of two subjects will be considered for admission. This will comprehensively assess students’ learning capability and their fit for majors, according to Phong.

The HCM City Industry and Trade University has also decided to cut the proportion of students based on high school records from 30 percent to 20 percent, starting from 2025. After that, the school may consider removing this enrollment method.

Thuy Nga