Minimum scores for medicine and pharmacy fields rise again

Minimum scores for 11 health sector fields, including medicine and pharmacy, are set at 18-22 this year, marking an increase after a significant drop last year.

The Ministry of Education and Training announced on 8/7 the minimum admission scores for 11 health sector fields, including medicine and pharmacy, for the 2026 academic year. The scores are set between 18 and 22 points, representing an increase from last year's figures. This minimum threshold is calculated from the total scores of three high school graduation exam subjects in the chosen admission combination, along with any priority points.

Medicine and Odonto-Stomatology fields require the highest minimum score of 22 points, a 1,5-point increase compared to last year. Traditional Medicine and Pharmacy follow with a 20-point minimum. Other fields in the health sector admit candidates from 18 points upwards, including: nursing, preventive medicine, midwifery, dental prosthetics technology, medical laboratory technology, medical imaging technology, and rehabilitation technology.

Last year, the minimum scores for these fields ranged from 17 to 20,5, which was the lowest since the Ministry established a common quality assurance threshold for the health sector. For the 7 years prior, these minimum scores consistently fell between 18 and 22,5 points, primarily within the 19-22 range.

The increase in minimum scores for medicine and pharmacy aligns with a rise in average scores for key admission combinations. The average score for the B00 combination (Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology), a traditional and primary block for medical admissions, reached 19,69 this year, up 1,4 points from last year. The A00 combination (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry), also used for these fields, saw a slight increase of 0,04 points, reaching 19,41.

Admissions experts anticipate that the final benchmark scores for these fields will also increase. University benchmark scores are expected to be announced after 17h on 9/8.

Candidates can access VnExpress's University Lookup page for comprehensive admission information. This resource provides details such as subject combinations and historical benchmark score fluctuations by major and university, assisting candidates in making informed choices for their higher education.