Based on the score distribution of 12 high school graduation exam subjects, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc, President of the University Council of the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, observed a decrease in the average scores of all subjects compared to last year, except for physics.
Math saw the most significant drop, from 6.45 to 4.78, shifting the score distribution from a right skew to a left skew. Chemistry followed with a 0.62 decrease in average score, down to 6.06. Physics was the only subject with an increase, from 6.67 last year to 6.99 this year. Examining the higher end of the score distributions, the percentage of high scores (8 and above) significantly decreased, especially in math and English. In previous years, the proportion of high scores reached 20-30%.
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High school graduation exam takers in Ho Chi Minh City on 27/6. Photo: Quynh Tran |
Dr. Nguyen Trung Nhan, Head of the Training Department at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, added that only 12% of students scored 7 or higher in math, compared to over 45% last year.
The number of students achieving good and excellent scores in chemistry and biology also dropped sharply. About 34% of students scored above 7 in chemistry, a decrease of nearly 16%. In biology, the percentage was 22%, down from 33% last year.
Based on this analysis, admissions experts predict a decrease in admission scores for most universities and majors. Dr. Nhan and Associate Professor Bui Hoai Thang, Head of the Training Department at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, believe that majors using the A00 (math, physics, chemistry) and B00 (math, chemistry, biology) combinations will see the most significant drops. Dr. Nhan predicts a decrease of 2-3 points.
"Initial predictions suggested significant drops in admission scores for combinations like A01 (math, physics, English) or D01 (math, literature, English). However, the score distribution indicates a more substantial decrease for A00 and B00," said Associate Professor Thang. "It is highly likely that the admission score for Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology will also decrease."
However, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc and Master Do Ngoc Anh, Director of the Center for Information and Communication at Hanoi Open University, predict a 2-3 point decrease for majors requiring math and English.
Admission scores for combinations involving literature and geography are expected to decrease slightly with minimal fluctuation. This is because the average scores for these two subjects remained relatively stable compared to last year, at 7 and 6.63, respectively.
An admissions expert at a Hanoi university agreed with Professor Duc's prediction. They also suggested that admission scores based on academic transcripts or competency assessments might decrease due to the conversion to the 2025 high school graduation exam scores. Therefore, previous years' admission scores hold little comparative value for this year's applicants.
"With this year's score distribution, many students may struggle to adjust their university applications, opting for 'safer' choices. This could lead to significant fluctuations in admission scores for mid-tier universities," Master Do Ngoc Anh commented.
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High school graduation exam takers in Ho Chi Minh City on 27/6. Photo: Quynh Tran
After receiving their high school graduation exam scores, students have 10 days to submit a request for re-marking if they wish, with the deadline being 25/7.
Finding the right university and major: Students can register, adjust, and supplement their university applications an unlimited number of times until 5 PM on 28/7. They can then submit application fees online from 29/7 to 5 PM on 5/8.
University admission scores will be announced before 5 PM on 22/8.
Le Nguyen - Tam Hang
