On 29/5, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM) responded to inquiries regarding its second Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City Aptitude Test (VACT) questions.

Previously, in a test preparation group, some candidates claimed that logic questions in the Scientific Thinking section of the second VACT exam matched reference materials for the US Law School Admission Test (LSAT). They raised concerns about fairness, as many students had prior exposure to this content at test preparation centers.

Following a review, VNUHCM stated that the questions differed in terms of context, data, characters, conditional systems, problem phrasing, and answer choices compared to the mentioned materials. While some questions exhibited similar forms in reasoning methods or logic models, the university considers this common in assessments. Aptitude tests often employ basic logical reasoning models, such as ordering, grouping, conditional reasoning, or elimination, to evaluate candidates' thinking abilities. Therefore, formal similarity cannot be considered "a direct translation or copy from questions of another test".

Dr. Nguyen Quoc Chinh, Director of the Center for Testing and Educational Quality Assessment, stated that the aptitude test question bank was developed by a highly specialized team following a rigorous process. Each question undergoes several steps before being included in the bank: compilation; expert review; independent appraisal; pilot testing on a sample of candidates; analysis of measurement parameters; and review, adjustment, and acceptance. "Experts research and reference models and formats of international exams. This is a common practice," Mr. Chinh emphasized.

VNUHCM has not recorded any signs or evidence indicating the question bank or the second exam for 2026 was leaked. Nevertheless, the university will continue to conduct a comprehensive review of the question bank, especially the Logic section, to ensure exam quality.

Some logic questions, as recalled by candidates (right), are said to match reference materials for the US LSAT exam (left). *Photo: Candidate provided*.

The VNUHCM aptitude test comprises three sections. The Scientific Thinking section includes 12 logic - data analysis questions and 18 scientific reasoning questions. Questions are designed to provide information, data, and facts, requiring candidates to apply them to determine experimental results, predict patterns, and more. The Language Use section consists of Vietnamese and English with 60 questions. The final section is Mathematics, with 30 questions.

The second aptitude test took place last week, with over 170,000 candidates participating, making it the largest private university entrance exam. Results will be announced on 6/6. The first phase in April attracted nearly 133,500 candidates, with an average score of 682 out of 1200. The lowest score achieved was 27 points, and the highest was 1098. Currently, 118 universities and colleges use VACT results for admission.

Candidates taking the VNUHCM aptitude test at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education test site, in April 2026. *Photo: Quynh Tran*.

Le Nguyen