Record-breaking benchmark scores for pedagogy major: No more 'rats running in the same cage'

Many new policies related to teacher training and income have been implemented, strongly affecting the enrollment of teacher training majors in recent years. Especially in 2025, teacher training has risen to the top with absolute benchmark scores in some majors.

Getting a perfect score does not guarantee admission.

Looking at the picture of the standard scores for the pedagogical sector (SP) this year, it can be seen that, regardless of whether the school is in a big city or a locality, the standard scores for the pedagogical sectors are all at a high to very high level. Compared to 2024, the standard scores for pedagogical sectors continue to increase sharply. Notably, out of the 6 sectors with an absolute standard score of 30/30 this year, there are 4 sectors in the field of teacher training (the remaining 2 sectors belong to military schools). Specifically, these 4 sectors include: Chinese pedagogical sector, English pedagogical sector (University of Foreign Languages, Vietnam National University , Hanoi ); Chinese pedagogical sector, English pedagogical sector (University of Foreign Languages, Hue University). With these 4 sectors, candidates with absolute test scores are not sure to be admitted if they do not meet the additional criteria set by the school.

Candidates admitted to Ho Chi Minh City University of Education this year complete admission procedures

PHOTO: PHONG HUYNH

This year, the University of Foreign Languages ​​( Hue University) enrolls 3 Pedagogical majors and all have very high benchmark scores based on the high school graduation exam scores. In addition to the absolute benchmark score of 30, candidates admitted to the English Pedagogical major must also meet the secondary criteria of a foreign language score of 9.5 and a literature score of 8.5 or higher; the Chinese Pedagogical major needs to achieve 10 foreign language points. In addition, the French Pedagogical major also requires over 27. Compared to 2024, the benchmark scores for these 3 majors of the school this year have increased sharply (the English Pedagogical major increased by 2.9 points; the French Pedagogical major increased by over 8 points).

The University of Foreign Languages ​​(Hanoi National University) also enrolls students in 4 teaching majors, of which the Chinese and English teaching majors have a standard score of 30 and candidates must register for this major in their first choice to be admitted. This means that if a candidate has an exam score of 30 but registers for these two majors in their second choice or lower, they will not pass. The remaining two teaching majors of the school also have a score of 28 or higher.

In other key teacher training schools, the benchmark scores for many majors are also very high. For example, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education has 2 majors with benchmark scores exceeding 29 and 4 majors above 28 (based on high school graduation exam scores). Thus, students with an average score of 9 points per subject have not been admitted to the school's teacher training group. In 2024, there are 2 majors with the highest benchmark scores, which are Literature and History, both at 28.6 points, but no major has exceeded 29 points as of now. Similarly, Saigon University also has 7 teacher training majors with benchmark scores of 27 points or higher. Of which, the highest is still Chemistry (28.98 points), followed by Physics (28.33 points), Geography (28.55 points). Compared to 2024, this year's benchmark scores are also higher. Last year, this school had 7 majors with 27 points or higher, but the highest benchmark score was only 28.25.

For northern schools, Hanoi National University of Education has 28 majors in the field of science and teacher training, 15 of which are from 27 points or higher. Of which, history teaching has the highest standard score of over 29 points. Of the 11 teacher training majors of the University of Education (Hanoi National University), there are 6 majors with a standard score of 28 or higher. Of which, the major with the highest standard score is history - geography teaching with 29.84 points. Hanoi National University of Education 2 also has 2 majors with a standard score of over 28, many other majors with 27 points or higher.

Not only key universities train teachers, the standard score for the Pedagogical major is also high for local universities. Da Lat University surprised many candidates due to the sharp increase in the standard score, especially in the Pedagogical major group. In the admission method based on high school graduation exam scores, the Mathematics Pedagogical major has the highest standard score of 28.5 (an increase of 2.7 points compared to 2024); Physics Pedagogical major takes 28.25 points (an increase of 3 points), Chemistry Pedagogical major takes 28 points (an increase of 2.75 points)...

Can Tho University also has 8 teacher training majors that require 27 points or more, of which 4 majors are above 28. Among 14 teacher training majors of Hong Duc University, 5 majors require 27 points or more. Although Tay Bac University is located in a mountainous area and far from big cities, it also has 3 majors above 28 points...

Candidates taking the specialized competency assessment exam at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education this year

Photo: Ha Anh

Only excellent academic candidates have the ability to be admitted.

With the above benchmark picture, only excellent students can be admitted to many current pedagogical training programs. This affirms the new context of university admissions, ending the situation of "rats running in the same cage to enter pedagogical training" many years ago.

Dr. Huynh Trung Phong, Director of the Center for Student Support and Entrepreneurship Development of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, said that the benchmark scores for many teacher training majors this year continue to be maintained at a high level, reflecting the sustainable attraction of the teacher training sector and the stable level of qualified teachers. The reason why the benchmark scores for teacher training majors remain at a high level comes from a combination of many factors. Notably, the specific support policies for teacher training students according to current regulations have strengthened the confidence of teachers and parents in choosing a career.

Sharing the same view, Master Nguyen Hua Duy Khang, Deputy Head of Training Department of Can Tho University, also said that the important cause comes from the state's policies and the impact of labor market information. In 2025, the first batch of SP students benefiting from the policy under Decree 116/2020 of the Government graduated from school and these students spread the policy to learners. "Good input capacity helps students absorb new knowledge better, is the motivation for teachers and students to improve the quality of training and capacity after graduation of students," Master Khang added.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Kim Hong, former Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, commented: "The high entrance score is a positive sign, it is the result of major policy changes in education by our Party and State."

According to Associate Professor Nguyen Kim Hong, starting from the promulgation of the Law on Teachers to Resolution 71 of the Politburo, the incentives in policies for the education sector and teachers have really taken effect. This is one of the factors that makes the attraction of enrollment in teaching majors increasingly high. Associate Professor Hong emphasized: "The spirit of Resolution 71 and the upcoming documents implementing the direction of the Government and the sector with education and teachers will come into practice, demonstrating the direction of the Party in implementing the policy that education is the top national policy, investment in education is investment for development".

"Compared to 10-15 years ago, the admission scores for teaching majors are now twice as high. In recent years, especially this year, the benchmark scores for many teaching majors are at or near the absolute level, proving that teaching is and will continue to be a favorite choice for students after high school. I completely believe that the generation of students choosing teaching majors this year and in the following years will create a huge change in education in the coming years," Associate Professor Nguyen Kim Hong shared.

Basic salary of teachers will increase from 2 - 7 million VND

Recently, speaking to the press before the new school year, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said that the ministry is finalizing a draft of detailed regulations on salaries, allowances and policies to attract and support teachers. Accordingly, it is expected that the basic salary of all teachers will increase, the increase will be at least about 2 million VND, and at most it can be up to 5-7 million VND/person/month. This increase is only calculated on the basic salary, not including other allowances.

In 2020, the Government issued Decree 116 regulating the policy of supporting tuition and living expenses for SP students. Accordingly, SP students who commit to working in the education sector will enjoy tuition support policies and living expenses of 3.63 million VND/month from the state budget. The support period is calculated based on the actual number of months of study at school but not exceeding 10 months/school year.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/diem-chuan-nganh-su-pham-pha-ky-luc-het-canh-chuot-chay-cung-sao-185250908195341957.htm