Amidst the score conversion 'matrix', candidates are confused about their wishes. What do experts advise?

TPO - The benchmark scores are hard to predict, each school has a different way of converting scores, making the selection process confusing and "heartbreaking" for many candidates. They have to weigh their dreams against the reality of their exam scores to choose a major and a school.

Le Minh Chi, a student who just graduated from Dong Anh High School ( Hanoi ), shared that after finishing the High School Graduation Exam, she achieved 26.5 points for 3 A00 group exams. At first, she was excited because that was also the score she set as her target and achieved.

However, after the Ministry of Education and Training announced the percentile table, the conversion of scores between combinations was quite new. For the first time, 27 points of combination A00 were converted to 25.5 points of combination D01. Not to mention, each school has a conversion table of scores between admission forms, making candidates feel confused and worried.

Minh Chi shared that she has completed "spreading" 19 wishes into the Economics and Logistics majors of universities. "With the point conversion method like this year, I have lowered my target compared to my plan to ensure safety, not daring to "bet" on placing my first wish at a top school like before," Chi said.

Candidates taking the 2025 graduation exam. (Photo: Nhu Y)

According to the female student, 12th grade students have had to go through many new things, from the curriculum, exam plans, exam structure to university admission. Setting wishes on how to be admitted to the dream career, dream school and the reality of exam scores becomes more and more stressful.

After much hesitation and balancing between choosing a major and choosing a school, I prioritized choosing a major and reduced my goals in the hope of being accepted and getting into the major I liked at the University of Commerce near my home.

Disadvantaged because of "free" exam

A student from Ninh Giang High School (Hai Phong) shared that this year he registered for the D01 combination "dry" with 3 subjects Math, Literature, English and got 22.5 points to apply for university admission without any foreign language certificate, did not participate in the ability assessment test, nor did he take the thinking assessment test, so he felt extremely disadvantaged. Each university converts points in a different way.

According to the male student, each university converts scores in a different way, making candidates feel like they are caught in a "matrix". What is confusing to him is that an economics school includes Geography and History as secondary criteria.

For example, the University of Economics (VNU Hanoi) adjusted the total score of any 2 subjects in the combination (except English) according to the method of International English Certificate combined with high school learning results, but had Literature + History/or Literature + Geography) reaching 15 points or more in the high school graduation exam.

The admission scores are hard to predict. The male student said he has placed 15 applications but still does not feel secure. He will continue to closely monitor the schools and experts' predictions to make further changes.

According to the male student, “most schools consider foreign language certificates as a disadvantage for students in rural areas, disadvantaged areas, and families with limited means. I think foreign language certificates should only be a factor in adding points instead of being converted into points as they are now. If there is no adjustment, in the future, whether they want it or not, students will have to compete to study for certificates. In fact, to get a foreign language certificate, students have to go to extra classes and practice for exams with a large amount of money.”

According to experts, this year's benchmark scores are difficult to predict, so the advice is that students need to base on graduation exam scores, capacity assessment results, and thinking assessment results to "spread" their wishes, in which increasing the number of wishes will increase the chance of being admitted. Note that all wishes must be registered on the Ministry of Education and Training's enrollment support system between July 16 and 5 p.m. on July 28.

Mr. Vu Khac Ngoc, a Chemistry teacher in Hanoi, said that in 2025, the admission scores for universities are very difficult to predict because there are many influencing factors. He predicted that the admission scores may set a new level.

However, Mr. Ngoc said that the Ministry of Education and Training does not limit the number of wishes, so students need to have a strategy to arrange their wishes reasonably according to groups of favorite majors and schools but the entrance scores of previous years are higher than their exam scores; groups of favorite majors and schools with the same admission scores as their exam scores last year; groups of favorite majors and schools with the same admission scores last year as their exam scores.

In the context of many fluctuations in enrollment, enrollment experts say that candidates must proactively grasp information, carefully study enrollment plans and score conversion methods of schools.

Many candidates are confused by the percentile table, trying to determine the ranking to adjust their wishes. But that is not necessary. We need to focus on the floor score - that is the real basis for the registration decision.

In particular, experts advise that university is a big turning point, but choosing the wrong major can cause your study and career journey to go astray, wasting time and money. You need to choose a major that is truly suitable for your passion and personal goals.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, from July 16 to 5:00 p.m. on July 28, candidates can register, adjust, and add admission wishes an unlimited number of times. Admission wishes are ranked from 1 to the end and will be processed on the system. Each candidate will only be admitted to the highest wish among the registered wishes when ensuring the admission conditions.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/giua-ma-tran-quy-doi-diem-thi-sinh-boi-roi-dat-nguyen-vong-chuyen-gia-khuyen-gi-post1763737.tpo