Rural candidates worry about losing their chance to get into university

From Hung Yen to Hanoi University of Science and Technology to attend the Admissions and Career Counseling Day 2022 on the morning of May 8, Trang visited the consulting booths of the economic school group. Hearing many questions about the entrance examination method that combines international foreign language certificates with high school transcripts or test scores, Trang is somewhat disheartened because she has not had the opportunity to use that method.

With the highest aim of entering the University of Commerce, Trang was very nervous when she read the expected enrollment method at the beginning of the year. This year, the school uses the following methods: Judging by the results of the graduation exam (45-50%); Considering academic records (for students in specialized schools) and results of the competency assessment exam of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (10%) and considering the combination, using foreign language certificates, international exams or academic prizes good students (45-50%).

Not a professional student, without an international certificate like IELTS or SAT, nor a provincial award, Trang calculated that she lost half of her opportunities. Some business schools have admissions records for non-specialized students. But with an average score of more than 8, Trang sees herself as having a low chance of being admitted by this method. I can only look forward to the competency assessment exam of Hanoi National University and the high school graduation exam.

Female student Hung Yen believes that not only her but also many students in rural areas also share the same feeling of anxiety because the opportunity to go to university is narrower than their urban counterparts. For example, in Hanoi, the number of specialized schools is more, you are better invested in learning English and have earlier access to getting certificates like IELTS, TOEFL or SAT. “Thanks to this, you can apply for admission by more methods to many majors of many schools. Obviously, the chance of being admitted is much greater than us”, Trang said.

At the Enrollment and Career Counseling Day, many parents and candidates expressed similar concerns when many schools reduced their admissions quotas by the results of the high school graduation exam – a method that all candidates can use. This may make it impossible for students in disadvantaged areas to compete with candidates in favorable areas.

Facing this concern, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thu Thuy, Director of Higher Education (Ministry of Education and Training), affirmed that most schools still use the method of reviewing high school graduation exam results in addition to many other methods. , including major schools.

“The number of enrollment quotas equal to the results of the high school graduation exam has decreased, but it is only a shift between the two main methods of considering high school graduation exam scores and academic records,” Ms. Thuy said, citing statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training. Education and Training in recent years shows that 90% of the university admission target is still assessed by these two familiar methods, only 10% are considered by other methods such as using the results of the competency assessment or combined international certificates. She affirmed that the method of reviewing high school graduation exam scores and academic records is still the main thing, will not greatly affect candidates in disadvantaged areas.

According to Ms. Thuy, universities will gradually shift to capacity assessment with other enrollment methods suitable to the requirements of each school and training field. However, at present, the university admission methods are still quite stable and very convenient for candidates.

“If they don’t get into this school, they still have opportunities to go to many other schools. Of course, when they want to get into the top schools, the level of competition is always high, no matter what method,” Ms. Thuy said. more.

Reassuring parents and students, Prof. Nguyen Tien Thao, Deputy Director of the Training Department, Director of the Hanoi National University Examination Center, emphasized that not only candidates compete with each other, but universities also compete to get the best students. Therefore, instead of worrying, Mr. Thao advised the students to focus on preparing for the competency assessment exam or the high school graduation exam.

“Those who are capable don’t need to worry because there are still many chances of being admitted to the right schools,” said Mr. Thao.

Currently, there are about 20 university admission methods, many schools use many methods and combinations at the same time. At an enrollment conference held by the Ministry of Education and Training on March 16, Ms. Thuy said this was not wrong, but the fact that many schools allocate quotas for unreasonable methods can cause difficulties for students. Candidates.

This year, the Ministry of Education and Training requires schools to ensure the principle of stability. With regard to the enrollment methods being used, if you want to reduce or eliminate the quota, it is necessary to have a roadmap to reduce (for example, no more than 30% of the total target per year) so as not to cause disturbances to study and review. student’s.