2021 University Admission Cut-off Scores for USSH: A Perspective

This year, the Korean Studies program at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) set a cutoff score of 30 points for the C00 group. Therefore, to be admitted to this program, candidates must achieve three perfect scores of 10 (out of 30) or receive bonus points. This is the second consecutive year that this program has set the maximum cutoff score of 30/30.

New students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities on their enrollment day in 2020.

Further discussing this field of study, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) shared the following information with the Vietnam Education e-magazine:

The cut-off scores for university admissions in 2021 increased in most fields of study. This was predicted even before the high school graduation exam results were released, so when universities announced their cut-off scores on the evening of September 15th, students and parents were not too surprised.

This year's scores tend to increase more in the traditional C and D subject combinations. For the training programs at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the average increase is about 0.5 to 1.5 points – basically as predicted.

The increase in the 2021 admission scores can be attributed to several main reasons, including the following:

Firstly, the average scores in the 2021 high school graduation exam increased slightly in subjects belonging to groups C and D, so it's understandable that university admission scores also increased.

Secondly, universities are increasingly using admission methods beyond high school exam results, such as admission based on academic transcripts, direct admission through international certificates, international and national awards, and aptitude tests.

The increase in the proportion of admissions based on high school results as described above has led to a decrease in the number of places universities allocate for admissions based on high school exam results. With the average high school exam scores increasing while the number of places allocated for admissions based on high school exam results decreases, it is understandable that the cut-off scores have risen.

Thirdly, the complicated developments of the pandemic have disrupted the study abroad plans of many candidates; therefore, many have chosen to study domestically. These students all possess good foreign language skills, resulting in high scores in the entrance exams for the D-group subjects.

Professor Hoang Anh Tuan and students of the Faculty of Humanities

Finally, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan explained that the unusually high cutoff scores only occurred in some majors, not across all majors and training programs. For example, the cutoff score for the C00 combination in Korean Studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) continued to stand at the maximum 30/30 points for the second consecutive year. Some of the main reasons include:

The enrollment quota for Korean Studies is very low: out of a total of 50 places, 15 candidates have already been admitted directly based on international certificates, national awards, etc., leaving only 35 places available for admission based on high school exam scores.

The number of applications is high (nearly 1,800 places for Korean Studies divided among 35 remaining places, so the average competition rate for all subject combinations reaches over 51 applications for 1 place, and the competition rate is even higher for combination C00).

Priority points based on region and policy group as stipulated by the State caused the total score (after adding priority points, up to a maximum of 2.5 points for minority candidates in Region 1) of the students to exceed the 30/30 threshold. In reality, no candidate achieved the maximum score of 30/30; they only reached or exceeded the 30/30 threshold due to the addition of priority points.