Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) 2020 University Entrance Examination: Use a minimum of 2 exam components to form the admission combination.

- Mr. Vice Director, could you please provide some information about the 2020 university entrance exam at Vietnam National University, Hanoi?

The year 2020 saw many changes in the admissions process due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the nationwide reform of the high school graduation exam.

The primary objective of this year's high school graduation exam is to assess graduation eligibility. Therefore, the structure and difficulty level of this year's graduation exam will differ from previous national high school exams.

In that situation, VNU will conduct admissions from the following sources: 1) Direct admission of candidates who meet the criteria prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training and VNU; (2) Admission based on the results of the VNU exam and (3) Admission based on the candidate's aptitude profile.

- Immediately after the Vietnam National University, Hanoi announced the organization of its own entrance exam, many candidates engaged in lively discussions on various forums. Could the Vice Director provide detailed information about the 2020 university entrance exam at the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, to help candidates prepare with peace of mind?

As I explained above, among the three admission sources to Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), the majority are candidates participating in VNU's own entrance exam. The lively discussions among candidates on forums demonstrate VNU's appeal to the public, society, and the candidates' families.

The separate exam is held in 01 day and consists of 4 components: Morning exam (1) Mathematics (90 minutes), (2) Essay writing (60 minutes); Afternoon exam (3) Foreign language (60 minutes) and (4) Natural Sciences or Social Sciences (60 minutes).

The Natural Sciences and Social Sciences exams are held at the same time. For the Natural Sciences exam, candidates will register to choose one of two components: Physics-Chemistry or Chemistry-Biology. Each exam or component corresponds to one score.

Universities use a minimum of two exam components to create admission combinations, which must include either a Math or Essay test.

For the Foreign Language exam, candidates can register to take one of seven languages: English, French, Russian, German, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, depending on the admission criteria of the corresponding training program.

- Mr. Vice Director, a new feature of this year's separate entrance exam to Vietnam National University, Hanoi is the essay section. Recently, many candidates have been wondering what the essay is and whether it is a mandatory part of the exam.

I understand that many candidates are very interested in the essay exam. Therefore, Vietnam National University, Hanoi will announce the exam format for each component of the exam and sample exam questions before May 10, 2020, so that candidates can prepare with peace of mind.

Returning to the original question, the essay is an open-ended prompt allowing candidates to demonstrate their ability to write an essay on a literary, economic, natural, or social topic from the perspective of a high school graduate.

Candidates are free to be creative in their essays, based on the knowledge and skills they have accumulated.

Through this essay, we assess the essay writer's logical thinking, ability to perceive the objective world, and emotions. I believe that candidates will have many surprises and find this test interesting.

Based on the aforementioned exams, training units will develop detailed admission plans for each training program. Candidates will only participate in the exams according to the subject combination for admission to each training program they are applying for.

- Could you please tell us the location and time of this exam at Vietnam National University, Hanoi?

Vietnam National University, Hanoi will hold its 2020 university entrance exam in Hanoi, which will take place over one day.

Universities collaborating with Vietnam National University, Hanoi may organize exams at several locations in various provinces and cities. Therefore, candidates will be notified of the exam time, exam room, exam location, and a map showing directions through their exam registration account.

According to the schedule, the VNU entrance exam is expected to be held around the end of July (after July 26th) and before the high school graduation exam.

- How does Vietnam National University, Hanoi plan to screen out fraudulent applicants, sir?

Firstly, the VNU entrance exam is designed for differentiation. VNU advises candidates wishing to be considered for admission to its affiliated schools/faculties or partner universities to register for the exam.

Secondly, in any case, the number of fictitious applicants is unavoidable in the admissions process. If universities cooperate with each other in their admissions activities, it will somewhat reduce the rate of fictitious applicants and save social costs.

Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) wishes to cooperate with other universities in the areas of exam question preparation, registration, grading, and filtering out fraudulent applications. Other universities will be responsible for organizing the exams according to the cooperation regulations.

- Sir, are candidates interested in the format of the 2020 university entrance exam at Vietnam National University, Hanoi?

Regarding the test-taking technique, in the multiple-choice exams of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, candidates mark their answers on the answer sheet as they are familiar with from other exams.

In terms of content, the exam focuses on fundamental knowledge from the high school curriculum. Candidates should refer to the sample exam (which VNU will publish soon) and the guidance on how to answer the questions effectively.

- Could you please tell us what methods candidates will use to register for the entrance exam and apply for admission to Vietnam National University, Hanoi?

For candidates applying to VNU through its own entrance exam, online registration will begin on June 1, 2020.

The exam registration portal will assist candidates in registering an unlimited number of admission preferences, including the names and codes of training programs, and the codes of admission combinations, all available on the portal for candidates to choose their exam subjects.

For other admission methods, candidates should refer to the detailed application procedure instructions on the VNU Admissions Portal.

We sincerely thank the Vice Director of VNU Hanoi, Nguyen Hoang Hai, for this interview.