2020 VNU University Entrance Exam: Use at least 2 exam components to create admission combinations

- Mr. Vice President, can you give us some information about the 2020 university entrance exam to VNU?

In 2020, there were many changes in enrollment due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the roadmap to improve high school exams nationwide.

The main objective of this year's high school exam is to consider graduation. Therefore, the structure and classification of this year's graduation exam will change compared to the previous national high school exam.

In that situation, VNU will conduct enrollment from the following sources: 1) Direct enrollment of candidates who meet the criteria set by the Ministry of Education and Training and VNU; (2) Admission based on VNU's exam results and (3) Admission based on candidates' capacity records.

- Right after VNU announced its own exam, many candidates discussed enthusiastically on forums. Could the Vice President provide detailed information about the 2020 VNU university entrance exam so that candidates can feel secure in their review?

As I have presented above, among the three sources of admission to VNU, the candidates who take the VNU’s own entrance exam account for a large proportion. The fact that candidates are actively discussing on forums shows the attraction of VNU to public opinion, society and candidates’ families.

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

The Natural Science and Social Science exams are held at the same time. For the Natural Science exam, candidates will register to choose 1 of 2 components: Physics - Chemistry or Chemistry - Biology. Each exam or component corresponds to 1 starting point.

Universities use at least 2 exam components to create admission combinations, of which 1 Math or Essay is required.

For the Foreign Language exam, candidates can register to take 1 of 7 languages: English, French, Russian, German, Chinese, Japanese and Korean depending on the admission combination of the corresponding training program.

- Dear Vice President, the new point of the separate entrance exam to VNU this year is the essay. Recently, many candidates have wondered what the essay is and whether it is a mandatory part for candidates?

I know that many candidates are very interested in the essay test. Accordingly, VNU will announce the exam format of each component of the test and sample exams before May 10, 2020 so that candidates can review with peace of mind.

Returning to the original question, the essay is an open-ended question for 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 the essay, we evaluate the writer’s logical thinking, ability to perceive the objective world and emotions. I believe that candidates will have many surprises and interesting things when taking this test.

Based on the above exams, training units will develop detailed enrollment plans for each training program. Candidates only participate in exams according to the admission combination of each training program they register for.

- Can you tell me the location and time of this exam of VNU?

VNU will organize the 2020 university entrance exam in Hanoi and take place in one day.

Universities in collaboration with VNU may organize exams at some facilities located in provinces and cities. Therefore, candidates will be notified of exam times, exam rooms, exam locations and directions on their exam registration accounts.

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

- How does VNU plan to screen virtual candidates, sir?

Firstly, the exam of VNU is classified, VNU recommends that candidates who wish to be admitted to affiliated schools/faculties or cooperating universities register for the exam.

Second, in any case, virtual candidates are an inevitable part of admissions. If universities cooperate with each other in admissions activities, it will reduce the virtual rate and save social costs.

VNU wishes to cooperate with other universities in exam preparation, exam registration, exam grading and filtering. Other universities are responsible for organizing exams according to the coordination regulations.

- Sir, are candidates interested in how to take the university entrance exam to VNU in 2020?

Regarding test-taking techniques, for VNU's multiple-choice tests, candidates fill in the answers on the Multiple-Choice Answer Sheet as candidates are familiar with in other exams.

Regarding content, the exam focuses on the basic knowledge in the high school program. Candidates can refer to the sample exam (which VNU will announce soon) and instructions on how to do well on the exam.

- Could you please tell us how candidates will register for the exam and be admitted to VNU?

For candidates applying for admission to VNU through a separate exam, they will register online from June 1, 2020.

The exam registration portal will help candidates register unlimited admission wishes, training major names and codes, and admission combination codes available on the registration portal for candidates to decide on exam subjects.

For other forms of admission, candidates can follow detailed application procedure instructions on the VNU Admissions Portal.

We would like to thank VNU Permanent Vice President Nguyen Hoang Hai for this interview.