What is an aptitude test and a thinking test?

Currently, aptitude tests and thinking tests are two types of tests that are becoming increasingly popular in the admission process to universities in Vietnam. Although there are certain differences, both types of tests aim to objectively assess candidates' abilities, thereby helping universities select suitable candidates.

What is a competency assessment test?

This is an aptitude test for high school students, organized by the Hanoi National University Examination Center, an independent test, not linked to the university admission process. The results of this test are used as a basis for candidates to register for admission to majors and universities according to each school's separate admission plan.

The competency assessment test is based on the general education program, focusing on three main competency groups, which are:

1. Problem solving and creativity.
2. Vietnamese language skills, logical thinking, reasoning, calculation and data processing.
3. Learn, explore and apply natural and social sciences.

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What is the purpose of assessment and thinking tests?

1. Support for university admissions: The exam provides results that universities use in their admissions process. It is a tool to help select candidates suitable for each training program, supplementing or replacing traditional admission methods.
2. Comprehensive assessment of student abilities: The test focuses on testing logical thinking, creativity, information processing and problem solving. This allows for an accurate assessment of true learning ability, rather than just testing memorization ability.
3. Personal development orientation: The exam results help candidates recognize their strengths and weaknesses in thinking skill groups. From there, they can adjust their learning methods or career orientation to suit themselves.
4. Improving the quality of education: By testing interdisciplinary knowledge, critical thinking and practical application, the exam encourages students to learn creatively and proactively instead of just memorizing theory.

How will the 2024 aptitude and thinking assessment test be organized?

This year, the Center plans to organize 6 exams with about 75,000 candidates participating in Hanoi and provinces such as Hai Phong, Nam Dinh, Hung Yen, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Thai Binh and Hai Duong.

According to the 2024 exam organization project, the fee for each exam is 500,000 VND/candidate. Candidates can choose the appropriate location, date and exam session, with a maximum of two exams, at least 28 days apart. To ensure security, the registration system only allows accounts to be active on one computer device at the same time.

The test consists of 3 main parts:

1. Quantitative Thinking: 50 questions, 75 minutes.
2. Qualitative thinking: 50 questions, 60 minutes.
3. Science: 50 questions, 60 minutes.

The scoring process is done automatically by software. The test results will be displayed on the computer screen immediately after the candidate completes the test or when the prescribed test time expires.

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Hanoi National University of Education's Aptitude Test

Hanoi National University of Education will organize the competency assessment exam in 2024, scheduled for May 11. Exam fee: 200,000 VND/subject. Candidates need to research and consider choosing 2-5 competency assessment exams to register for.

Each exam session, candidates are only allowed to register for one exam. Candidates will choose an exam location from one of three locations: Hanoi National University of Education, Quy Nhon University, or Danang University of Education.

The exam consists of two parts: Multiple Choice and Essay. In which, Literature has 30% multiple choice questions and 70% essay questions. English has a ratio of 80-20% multiple choice and essay questions. The remaining subjects have a ratio of 70-30%.

Candidates will take the test on separate test papers according to the regulations of Hanoi National University of Education. Currently, there are 9 universities using the results of this exam for admission, including:

1. Hanoi National University of Education
2. Hanoi National University of Education 2
3. Ho Chi Minh City University of Education
4. Hue University of Education
5. University of Education - University of Danang
6. Thai Nguyen University of Education
7. Vinh University
8. Quy Nhon University
9. Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

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Thinking assessment test of Hanoi University of Science and Technology

This year's thinking assessment exam is planned to be organized by Hanoi University of Science and Technology with 6 rounds of multiple choice tests on computers. However, each candidate is only allowed to participate in a maximum of 5 exams.

Candidates will receive a certificate of exam results valid for 2 years to apply for admission to universities nationwide.

In particular, 11th graders can take the Hanoi University of Science and Technology's thinking assessment test this year. From March 2024 until the end of the admission period, Hanoi University of Science and Technology will organize 4 thinking tests for candidates.

The locations for the 2024 Hanoi University of Science and Technology Thinking Assessment Exam include Hanoi, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Hai Phong, Nam Dinh, Hung Yen, Thai Nguyen and Da Nang. The exam fee is 450,000 VND per exam.

Private exam of Hanoi University of Science and Technology

The separate exam of Hanoi University of Science and Technology is expected to organize separate subject combinations for each major. Candidates will take the exam in the subject combination corresponding to the registered major.

Exam conditions require candidates to have an average score of 6.5 or higher in grades 11 and 12 in Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and IT.

Dual degree programs require students to have an IELTS English certificate of 6.0 or TOEFL iBT of 60 or higher. In particular, for Pharmacy, the average score must be from 7.0 to 8.8 and have an IELTS of 5.0 or TOEFL iBT of 35 or higher.

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Ho Chi Minh City National University's Aptitude Test

The Ho Chi Minh City National University's aptitude test is scheduled to be held in two rounds before the high school graduation exam, with many testing locations expanded to facilitate candidates.

On April 7, 2024, the first round of the exam will take place in 24 provinces and cities including: Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Dong Thap, Vinh Long, An Giang, Can Tho, Kien Giang, Bac Lieu.

In the second phase, on June 2, 2024, the exam will be held in 12 provinces and cities including: Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Tien Giang, An Giang. The exam includes 120 objective multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 150 minutes.

The test will focus on assessing reasoning and problem-solving skills, not on memorization. The test is designed in a similar style to the American SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) and the British TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment).

The structure of the competency assessment test consists of three parts:

1. Use of language;
2. Mathematics, logical thinking and data analysis;
3. Solve the problem.

The number of schools using the results of this exam for admission and the quota for this exam has increased every year. This is the largest exam, with more than 133,000 candidates taking part last year.

In 2023, in addition to 10 member universities of Ho Chi Minh City National University (each university allocates at least 40% of its enrollment quota to this admission method), there will be 87 other universities and colleges participating in using the results of this exam. In 2024, the number of schools registering to use the exam results is expected to continue to increase to expand admission opportunities for candidates. The exam fee is 300,000 VND/exam.

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Competency assessment exam of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education

In 2024, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education plans to organize 3 rounds of competency assessment exams, one more round than last year. Candidates will register for the exam and pay the fee online. The exam will be held on computers at testing locations specified by the school.

The content of the specialized competency assessment exam includes the subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Literature and English. The exam participants are students in grades 11 and 12 and individuals who want to learn about the exam.

The results of the specialized competency assessment test will be used for admission according to the school's admission plan, combined with high school academic results. This test score will be doubled when considering admission to the corresponding major. The results of the specialized competency assessment test are valid for 2 years. Therefore, grade 11 students can register to take the test and use the results for admission in the following year.

Aptitude test of Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City

It is expected that Ho Chi Minh City Banking University will organize 4 capacity assessment exams from March to May. This is the second year that Ho Chi Minh City Banking University has organized its own capacity assessment exam.

The exam fee is 115,000 VND/subject/candidate. The exam includes 6 independent subjects: Math, Physics, Chemistry, English, History and Geography. The Math test lasts 90 minutes, the remaining subjects are 60 minutes, all will be in the form of multiple choice.

Vietnam-Germany University Aptitude Test

The TestAs (Test for Academic Studies) is a separate exam of the Vietnamese-German University, scheduled to be held in May this year. The exam consists of two written tests: a core test and a subject-specific test.

Candidates will register for the exam corresponding to their field of study, including the fields of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Economics.

The combined results of a valid TestAS exam or certificate will be calculated in the following proportions: 40% from the basic exam and 60% from the specialized exam. The TestAS exam is available in more than 50 countries, with more than 300 universities using this exam result. The exam fee is 50 Euro (about 1.2 million VND) for a specialized exam.

Lesley Montoya

Update 09 December 2024