The National Universities of Vietnam are gearing up for the upcoming 2025 Ability Assessment Exam, with registration periods set to begin on February 23, 2025. Both the National University of Hanoi and the National University of Ho Chi Minh City have implemented new measures to ease the registration process and avoid the issues of congestion experienced in previous years.
GS.TS Nguyễn Tiến Thảo from the National University of Hanoi emphasized the importance of this year’s registration process, noting, "To reduce local congestion like last year, the school has made adjustments to the IT infrastructure and upgraded the transmission system." He added, "We try to make the system meet these figures, even larger," thereby assuring students and faculty alike of the enhancements made to handle increased traffic on the registration portal.
The registration will run from February 23 to March 2, 2025, during which candidates are encouraged to finalize their registration details before the opening date, preferably before February 22. This recommendation aims to minimize technical difficulties and enable students to submit their application fee more efficiently.
Students are advised to log on to select their exam slots from just one device, as logging on to multiple devices could lead to their accounts being logged out. They are required to submit fees between one hour and 96 hours after successfully selecting their exam slot. If the fee is not paid within this timeframe, the selected exam will be automatically canceled, with no recourse to restore it afterwards.
Last year saw over 230,000 attempts to register, with instances of excessive simultaneous logins causing the system to experience severe congestion. The officials experienced significant challenges, stating, "The number of registrants last year was over 30,000 students which led to system congestion," as they struggled to accommodate the load.
Across the country, the National University of Ho Chi Minh City reported having over 130,489 students registered for the assessment as of February 23. This has raised the expectation for even greater numbers as they have extended the registration completion deadline to February 28, 2025. The first session of the exam is set to take place on March 30, across 25 provinces and cities, including major urban centers like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
Feeding off the stress of such standardized tests, GS.TS Nguyễn Tiến Thảo emphasized the need for students to take care of their mental health: “Students should only access their accounts on one device and prepare for the registration process prior to the opening date. Doing so will ease your stress and increase your chances of securing your desired exam slot.”
The assessment is significant as it evaluates knowledge accumulated over three years of high school, encompassing not just individual subjects but also interdisciplinary elements combining various disciplines. The registration fee for 2025 is increased to 600,000 VND per student, reflecting the growing costs involved with administering the exam.
Students can select their second exam slot starting from March 3, 2025, should spots still be available. Re-registrations post-cancellation come with their own set of rules, allowing students to sign up after 60 minutes following the first cancellation, 4 days for the second, and up to 7 days if they need to cancel again.
With anticipated improvements to the registration infrastructure, both universities are hopeful to streamline the much-dreaded process of signing up for this key assessment. The level of attention to detail being placed on the infrastructural changes highlights institutions' commitment to providing the best experience possible for students as they navigate these challenging times.
Encouraging prospective test-takers, GS.TS Nguyễn Tiến Thảo concluded, "While preparation is key, maintaining your peace of mind is equally important. Stay focused on your studies, and you'll feel more confident on exam day." This poignant reminder resonates with many as the countdown to the exam continues.