Competing on computers: An inevitable trend requiring comprehensive preparation.

The 2027 high school graduation exam will be held in June 2027, conducted on computers at qualified locations and on paper at other exam sites.

At a recent conference summarizing the organization of the 2025 exam and preparing for the 2026 high school graduation exam, the Ministry of Education and Training announced several directions and timelines for preparing to conduct the high school graduation exam on computers in 2027.

The 2027 high school graduation exam will be held in June 2027, conducted on computers at qualified locations and on paper at other exam sites.

Many outstanding advantages

In the context of strong digital transformation, Vietnam’s education sector is facing an important turning point following the Prime Minister’s directive: transitioning from paper-based high school graduation and university entrance exams to computer-based testing.

Globally, the two common computer-based testing models today are CBT (Computer-Based Testing) – linear fixed-structure testing and CAT (Computerized Adaptive Testing) – adaptive testing where questions are adjusted according to the student’s ability.

Both are considered inevitable trends for modernizing examination work, improving assessment quality, and international integration.

In Vietnam, some universities have applied CBT in their competency assessment exams, while to fulfill assigned tasks, the Ministry of Education and Training also aims to implement it for the high school graduation exam starting from 2027.

However, to succeed and gradually approach CAT, many challenges regarding question banks, infrastructure, human resources, and result recognition mechanisms need to be addressed.

Compared to traditional methods, computer-based testing has many outstanding advantages. Results are automatically and quickly scored, minimizing subjective errors and shortening announcement time.

This format also saves printing and transportation costs while supporting diverse question types, from multiple-choice to simulated scenarios.

Particularly, CBT is flexible in organization, allowing multiple exam sessions and rounds throughout the year, even remote online testing. Another important advantage is allowing students to take exams multiple times, similar to international exams like IELTS, TOEFL, or SAT.

Having opportunities to improve scores helps students view assessment as a learning activity, reducing pressure and accurately reflecting students’ actual abilities.

Common misunderstandings

A common misunderstanding is that computer-based testing means each student must have their own computer. In reality, major exams worldwide apply the test-center model.

Students go to exam centers equipped with standard computers and can take multiple sessions per day. This approach saves costs while ensuring fairness and avoiding inequality due to economic conditions. This is also a suitable direction for Vietnam, instead of scattered investments causing waste.

CBT and CAT are two models that need clear distinction. CBT is a testing format where the entire exam, answers, and scoring are conducted on computers with a fixed structure. This is currently the most common model, offering many benefits in speed, accuracy, and convenience.

CAT is a higher development stage, where the system adjusts question difficulty based on the student’s previous answers. This makes exams shorter while still accurately assessing individual abilities.

CAT has been applied in international exams like GMAT or GRE, demonstrating the potential for personalization and fairness in assessment.

In Vietnam, computer-based competency assessment exams were first implemented at Hanoi National University in 2014, followed by Hanoi University of Science and Technology and Ho Chi Minh City University of Education also conducting computer-based testing, all following the linear CBT model.

This is an important step to accumulate experience, gradually progressing toward CAT when conditions for question banks and technology permit.

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IELTS

IELTS is not a place or cultural site, but an English language proficiency test. It stands for the International English Language Testing System and was established in 1989 to assess the language ability of people who want to study or work where English is used as a language of communication. It is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English.

TOEFL

“TOEFL” is not a place or cultural site; it is an acronym for the Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is a standardized test created in 1964 by ETS, a non-profit organization based in the United States, to assess the English language proficiency of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in English-speaking universities.

SAT

“SAT” could refer to several different places or cultural sites, but without a specific context, it is most commonly recognized as the Scholastic Assessment Test, a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. If you meant a different “SAT,” such as a location or cultural site, please provide more details for a more accurate summary.

GMAT

“GMAT” is not a place or cultural site; it is an acronym for the Graduate Management Admission Test, a standardized exam used for admissions to graduate business programs worldwide. It was created in 1953 by a group of business schools to provide a common measure for assessing applicants’ qualifications.

GRE

“GRE” most commonly refers to the Graduate Record Examinations, a standardized test for graduate school admissions, and is not a place or cultural site. If you are referring to a location, you may be thinking of “Gré” as part of a name, such as the Grand Réseau Express (a proposed transit network in Montreal) or the ancient Greek city of Gortyn (sometimes abbreviated as Gortys or Gortyna) on Crete, which was a powerful city-state with a famous ancient law code.

Hanoi National University

Hanoi National University is Vietnam’s leading multidisciplinary university, established in 1906 during the French colonial period. It has evolved from the University of Indochina into a major national hub for higher education and research. Today, it comprises multiple member universities and institutes, driving the country’s academic and scientific development.

Hanoi University of Science and Technology

The Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), founded in 1956, is Vietnam’s first and largest technical university. It was established with the support of the Soviet Union to build a core of engineers and scientists for the nation’s post-war reconstruction and industrialization. Today, it remains a leading institution for engineering, technology, and science education in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Education

The Ho Chi Minh City University of Education is a leading teacher training institution in Vietnam, originally established in 1957 as the National Center of Pedagogy of Saigon. It has since evolved into a major multidisciplinary university, playing a vital role in educating generations of teachers and educational professionals for the southern region of the country.