Universities accept VSTEP for admission, IELTS review begins after suspension
A number of universities are now accepting the VSTEP (Vietnamese Standardized Test of English Proficiency) certificate as proof of language efficiency for admission and graduation.
High school students complete their registration for the university entrance exams. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - A number of universities are nowaccepting the VSTEP (Vietnamese Standardized Test of English Proficiency)certificate as proof of language efficiency for admission and graduation.
The news comes as various foreign language examinations, includingthe IELTS tests, were halted for inspection starting November 10.
Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City recently ordered itsnine member schools to recognise the Vietnam-issued certificate.
The institution said that this move offers another option forstudents, where the IELTS tests are temporarily unavailable.
Prior to this, the University of Language and InternationalStudies (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) is the only school thataccepted VSTEP for direct and prioritised admissions.
VSTEP is an English proficiency test designed according tothe six-level foreign language competency framework for Vietnam.
The test was issued by the Ministry of Education and Training(MoET) in 2014. The three-hour-long test measures the four skills of listening,speaking, reading and writing.
As of August this year, the MoET’s Education Quality ManagementAgency announced that across the country, there are 25 universities andacademies allowed to hold exams and issue certificates for VSTEP.
Among these institutions are Hanoi University of Science andTechnology, HCM University of Education, Hue University and People's PoliceAcademy.
The exam fee ranges from 1.5-1.8 million VND (60-72 USD),depending on the location.
IDPdossier submitted
Speaking to Tuoi tre (Youth)online newspaper on November 14, IDP Education Vietnam CEO Nguyen Thanh Sangconfirmed that the organisation submitted its dossier to resume IELTSexaminations, as required by the MoET.
IDP and British Council are the two agencies licensed to organiseIELTS tests in Vietnam
Sang said: “It is hoped that the IELTS exams will resume, so thatVietnamese candidates can continue pursuing their dreams to learn, work orsettle down abroad.”
The British Council in Vietnam is also expected to send its IELTSdossier to the MoET early this week.
The MoET said that it had issued instructions for test organisersto quickly complete their dossiers for review and approval, and to shorten theprocessing time (within 20 days).
After receiving the documents, the MoET’s Education QualityManagement Agency will start the process for approval to resume the languageexaminations./.
With more than 1 billion users globally, English is one of the three most popular languages in the world. Therefore, excellent English is the key for the young generation to open the door of knowledge and global integration. To this end, youngsters need to obtain international English certificates such as Cambridge ESOL, IELTS.
The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) on November 10 ordered provincial/municipal Departments of Education and Training to strictly monitor and manage the organisation of foreign language proficiency tests.
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High school students complete their registration for the university entrance exams. (Photo: VNA) 
