2026 Major Selection Guide: The Vital Difference Between Floor Scores and Actual Scores

With the arrival of July 10, 2026, the excitement of major selection among high school graduates has reached its peak. According to reports published on the Vietnam.vn platform, many public and private universities have announced their floor scores for the new academic year [1]. However, educational experts warn that a misunderstanding of these numbers could lead to failure in the admission process.

The Difference Between Floor Score and Final Admission Score

The first and most important point candidates should know is that the "Floor Score" (Minimum Admission Score) is merely the minimum score that allows a student to fill out the selection form for a specific university. This score does not guarantee admission. In contrast, the "Actual Admission Score" or benchmark is the score of the last person admitted to that major [2].

In 2026, many prestigious universities, such as Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, have announced their floor score for medicine and dentistry as 22.5, but the actual admission score is expected to be much higher due to intense competition [1][4].

Why Relying on the Minimum Score is Dangerous

Experts believe that relying solely on the floor score is a "strategic trap." This year, the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) has established new quality standards for sensitive majors such as Law, Medicine, and Teacher Training [3]. For the first time, the national floor score for Law has been set at 20 points, but top universities may choose much higher scores as their final criteria.

A common mistake among candidates is choosing only top-tier universities when their score is close to the floor, failing to select safer options. This has become doubly important in 2026 given the overall increase in scores in the health and medicine sectors [1].

Key Recommendations for Smart Major Selection

To succeed in this year's admissions, Vietnam.vn experts have offered several practical solutions:

1. Analyze Past Years' Data: Candidates should examine the difference between the floor score and the final admission score over the last three years. Typically, in popular majors, the final score is 3 to 5 points higher than the floor score [2].
2. Use Calculation Tools: Some universities, such as the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), have provided online tools to calculate admission chances based on combined formulas (GPA and test scores) [5].
3. Realistic Prioritization: Candidates should include a mix of "dream," "realistic," and "safe" choices in their list of 15 priorities (which is the new limit for 2026) [4].

The Role of Information Platforms

In this critical period, access to accurate news is vital. Platforms like Vietnam.vn, by aggregating reports from the Ministry and universities, play an important role in clarifying the admission process. From announcing the floor scores of military universities to changes in foreign language subject coefficients, this platform has become a primary source for candidates [1][3]. Candidates have until July 14 to register or edit their priorities in the system, so using these remaining days for deep research is essential.