Experts reveal strategies to get high scores on the "Ability Assessment" test

Things students need to keep in mind when taking the Aptitude Test

In 2024, Hanoi National University plans to organize 6 rounds of Competency Assessment. The first round will be on March 23, the last round will be on June 2, taking place at 17 educational institutions in 11 provinces and cities, the farthest being Ha Tinh. Registration rounds will take place from February 18 to March 6. Thus, candidates have just over 2 months to prepare and review before entering the first round of this exam.

To help candidates better understand the 2024 Competency Assessment Exam of Hanoi National University, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Thao, Director of Hanoi National University Examination Center said: "Regarding the changes compared to last year, this year, we keep the same registration form and exam organization method, the only difference is increasing the scale and increasing the number of candidates participating in the exam sessions. In addition, we adjust the exam time so that candidates have the best study time before deciding to register for the exam and choose a university based on their exam results."

Regarding the structure of the Competency Assessment test, according to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Thao, the structure of the test remains stable as in previous years, consisting of 3 parts with objective multiple choice questions (choosing answers) and fill-in-the-blank questions in the fields of Mathematics (50 questions, 75 minutes), Literature - Language (50 questions, 60 minutes), Natural and Social Sciences (50 questions, 60 minutes).

Part 1 and Part 3 will have 1-3 additional test questions that are not scored. In terms of test taking methods, the Competency Assessment test has requirements that are completely different from those of regular knowledge tests in terms of question arrangement and question asking. There are things that seem simple but candidates can easily make mistakes, leading to low scores, despite trying to review and practice a lot.

To do the test effectively, you need to note:

First, this is a computer-based exam. Unlike the paper-based exam, in the computer-based exam, questions will appear randomly, not in order from easy to difficult, and the questions will appear one after another, at the same time. Therefore, candidates should balance their time, need to calculate how long it takes to complete a question in a 195-minute exam. Normally, candidates will mentally calculate about 77 seconds for a question. But in the exam, there will be easy questions and difficult questions. Therefore, with easy questions, you should try to finish in 20 to 40 seconds, not wait until 70 seconds to finish. With more difficult questions, the time can be extended to 2 minutes, even nearly 3 minutes. Easy questions need to be finished quickly to have time to go back and check the answers to difficult questions if there is any doubt. For the Scientific Thinking and Math sections, the answers and data require high accuracy. For the Qualitative Thinking section, the Literature and Language section will have abstract questions. Candidates should organize their work and choose the most suitable answers if they are not sure. In addition, in the test there will be suggestive sections, opposite answers. If there is not a completely correct answer as you believe, the remaining answers will suggest logical thinking to deduce and decide which answer is the most suitable. This is also a relatively high probability to evaluate the candidate's thinking and analytical ability.

Should I take test preparation classes?

Regarding the issue of whether or not to take a training class for the Competency Assessment test, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Thao said that in 2023, we surveyed more than 2,000 candidates taking the Competency Assessment test. 63% of candidates responded that they took the test with the mindset of self-studying or only reviewing in class. A small number of candidates attended training classes, but their scores were not high.

Reviewing is necessary. In any exam, students must determine to behave seriously by participating in their learning activities, such as studying in class. When candidates study seriously and fully in class, they will have enough knowledge and skills to take the exam. Therefore, whether or not it is necessary to attend a review class depends on the candidate's right. But our advice is that if you do not study seriously, do not research carefully or do not prepare well, whether you attend a review class or not, the results will not change. In a message to candidates before entering the first round of the 2024 Competency Assessment Exam, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Thao emphasized: "No matter which exam you take or which university you apply to, the first and very important thing is to grasp the official information. For universities, please carefully study the official enrollment plan of the schools. Prepare well, keep yourself comfortable, calm, and confident when entering the exam to achieve the best results."

In 2023, nearly 70 universities have registered to use the results of the Hanoi National University's Competency Assessment Test. In 2024, the number of universities using the Hanoi National University's Competency Assessment Test results for admission may reach nearly 100 universities in the Northern region. In addition, a few universities in the Southern region will also continue to register to use the exam results in the coming time.