Foreign Trade University (FTU) Admissions 2025: Major Changes in Early Admission Method with SAT + IELTS

1. Significant Changes in FTU’s Early Admission Method for 2025

Unlike many other universities that use SAT only as a supplementary criterion, FTU continues to apply a combination of international competency assessments and international language certificates to enhance admission quality. Specifically:

International Competency Certificates (Minimum Requirements):

• SAT: Increased from 1260 (2024) to 1380/1600 (2025).
• ACT: Increased from 27 to 30 points.
• A-Level: Mathematics must be at grade A or higher.

International Language Certificates (Minimum Requirements):

• IELTS: Remains at 6.5.
• TOEFL iBT: 79 or higher (TOEFL iBT Home Edition not accepted).
• Cambridge English Qualifications: 180 points or higher.

(For high-quality programs in Chinese, Japanese, and French Business)

• HSK 4: 280/300 points or higher.
• JLPT N3: 130/180 points or higher.
• DELF B2: Or higher.

Note:

• Certificates must be issued within three years from the test date to the application submission date.
• This method falls under the category of admissions using domestic and international competency certificates as per FTU’s 2025 admission announcement.
• Candidates with high SAT + IELTS scores will have a significant advantage in early admissions, as they can leverage the SAT Reading & Writing section to improve their IELTS Reading, and vice versa.

2. Differences Between FTU’s SAT-Based Admission and Other Universities

Not all universities require both SAT and IELTS for early admission.

• National Economics University (NEU): Only considers SAT, converted on a 30/1600 scale.
• Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST): SAT is used for talent-based admission, while IELTS serves as a bonus point.
• FTU 2025: Combines SAT and IELTS in a 20:10 ratio on a 30-point scale, providing a more comprehensive assessment.

3. Programs Applying the SAT/ACT/A-Level + IELTS Admission Method and 2024 Benchmark Scores

According to FTU’s 2024 undergraduate admission announcement, this combined admission method applies to the following programs:

In 2024, the SAT admission benchmark for Foreign Trade University reached exceptionally high levels. For programs with a nearly maximum cutoff score of 29.5, candidates needed an SAT score of 1490+, even with an IELTS 8.0 – 9.0.

Even for programs with lower cutoff scores, the minimum required SAT score remained high—1420+ for candidates with an IELTS 7.0, equivalent to 27.5/30 based on FTU’s conversion scale.

Because of this, FTU has decided to raise the minimum SAT requirement to 1380+ for 2025. At the same time, the university may adjust its score conversion system. These changes aim to:

• Enhance the quality of admitted candidates more effectively.
• Create a clearer distinction in cutoff scores between different programs.

4. FTU Early Admission Scoring Method (SAT + IELTS)

Admission Score Calculation Formula (2024):

Admission Score = M1 + M2 + M3 + Priority Score (if applicable)

• M1: Converted score from SAT/ACT certificate or A-level Math.
• M2: Converted score from any A-level subject other than Math (only applicable for A-level).
• M3: Converted score from an international language certificate or national award in a foreign language subject.

Example:

Candidate’s scores:

• M1: 1380 SAT = 18 points
• M2: (Not applicable as the candidate chose SAT instead of A-level) = 0 points
• M3: 8.0 IELTS = 10 points
• No additional awards/priority points

Final Admission Score = M1 + M3 = 18 + 8.5 = 28 points

5. FTU 2025 Early Admission Strategy: Optimizing SAT + IELTS Scores

With this year’s major change, particularly the minimum SAT requirement of 1380, Mít Mèo predicts that FTU may adjust its conversion system for both international competency and language certificates.

Thus, at least two scenarios are possible:

1. FTU maintains the current admission system but removes conversions below 1380, setting 18/30 as the minimum score.
2. FTU retains the minimum SAT conversion score at 17/30 but adjusts the scoring range, potentially raising the highest conversion score from 1530 SAT = 20/30 to 1550 or higher.

Changes in IELTS or other language certificate conversion systems seem less likely, as they are used across multiple admission methods, such as transcript-based admission.

However, regardless of the scenario, candidates should not worry too much. Conversion adjustments simply align the 2025 scale with the applicant pool’s competitiveness. Cutoff scores always depend on the overall performance of applicants in the same admission cycle—higher competition leads to higher cutoffs, and vice versa. This is similar to the changes seen in the 2024 early admission process at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

To increase the chances of FTU 2025 early admission, candidates should thoroughly prepare for both SAT and IELTS.

SAT Preparation:

• Target Scores:
  • Minimum: 1380+ (if IELTS is 8.0+)
  • Ideal: 1450+ (for higher conversion)
• Test Timeline:
  • Earliest: March 2025
  • Latest: May 2025 (pending scores may still be accepted)
  • Avoid: June 2025, even if FTU delays its admission schedule, as it overlaps with national high school exams.
• Study Strategy:
  • Use official College Board SAT practice tests (Bluebook) to familiarize yourself with the digital format.
  • Practice with real SAT exams from MADS to train under time pressure and prepare for potential difficulty adjustments by College Board.

IELTS Preparation:

• Target Scores:
  • Minimum: 7.0+ (general benchmark)
  • Optimal: 7.5+ (for stronger competitiveness)
• Study Plan:
  • Prepare for IELTS and SAT simultaneously, or focus on one if the other has already met the target score.
  • Utilize SAT Reading & Writing skills to improve IELTS Reading. Do not apply IELTS test-taking strategies to SAT.

Important Information:

📌 FTU Admissions Website: tuyensinh.ftu.edu.vn (for the latest official admission details)

📌 For SAT preparation and personalized study plans, contact MADS – Digital SAT!

🎯 MADS – Digital SAT
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