Hanoi University of Science and Technology and FPT elevate the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) with advanced technology

More than 20,000 candidates participated in the second round of the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) organized by Hanoi University of Science and Technology, featuring notable highlights in the application of technology solutions for exam organization and monitoring. The exam once again affirmed the university’s effectiveness in implementing competency-based assessments aligned with international standards, as well as FPT Corporation’s capability to accompany the university and master advanced technologies supporting the entire examination process.

The growing appeal of the international-standard TSA examination

The second round of TSA 2026, organized by Hanoi University of Science and Technology, recorded the participation of 20,651 candidates across 28 test sites from Hanoi to multiple provinces and cities nationwide. This number marks a 15% increase compared to the same period in 2025, demonstrating the growing interest of students and parents in competency-based assessment methods.

Notably, out of the total registered candidates, around 2,000 were 10th- and 11th-grade students, accounting for nearly 12%, reflecting the trend of early preparation for university admission among today’s students.

The second round of the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) 2026 organized by Hanoi University of Science and Technology recorded the participation of 20,651 candidates.

This result not only reflects the expected trend and effectiveness of the thinking-skills-based assessment format, but also demonstrates the outcome of the university’s thorough preparation over the past several years.

The Thinking Skills Assessment is one of the standardized tests developed by Hanoi University of Science and Technology to evaluate candidates’ logical thinking, analytical ability, and problem-solving skills. The exam is conducted on computers and built based on Item Response Theory (IRT), a measurement method widely used in modern testing systems worldwide.

Since its introduction, the exam has recorded more than 130,000 test attempts, including over 50,000 in 2025 alone.

In 2026, the exam will be organized in three rounds nationwide. Round 1 (January 24–25, 2026) recorded nearly 17,000 candidates, including 5 candidates scoring above 90, 59 scoring above 80, and 564 scoring above 70, with an average score of 54.01 out of 100. The results of Round 2 are expected to be announced approximately 10 days after the exam on the MyTSA system. The final round will take place on May 16–17, 2026, with registration open from April 5 to April 15, 2026.

Currently, more than 50 universities and academies nationwide have announced that they will use TSA results for admissions in 2026.

Behind these impressive figures lie significant operational challenges — tens of thousands of candidates must be received, verified, and tested accurately, quickly, and fairly across dozens of test sites nationwide. Technology has been the key solution to these challenges and continues to play a critical role.

First-time deployment of automated check-in kiosks

From the early years of implementing TSA with technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, together with FPT, deployed the FPT.IDCheck identity verification solution combined with the FPT IDReader chip-based ID card reader, enabling candidate authentication in about 10 seconds with near-absolute accuracy. This solution helps ensure fairness and transparency while minimizing the risk of impersonation during the exam.

Building on this success, one of the most notable highlights of the 2026 TSA exam is the automated check-in kiosk model, which was deployed for the first time at the Ta Quang Buu Library test site at Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

Candidates use chip-based citizen ID cards to complete the entire check-in procedure, including identity verification, information lookup, test room mapping, and printing the exam slip. The entire process is fully automated and completed in just a few steps without the need for staff assistance.

The system automatically cross-checks data with the National Population Database and captures facial images for accurate identification. In addition to ensuring speed and accuracy, this approach also provides a more convenient and positive experience for candidates.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Hai, Director of Education Solutions Development Center, FPT Corporation, said: “For an online examination with tens of thousands of candidates across multiple test sites nationwide, the biggest challenge is ensuring stable, transparent, and fair system operation for all candidates.”

Accordingly, the kiosk check-in model not only reduces errors and waiting time during the check-in process, but also improves the candidate experience and enhances management efficiency for the organizing committee.

Candidates complete the check-in procedure at an automated kiosk before entering the test room.

Nguyen Huu Duc, a student from Dai Tu High School (Thai Nguyen), said the check-in process was much faster and more convenient than before.

“This technology makes the exam more transparent, and the computer-based test interface is easy to use, allowing me to fully concentrate on the exam,” Duc shared.

Nguyen Huu Duc from Dai Tu High School (Thai Nguyen) also noted that using the automated kiosk for check-in was quicker and more convenient than previous exams

Online testing system and real-time monitoring

The Thinking Skills Assessment 2026 continues to be conducted on the Khaothi.Online platform developed by FPT. The entire examination process is fully digitized, from registration, payment, question bank development, exam organization and supervision, scoring, to certificate issuance, all operating on a single unified platform.

With this platform, combined with the identity verification system, the organizing committee can monitor candidate attendance, absences, and test progress at all test sites in real time through a centralized reporting system.

After the exam is completed, test data is automatically packaged and stored on servers, helping reduce paperwork and facilitating inspection, auditing, and result verification.

FPT technical team closely supporting at test sites

In 2026, the system was further upgraded with several features to enhance safety and security. The exam code length was increased from 6 digits to 12 digits to reduce the risk of code guessing. The invigilation monitoring interface was also completely redesigned, with additional tools to support online test room supervision and management.

FPT’s technical team worked closely at the test sites, at the Examination Operation Center of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, and at the data center to monitor the system and handle any incidents that might arise.

The successful deployment of Khaothi.Online together with FPT.IDCheck and the automated check-in kiosk not only improves the quality of TSA organization, but also demonstrates FPT’s capability to master its own technologies, opening up strong potential for wider application of “Made by FPT” technology solutions in large-scale testing and assessment across many fields.