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Advanced Placement Exams or Language Certificates? – Maximizing Your University Admission Points
February might seem far away, but the deadline for university applications is approaching. Depending on the program you're applying for, you'll need to meet different requirements and your points will be calculated differently.
Let’s explore the most common questions regarding admission and point calculation to ensure your success!
How Do I Know the Cutoff Score for My Desired Program?
Unfortunately, you won’t know the exact cutoff score for each program in advance, as it is determined each year by the applicants. For example, if a program has 130 state-funded spots, the score of the 130th applicant will set the cutoff for that year.
Exceptions occur if the 130th applicant doesn’t meet the legal or institutional minimum score requirements. For bachelor's and master's programs, the legal minimum is 280 points, and for higher vocational training programs, it is 240 points. However, some programs set higher minimums to ensure quality.
You can estimate an approximate value by checking past years' statistics on felvi.hu, looking at both state-funded and self-funded programs. Aim to exceed the highest cutoff score from the past 5 years to maximize your chances.
How Are University Points Calculated?
During the application process, you can earn a maximum of 500 points: 200 points from academic performance, 200 from exam scores, and 100 from additional points. Detailed information on the first two calculations can be found in official sources, and we’ll discuss additional points below.
How Can I Earn Additional Points for High-Requirement Programs?
Most people earn extra points with a second advanced-level exam and language certificates. National academic competitions (OKTV, student Olympiads), outstanding sports achievements, and disadvantaged situations (disabilities, multiple disadvantages) also count.
Since 2020, at least one advanced-level exam is required for anyone wishing to start a bachelor's or integrated master's program. This guarantees 50 extra points if the exam score is at least 45%. While this alone won’t give you an advantage, you can still earn an additional 50 points.
Should I Take an Advanced-Level Language Exam or a Language Certificate?
An advanced-level exam gives more extra points than a language certificate, so it might seem logical to choose this option. However, consider both options as it’s not always straightforward.
Practical Example:
Ádám is applying for a psychology program. His strengths are English and Biology. He plans to take an advanced-level exam in Biology but is unsure whether to use a language exam or a language certificate for English. The program requires one advanced-level exam, so it’s optional for him to take another.
If Ádám is likely to score at least 90% on a mid-level exam and gets an intermediate language certificate (28 extra points), he can earn at least 118 points with English. To earn 118 points at the advanced level, he would need to score 68%, as he would get 50 extra points. If he is less likely to achieve this, the mid-level exam and language certificate are a better choice. If the reverse is true, the advanced-level exam is preferable.
Another option is combining a mid-level exam with an advanced language certificate. From 60% onwards, the language certificate is considered successful, earning 40 points regardless of the exact score. So, a 90% mid-level exam plus 40 points from the language certificate could yield 130 points out of 500.
It's Complicated, But Doable!
University admissions can be complex, but don’t worry. If you thoroughly research the requirements of your chosen program and consider all options, you’ll be fine. The Y Generation team is cheering for you! 😉
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