VSTEP.3-5 explained: one exam for B1, B2 and C1, the score-to-level table, the format and what it costs at ULIS
VSTEP.3-5 is Vietnam's own English test, on the national six-level framework. It is one exam, not three: you sit the same paper and your final score decides whether you get level 3 (B1), level 4 (B2) or level 5 (C1).
Below 4.0 you get no level at all. Everything below is from the site of the University of Languages and International Studies at Vietnam National University, Hanoi (ULIS), which runs its own sittings, read on 5 November 2026. Other universities run the test too and set their own fees and dates.
Score to level
The final score is out of 10. Our reading: since one paper covers three levels, there is no paper to choose. What you need is the score your employer or university names.
- 0–3.5No level
- 4.0–5.5Level 3B1
- 6.0–8.0Level 4B2
- 8.5–10Level 5C1
The four papers
Reading: 60 minutes. Four passages, 1,900 to 2,500 words in all, 40 multiple-choice questions, with levels from B1 up to C1. The time includes transferring your answers.
Listening: about 40 minutes. Three parts, 35 multiple-choice questions.
Writing: 60 minutes. A letter or email of at least 120 words, worth one third, and an essay of at least 250 words, worth two thirds.
Speaking: 12 minutes. Social interaction, choosing between three solutions and defending your choice, then a talk with follow-up questions.
Our reading: budget your writing time to match the marks. The essay is worth twice the letter.
Fee, results and re-marks at ULIS
ULIS's plan for its 14 November 2026 sitting gives a fee of 1,800,000 VND, on computer, in Hanoi. Registration for that date closed on 4 November.
Results come three to five days after the exam, and the certificate 14 working days after it.
A re-mark costs 800,000 VND, and you have only three days from the results to ask. The answer comes with the results of the next sitting.
ULIS will not run a sitting with fewer than 100 candidates; applications then move to the next one. It also stops taking applications once a sitting is full.
We did not find a validity period on ULIS's pages. Ask the institution that will receive your result how recent it must be.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Looking for a separate B2 paper.
Preparing for one test with passages from B1 to C1.
VSTEP.3-5 is a single exam, and the final score sets the level.
Giving the letter and the essay equal time.
Giving most of your 60 minutes to the essay.
The essay is two thirds of the writing score.
Waiting a week to think about a re-mark.
Deciding straight away.
At ULIS the request window is three days from the results.
Questions
What VSTEP score is B2?
6.0 to 8.0 out of 10 is level 4, which is B2.
What VSTEP score is B1?
4.0 to 5.5 out of 10 is level 3, which is B1. Below 4.0 there is no level.
How much does VSTEP cost?
1,800,000 VND at ULIS for the 14 November 2026 sitting. Other universities set their own fees.
How long is VSTEP?
Reading 60 minutes, listening about 40, writing 60 and speaking 12.
Can I get my VSTEP re-marked?
At ULIS, yes, for 800,000 VND, within three days of the results.
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