Won the top prize with three 10s

In Tien Giang , Huynh Hoang Mai achieved a perfect score of 10 in all three subjects: Math, Literature, and English, making her the only valedictorian to achieve such a perfect score in the 10th grade entrance exam.

"When I found out my score, it took me five minutes to compose myself, then I screamed loudly to tell my parents," a female student from Tru Van Tho Secondary School in Cai Lay town recalled her feelings when she learned her score a few days ago.

Mai said that this result was well-deserved, given her efforts in preparing her knowledge early, starting from the end of 8th grade.

Hoang Mai at Tru Van Tho Secondary School, June 18th. Photo: Provided by the subject.

To organize her studies effectively, during the school year, Mai divided her time to review Math, Literature, and English in the evenings, no later than 1 AM. In the final days, after finishing her regular school classes, she studied English in the mornings, Math in the afternoons, and Literature in the evenings.

According to Mai, the two important factors to focus on when preparing for exams are fundamental knowledge and skills.

"To get high scores, you must first master the basic knowledge, then gradually move on to the more difficult parts. Learning can't be done quickly; it has to be absorbed gradually," Mai said. Therefore, during class, the female student always focuses on listening to the lecture, taking complete notes, and not talking or doing other things.

Specifically, in Mathematics, the female student reviews to understand basic properties and concepts, and practices various types of exercises thoroughly. Mai learned this from a teacher who inspired her passion for mathematics since she was only 6 years old. Mai recognizes that she is strong in Algebra but often struggles with Geometry, so she dedicates more time to this section.

"When practicing with sample tests, I choose difficult ones to get used to the feeling, so that when I take the actual exam, I won't be overwhelmed by unfamiliar question types," Mai said, assessing that the actual exam was less difficult than the ones she had practiced with.

In addition, in 9th grade, Mai was selected to prepare for the provincial-level gifted student competition. The female student believes this helped her develop strong critical thinking skills when reading difficult questions in the 10th-grade entrance exam.

Regarding English, Mai said she recognized the importance of the subject early on, so she gradually built up her vocabulary and grammar. Due to limited opportunities to practice the subject, Mai is only good at reading and writing, with limited listening and speaking skills. Besides attending extra English classes, at home, Mai finds and studies practice tests, carefully noting down new vocabulary and knowledge. For review tests, she checks them in detail, then does them again and reads them aloud to remember.

Of the three subjects, Literature is the most difficult. The female student often outlines the main points of each poem and expresses them in her own words. With prose works, she reads them over and over again to fully understand the plot and the details that need emphasis. In addition, Mai also creates content for a fan page. This small job helps her hone her thinking skills and her ability to express herself through words.

Mai and her friend revisited Tru Van Tho Junior High School on June 18th. Photo: Provided by the subject.

Thanks to her approach to learning from the basics, Mai's grades are always among the top in her class. Her homeroom teacher, Mr. Pham Anh Dung, considers Mai to be a well-rounded student.

"Mai's overall math score is 10, while her other subjects are all above 9. She also enthusiastically participates in extracurricular activities at school, helps her friends, and is very respectful to her teachers," Mr. Dung said.

Before the entrance exam for 10th grade, teachers at Tru Van Tho Secondary School assessed that the female student's academic ability was sufficient to apply to a specialized high school in My Tho city. However, Mai said that her parents are farmers and are supporting her older sister and brother studying medicine in Saigon, so they don't have much money to spare. She calculated that if she went to a specialized school, she would have to live in a boarding school about 30 km from home, and the additional living expenses would make things even more difficult for her parents.

"My parents go out early in the morning and don't come home until late at night, their hands and feet covered in mud. If I were to leave home, there would be no one left, so I want to stay with my parents," Mai said. During the summer break, her part-time job for the fan page helps the student earn a small amount of money each month.

"I did it secretly from my parents, but when they found out, they didn't say anything. I want to help them out a little, even if it's just a small amount," Mai shared. Encouraged by her older siblings, the female student soon planned to enroll in Doc Binh Kieu High School near her home and study to prepare for the medical entrance exam later.

"I will try my best to study hard so that I can become a doctor in the future," Mai said.

Doan Hung

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