Female student who was "afraid" of words wrote 9 pages and became valedictorian of 10th grade literature exam

(Dan Tri) - The female student who scored 9.5 points and was the valedictorian of the 10th grade literature entrance exam in Ho Chi Minh City used to be bored with literature because she found it too wordy.

Thanks to the right study strategies and methods, along with perseverance and continuous effort, Le Pham Quynh Anh (9A3 class, Nguyen Chi Thanh Secondary School, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City) became one of the two candidates with the highest scores in Literature in the Ho Chi Minh City 10th grade entrance exam.

Le Pham Quynh Anh shared that she and her family were extremely happy to receive impressive scores: 9.5 in Literature, 10 in English, and 8.5 in Mathematics, for a total admission score of 25.3 points.

In particular, the female student has just been admitted to Nguyen Huu Cau High School, the school she aspired to attend.

From a boring subject to a new passion.

Although she had anticipated a high score in the literature exam, Quynh Anh still didn't think she would be one of the two people to achieve a 9.5 and become the top scorer in literature in the recent 10th grade entrance exam in Ho Chi Minh City.

Le Pham Quynh Anh, class 9A3, Nguyen Chi Thanh Secondary School, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: Provided by the subject).

Looking at her current grades, few would know that she was once a girl who disliked studying literature, despite achieving many impressive accomplishments in elementary school through handwriting competitions, poetry writing, winning numerous school-level and city-level A prizes, and having her articles published twice in the Children's Newspaper.

"Initially, I didn't really like this subject because there were too many words," Quynh Anh shared.

It wasn't until the end of sixth grade that the girl began to develop an interest in literature because she realized the subject offered many valuable insights.

“I gradually understood that literature isn't just about reading works or taking lots of notes; it's also an opportunity to access diverse perspectives on life. Thanks to that, I can improve my knowledge, vocabulary, and attitude towards life. By the beginning of 7th grade, I was truly passionate about this subject and determined to invest in it,” the student confided.

With that passion, Quynh Anh went on to win second prize in the "Good Writing and Calligraphy" competition at the school level, first prize at the district level in the "Initiatives to ensure school order in preventing school violence and illegal child labor" competition (2nd edition, 2025), and third prize at the district level in the "Traffic Safety for Tomorrow's Smile" competition.

Speaking about her achievements, Quynh Anh affirmed that her literature skills and writing abilities helped her conquer many competitions.

Quynh Anh has excellent academic achievements in all subjects (Photo: Provided by the subject).

Regarding this year's literature exam, the girl who scored 9.5 points assessed it as not too difficult, with relatable and accessible topics. She was particularly impressed with the social commentary essay question.

Quynh Anh said: "At first glance, many students might misunderstand this prompt and easily go off-topic. But if you read carefully, take the time to analyze the prompt, and write an outline on scratch paper, there will be many ideas to explore."

She shared that she had practiced allocating her time effectively for each section of the exam right from the preparation stage. Thanks to that preparation, the exam went quite smoothly, fitting perfectly within the 120-minute time limit for 9 pages. She chose to answer the questions in the order they appeared on the exam, solving each question sequentially within the allotted time.

The sweet fruits of determination and perseverance.

Quynh Anh felt very pleased with the result and also proud of herself. She believes that her continuous efforts helped her complete the exam well, exceeding her expectations.

To achieve her current results, Quynh Anh developed a study plan early on and chose a study method that suited her. For Literature specifically, she started attending extra classes in the summer of 8th grade; however, the time she truly focused on studying was about four months before the exam.

Not only is she excellent in literature, but she also achieved high scores in the other two subjects. The female student allocated her study time wisely for all three subjects. During the week, she dedicated three days to studying literature, three hours each day.

The remaining time is allocated to math and English, with English being my strong point, so I can save more time on that. At the end of the week, I choose one subject to take a practice test, alternating subjects in the following weeks.

Quynh Anh chose to self-study using mind maps, combined with reading additional books, reference materials, and articles in newspapers. She also learned from and remembered exam experiences from senior students. In addition, for literary essay questions, Quynh Anh proactively sought feedback from her teachers, thereby gaining more experience.

Besides focusing on her studies, Quynh Anh spends a lot of time participating in social activities and self-improvement (Photo: Provided by the subject).

Besides focusing on preparing for the 10th grade entrance exam, Quynh Anh also prioritizes exercise and rest.

"I allocate more time to participate in activities and movements such as sports, youth group activities, arts and culture… and also to my hobbies like watching movies, listening to music, playing volleyball to keep my mind as relaxed as possible," Quynh Anh said.

Ms. Phung Thi Huong Lan, a literature teacher at Nguyen Chi Thanh Secondary School, shared: “Quynh Anh is a diligent student, very proactive in her studies. She often came to me to ask questions and seek feedback. Therefore, I believed she would do well on the exam, but when I learned she scored 9.5 in literature, I was overwhelmed with happiness. That is a result that is completely deserved for her efforts.”

Furthermore, literature is also a source of motivation and inspiration in Quynh Anh's life. "Literature brings me a breath of fresh air; from it, I find my ideals in life, learn to love others, and aspire to live a more meaningful life," Quynh Anh confided.

In addition to her impressive academic achievements, Le Pham Quynh Anh also participates in many extracurricular activities, clubs, and youth movements. She was formerly the head of the student council at Nguyen Chi Thanh Secondary School.

In addition, I am a member of the drum and brass band club, and I am also on the school's volleyball team - the team that won third place last school year.

Snowfall

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/nu-sinh-tung-ngan-chu-viet-9-trang-thanh-thu-khoa-mon-van-thi-lop-10-20250629181839097.htm