In late June, news that Nguyen Thien Nhan, a student from class 9A3 at Hung Dien B Junior High and High School (Hung Dien commune), had become the provincial top scorer in the 10th-grade entrance exam delighted many.

Nhan achieved perfect 10s in three subjects during the specialized 10th-grade entrance exam: specialized mathematics, general mathematics, and English, along with a 9,25 in literature. This impressive performance resulted in an admission score of 49,25 out of 50 points.

Previously, Nhan also secured a spot among the top 10 leading candidates in the entrance exam for Pho thong Nang khieu High School, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. In that exam, he scored 9,5 in specialized mathematics and a perfect 10 in general mathematics.

The student is also a star at his school, having been an excellent student for nine consecutive years and winning first prize in the provincial calculator competition last academic year.

Nguyen Thien Nhan receives a certificate of merit from his school. Photo: Family provided

Nhan is the eldest of three siblings; his father is a music teacher, and his mother is a pharmacist. He shared that he previously didn't feel he had a talent for any particular subject. In sixth grade, after a teacher noticed his quick problem-solving skills, he was given a more challenging problem to try. Finding the challenge engaging, Nhan began spending hours thinking and finding different solutions. Consequently, his teachers gradually increased the difficulty, assigning more math problems from gifted schools. Nhan also enrolled in online classes with math teachers in TP HCM.

Before the 10th-grade entrance exam, Nhan dedicated two to four hours daily to solving past papers from Pho thong Nang khieu High School. Despite maintaining a daily study routine, he didn't push himself too hard, stopping to rest whenever he felt stressed. When faced with a difficult math problem, he would explore solutions independently for as long as possible, only seeking help from his teachers when he truly felt stuck.

"For some difficult math problems, it took me a whole week to find the answer", Nhan shared.

Pham Hoang Thai, a math teacher at Hung Dien B Junior High and High School, recalled that two years ago, a student unexpectedly stood up and asked for private lessons. At the time, Mr. Thai recognized Nhan's mathematical ability but still asked: "Why do you want to study?" The student replied that he wanted to study to secure a good job in the future, to support himself and his family. Mr. Thai then declined, asked him to sit down, and continued his lesson.

During recess, Nhan followed his teacher, asking why he wouldn't teach him.

"At that time, I told him that if he only studied for his own benefit, the results would be very limited compared to serving society", Mr. Thai remembered.

With Mr. Thai's guidance, in addition to studying mathematics, Nhan also read many books on science and literature, such as Hat giong tam hon, Hanh trinh ve phuong Dong, and biographies of famous scientists.

The student stated that he will enroll at Pho thong Nang khieu High School, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City.

"Studying at the gifted high school will provide opportunities to interact with many talented students and teachers, which will give me better conditions to develop myself", Nhan said, adding that in the long term, he plans to pursue information technology or mathematics education.

"Being a math teacher for young children would also be enjoyable", Nhan said.

Hoang Nam