Le Quoc Khang, a 12th-grade student at Nguyen Tat Thanh Secondary and High School in Hanoi, earned a perfect 1600/1600 SAT score in late March, on his fourth attempt. Additionally, Khang achieved an IELTS score of 8.0 after retaking all four skills.
"Upon receiving news of his perfect score, I was overjoyed because my efforts had paid off," Khang shared, adding that he didn't dare check his score himself, asking a friend to log in and verify it first.
According to the College Board, the organization that owns the SAT, a score of 1530 or higher places a test-taker in the top 1% globally among more than two million candidates each year. The exam consists of two sections: reading and writing (54 questions) and math (44 questions), lasting over two hours.
Khang began preparing for the SAT in 10th grade. In his three previous attempts, his scores were 1440, 1430, and 1500, respectively. The student realized he frequently lost points in the reading and writing section, particularly in determining the meaning of words in context or choosing synonyms (word in context). He sometimes lost points in the math section due to carelessness.
Although he initially planned to stop after the 2024 exam due to stagnant scores, Khang decided to try again this year after seeing his friends achieve high results.
"I thought, 'Why do I have the same opportunity but haven't put in as much effort as my friends?'" Khang said.
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Le Quoc Khang in his yearbook photo. Photo: Provided by subject |
Unlike previous attempts, when he studied at a center, for his final exam, the student primarily self-studied at home for about one to two months. Instead of practicing full tests, Khang searched for online resources, obtained textbooks from friends, and focused on specific problem types.
"Wherever I struggled, I would concentrate on practicing exercises of that type," Khang explained.
To avoid losing points on word in context questions, which often use academic and less common vocabulary, he recorded and looked up the Vietnamese meaning of 30 to 40 words daily. He wrote them on paper, covered the Vietnamese meanings, and reread them multiple times to memorize. Closer to the exam date, he completed a few practice tests to manage his time effectively.
In addition to the SAT, Khang also took the IELTS two times. The first time, he scored 7.5. After achieving 1600 on the SAT, Khang retook the IELTS, aiming for a better result, and achieved 8.0.
The student stated that the writing and speaking sections were the most challenging, requiring more real-world English practice. Khang prepared using an AI tool on a website, which helped him develop quick responses for the exam. He also organized group study sessions with friends to increase discussion and interaction.
"I don't have any special secret. The important thing is to recognize your weaknesses, practice the areas that need improvement, and have strong enough motivation to pursue your goals to the end," Khang affirmed.
Beyond academics, the student maintains a habit of going to the gym about three sessions a week and refrains from studying on sunday to allow his brain time to rest and relax. He also actively participates in extracurricular activities, taking photos to earn pocket money.
"Activities outside of studying help me avoid getting caught up in exam pressure," the student noted.
According to teacher Tran Minh Duc, Khang's homeroom teacher, most students complete the SAT by the end of 11th grade or early 12th grade to focus on domestic university admissions. However, Khang persistently pursued his goal of a perfect score.
"Khang always wants everything to be even better, so he was determined to retake the exam," teacher Duc said, adding that Khang is the first student at Nguyen Tat Thanh High School to achieve a perfect SAT score this year, motivating other students at the school.
Currently, Khang is considering using his SAT and IELTS results to apply for admission to domestic universities, aiming for the University of Foreign Trade and fields such as business and data analysis. In the long term, he wishes to pursue higher education and, if given the opportunity, study abroad for more experience.
Chau Anh
