Pham Tran Tien Khanh, a 12th-grade student specializing in English at Bac Ninh High School for Gifted Students, was among the 13 high-achieving applicants listed in Hanoi University of Science and Technology's talent-based admissions announcement on 22/6.
Khanh achieved a perfect score in the Listening section of the IELTS, earning an overall band score of 8.0 on his first attempt in 11th grade.
Khanh's first SAT attempt in 12/2024 was canceled for unknown reasons. A few months later, he retook the test to bolster his chances of entering Hanoi University of Science and Technology.
"I only studied for the SAT for about three weeks, doing a few Reading and Writing questions daily to familiarize myself with the format. I barely studied for the Math section, as I already had a strong foundation", Khanh said. He was confident of a score around 1590/1600 immediately after the test, so the perfect 1600 displayed on the system wasn't a surprise.
The SAT is a standardized test widely used for university admissions in the US. According to the College Board, which owns the test, around two million students worldwide take the SAT annually. A score of 1530/1600 or higher places a student in the top 1%.
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Pham Tran Tien Khanh. Photo: Provided by the subject |
Pham Tran Tien Khanh. Photo: Provided by the subject
Khanh began learning English in elementary school but became serious about it in 6th grade when he decided to specialize in English. Initially, he followed a traditional approach: practicing tests and studying grammar. In 11th grade, he switched to using English for reading news, watching videos, and exploring his favorite topics.
"When you see English as a tool for discovery, learning becomes much easier and more enjoyable", Khanh said. "Simply practicing tests is hard to maintain motivation for if you're not truly passionate about the language".
In his free time, Khanh follows YouTube channels like Fireship (programming) and Nick DiGiovanni (cooking), along with other academic and entertainment content on social media. Throughout his preparation, he maintained a regular schedule, prioritizing sleep, typically from 10 PM to 11 PM.
Therefore, Khanh didn't spend excessive time practicing for the IELTS, focusing on Speaking only in the last two weeks. The other skills were already familiar to him from his time on the national English team. He finished both the Reading and Writing sections 10-30 minutes early.
According to Khanh, the SAT is more challenging than the IELTS because it requires time to adapt to the format and develop information processing skills. He chose the SAT because he realized he wasn't truly passionate about linguistics, despite specializing in English and winning two national second prizes.
"I prefer using English to learn other things", Khanh shared.
A turning point came in 11th grade when Khanh explored data and artificial intelligence (AI). He used chatbots for model prediction, programmed simple games, and utilized ChatGPT for graphics and animation.
"I find AI very practical and want to pursue this field long-term", Khanh shared. He then set his sights on the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence program at Hanoi University of Science and Technology.
Ngo Thuy Dung, Khanh's homeroom teacher, describes him as quick-witted and exceptionally bright.
"Despite dedicating significant time to the national team, he maintained excellent performance in other subjects, especially in the natural sciences like math", she said.
Tien Khanh's top priority is excelling at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. He hopes to pursue a research career in the future.
Phuong Anh - Huyen Trang
