The Nguyen Khuyen Junior High School and High School student expressed surprise on Tuesday, 16/7, upon learning of his exceptionally high score.
"Initially, I estimated around 29 points, as I didn't bring the exam papers home to check the answers," Tai said.
According to data from the Ministry of Education and Training, there are 9 top scorers nationwide this year with perfect scores of 30, including 8 students in the A00 exam group (math, physics, chemistry). Tai is the only one in the B00 group.
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Tran Duc Tai, the only top scorer in the B00 exam group for the 2025 high school graduation exam. Photo: Nguyen Khuyen Junior High School and High School Fanpage. |
Tran Duc Tai, the only top scorer in the B00 exam group for the 2025 high school graduation exam. Photo: Nguyen Khuyen Junior High School and High School Fanpage.
Tai shared that he has dreamt of becoming a doctor since 8th grade, inspired by his older sister who was accepted into the medical program at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Born in Ca Mau, Tai decided to move to Ho Chi Minh City for high school to access better educational opportunities.
"To dream big, one must go far, so I came to the city for better education," Tai explained.
Confident in his math skills since secondary school, Tai focused on advanced exercises, particularly in 3D geometry, probability, and calculus. He emphasized thoroughness in each practice test, especially in the probability section.
For chemistry, he meticulously studied the theory from all three new textbooks before moving on to applied knowledge. Tai noted that this year's exam focused on understanding chemical phenomena, prompting him to practice with real-world problems. His biggest concern was classical calculations in chemistry, but fortunately, the questions were relatively basic.
"The most challenging part of the exam was the true-false section. Many concepts were interconnected and confusing, making it easy to make mistakes without careful analysis," Tai commented.
Biology was Tai's weakest subject in the B00 group. He acknowledged feeling less confident while taking the exam. Recognizing the exam's emphasis on application, he supplemented his theoretical review with studies in physiology, underlying diseases, and ecology, utilizing materials from teachers and former students. This preparation helped him answer a question about diabetes.
"That question would have been difficult for those without a basic understanding of the disease," Tai noted.
As a boarding student, Tai didn't have any outside tutoring. With three study sessions a day, his teachers effectively allocated time for all three subjects, preventing him from having to stay up late.
"I usually go to bed around 10 p.m.," Tai said. During the final month, he remained at school to review, dividing the three subjects into morning, afternoon, and evening slots, following the school's regular schedule. He used his free time, about 3-4 hours after school, to catch up on areas where he felt less confident.
Tai plans to apply to the medical program at Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, aiming to pursue a residency in internal medicine. He mentioned his habit of reading additional medical materials at a basic university level, sourced from teachers, students in the field, or online searches.
Doan Hung
