With this result in the Q21 subject combination, Tuyet Nhi not only topped the fourth testing round but also holds the highest score recorded across all four rounds of the exam this year. In comparison, the top score in 2025 was 130 out of 150.

Sharing her experience, Tuyet Nhi said she had expected a strong result but did not anticipate becoming the overall top scorer. “When the system displayed my score, I was a bit surprised. I didn’t think it would be that high because I felt my performance was not perfect. I was very happy to know I ranked first in the fourth round,” she said.

Her achievement is the result of a long-term academic journey rather than chance.

Throughout secondary school and up to Grade 11, Tuyet Nhi was a member of English academic teams. However, at the beginning of Grade 12, she made a decisive shift, joining the mathematics team to challenge herself in a new direction.

Before taking the competency assessment, she had already built an impressive academic record: first prize in the provincial English competition in Grade 10; third prize in the same subject in Grades 11 and 12 (including competing a year early); and second prize in the provincial mathematics competition in Grade 12. She also achieved an IELTS score of 8.0, providing a strong foundation for her confidence entering the exam.

Tuyet Nhi said she did not spend excessive time preparing specifically for this test. Instead, she emphasized the importance of staying calm and focused during exams.

In the competency assessment, she applied logical thinking skills developed through IELTS preparation to tackle different sections, particularly literature. “The reading section felt similar to English comprehension, focusing on language thinking. I used the analytical skills and reading techniques I developed while preparing for IELTS, as the test emphasized reasoning rather than tricky wording,” she explained.

She also highlighted the importance of consistent practice. Regularly working through practice tests helped her build resilience, improve her mindset and identify areas for improvement.

Outside her studies, Tuyet Nhi spends time on social media, where she follows online lectures and educational content from teachers across the country. She also plays the piano and badminton to maintain balance, holding a Grade 5 piano certificate from LCM.

Nguyen Thu Thuy, her mathematics teacher over three years of high school, described her as intelligent, composed and decisive, with strong self-learning abilities and effective knowledge synthesis.

“Although she only joined the math team in her final year, she showed remarkable progress. With strong self-study skills and the right approach, she quickly caught up and achieved excellent results, including the highest score among the school’s math team in the provincial competition,” Thuy said.

Following her recent success, Tuyet Nhi plans to focus on completing her high school program without placing excessive pressure on the upcoming graduation exam. She intends to apply to the National Economics University and continue pursuing her passion for numbers and logical thinking.

Thanh Hung