Nine students from the school recorded scores ranging from 1,520 to 1,590 out of a maximum 1,600, placing them firmly within the highest global percentile. Among them, Vũ Ngọc Huyền emerged as the top performer with a score of 1,590, one of the highest results reported this year.
The SAT, a standardized test widely used for university admissions in the United States, assesses candidates in two sections: Reading and Writing, and Mathematics.
Scores range from 400 to 1,600. Each year, approximately two million students worldwide sit the exam, but only around 7% achieve scores of 1,400 or above. A score of 1,520 typically places candidates in the top 1% globally.
Ngọc Huyền attributed her success to a methodical and reflective study approach rather than sheer volume of practice. After each mock test, she documented all incorrect answers, analyzed the underlying mistakes, and cross-referenced them with official answer explanations. This iterative process allowed her to refine both accuracy and reasoning over time.
In addition to mastering question types, she maintained a consistent vocabulary-building routine, learning approximately 50 new words per day. She also used spaced repetition techniques via learning applications to reinforce retention. Online resources, including courses and instructional videos, played a supplementary role in developing effective test-taking strategies.
Other high-performing students shared similar motivations. Phùng Hồ An Nguyên, who scored 1,560, viewed the SAT as a strategic tool to expand international university opportunities, particularly in fields such as economics, commerce and finance. He said early registration and focused preparation were key to gaining a competitive edge in admissions.
Students also highlighted that the primary challenge of the SAT lies not in language proficiency but in critical thinking. Đặng Ngọc Diệu Anh, another student scoring 1,560, noted that the exam requires candidates to analyze problems deeply and eliminate incorrect options through reasoning, rather than relying on straightforward answers. She emphasized that even students with strong English skills may initially struggle with this approach.
Diệu Anh credited self-discipline and independent study as decisive factors in her preparation. By first understanding the exam structure and question formats, she was able to design a targeted study plan that improved efficiency and performance.
Despite their exceptional results, students acknowledged that high SAT scores alone do not guarantee admission to international universities. Instead, they are considered one component among several evaluation criteria, alongside qualifications such as English proficiency tests.
Their achievements reflect a combination of strategic learning, persistence and adaptability—factors increasingly seen as essential for success in competitive global examinations.
According to Mai Thị Vui, Vice Principal of Hung Vuong High School for the Gifted, as of now in the 2025-2026 academic year, the school has nine students with high SAT scores; notably, Vũ Ngọc Huyền (Grade 12C2A) achieved a near-perfect score of 1,590/1,600.
Additionally, several other students from Grade 12C2A also achieved high scores, including: Phùng Hồ An Nguyên (1,560 points), Đặng Ngọc Diệu Anh (1,560 points), Hà Trịnh Nhật Anh (1,550 points), and Phạm Ngọc Diệp (1,560 points), among others.
