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| Dau Nguyen Thai Binh, top-scorer in the 2025 National High School Graduation Exam in Hue |
Setting a goal from the beginning
A total of 38.25 points is the score Thai Binh achieved in the 2025 exam, with individual subject scores as follows: Math 9, Literature 9.5, Physics 9.75, and Chemistry 10. This result made him the top-scorer in Hue City and placed him among the top four highest-scoring candidates nationwide.
With a confident demeanor, Thai Binh shared: “Earlier, I checked my answers against the official answer key from the Ministry of Education and Training, so I had a sense of how I did. But when the official scores were released, I was still very happy and proud to have achieved my goal.”
Notably, three years earlier, Thai Binh was also the top-scorer in the entrance exam for 10th grade in Thua Thien Hue Province (now, Hue City), earning a Certificate of Merit from the Provincial People’s Committee Chairman.
Though he was in Math Major class, Thai Binh excelled not only in the sciences but also in social science and research activities. In 10th grade, he won second prize at the National Science and Engineering Fair in the field of Social and Behavioural Sciences. This achievement earned him direct admission to the University of Law - Hue University, along with a full-tuition scholarship for the entire course.
Thai Binh maintained strong performance across all subjects. His favorite subject is Physics. In addition to academic pursuits, he actively participated in his school’s debate club, which he said helped him sharpen his knowledge, reasoning skills, and ability to clearly present ideas.
Sharing about his future plans, Binh said he has applied to the University of Law - Hue University and hopes to become a law lecturer. “Since I was younger, I’ve had a passion for language and public speaking”, he explained.
Reaching the dream score
Behind Dau Nguyen Thai Binh’s impressive exam scores lies no secret formula, but rather a clear, consistent, and disciplined study routine. Binh shared, “From the very beginning, I set specific goals for each week. For example, I planned how many practice tests in math, physics, chemistry, and literature I needed to complete. After finishing them, I would review and learn from my mistakes. I kept this up throughout the entire exam preparation period.”
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| Dau Nguyen Thai Binh receiving a school award |
For Binh, studying all subjects evenly helped reduce pressure during the exam and ensured well-rounded results. In addition to absorbing the knowledge taught by his teachers, self-study played a crucial role. If there was anything he didn’t understand in class, he would ask his teachers afterward. Binh recounted, “The closer it got to exam day, the more I tried to maintain a steady study pace, avoiding excessive pressure. In the final days, I let myself rest and relax to stay mentally refreshed.”
Regarding science subjects, Binh emphasized the importance of firmly grasping the basics, practicing with mock tests to identify common question types, and regular revision. He stressed, “there’s no need to study overly advanced material, as it isn’t relevant for the exam. Instead, stick to the curriculum and focus on key knowledge areas”.
On the day of the exam, in multiple-choice subjects, Binh recommended that if students are confident in their pace, they should first mark the answers on their draft paper and underline key points in the questions without immediately filling in the answer sheet. This way, upon checking later on, they won’t be mentally locked into their initial choices.
As for Literature, a subject that many science-focused students tend to shy away from, Binh still achieved a high score. He remarked that the Literature exam under the 2018 General Education Program had shifted in a direction that better suited students. This, he believed, was an advantage for students who specialize in the sciences.
Binh explained, “The test no longer requires memorization or lengthy essays. Instead, it demands understanding the prompt, selecting relevant ideas, writing clearly, and presenting convincing arguments. To score well in Literature, students need to read regularly and practice developing concise, coherent ideas. I also frequently reviewed the grading rubrics to know which points were essential.”
At one point, Binh admitted, he felt quite pressured by the lofty goal he had set for himself, becoming the national top-scorer. However, he eventually learned to adjust his mindset. “Before entering the exam room, I would wash my face to stay alert, take a deep breath, and focus solely on the test. By not succumbing to pressure, I was able to score better than expected”.
To underclassmen, Binh offered this advice: “You still have many months to prepare for the exam. Don’t wait until the last minute. Start early, set weekly goals, and maintain a steady pace. This way, you’ll avoid stress and study much more effectively”.
With the new curriculum, science subjects now have more practical-oriented exam formats. Binh suggested that students be selective about what to study. There’s no need to focus on overly advanced or obscure knowledge, as it consumes energy without benefiting the exam. For Literature, memorization is no longer the key; instead, students should master the content in their textbooks and expand their understanding with social knowledge.
With a methodical, disciplined approach to learning, self-confidence, and unceasing effort, Dau Nguyen Thai Binh’s journey is not just a story of academic success, but also an inspiring example for young people in pursuit of knowledge and their dreams.