In the mid-March SAT session, Do Ba Huong Tra - a student in class 12G1 of the Global Citizen Bilingual Pathway at Greenfield School Ecopark Campus - secured a spot in the top 1% of scorers globally. Tra achieved a perfect 800 in the Reading and Writing section and a 790/800 in Math.

The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized entrance exam widely used for university admissions in the United States and many other countries, including the UK, Australia, Canada, South Korea, and Singapore. The exam is managed by the College Board and developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

The digital SAT consists of a 64-minute Reading and Writing section (54 questions) and a 70-minute Math section (44 questions). With each section scored on a scale of 800, the maximum possible score is 1600. Generally, a score of 1520 or higher places a candidate in the global top 1%. Tra’s near-perfect result is a testament to her exceptional academic ability, resilience, and self-discipline.

"When I saw the result on the screen, I was in total shock. I couldn't believe I had reached that score," Tra recalled. "I immediately shared the news with my friends and my homeroom teacher", Tra said.

Tra had previously attempted the SAT in December 2025 but fell short of her expectations due to a lack of Math-specific vocabulary. "For the March 2025 attempt, my goal was 1500+, but I never expected to go this high," she admitted.

Recognizing the growing trend of Vietnamese universities using international certificates for admission, and with SAT and IELTS preparation integrated into her school curriculum, Tra decided to tackle both exams to boost her chances of securing scholarships.

Her routine involved completing one full-length practice test per week. Beyond classroom assignments, she utilized Bluebook (the College Board’s official digital testing app) and external resources like Khan Academy, Princeton Review, and CrackSAT.

Regarding the Math section, Tra noted that while the concepts (algebra, geometry, statistics, and advanced math) aren't overly difficult for Vietnamese students, the challenge lies in understanding English terminology. Her secret to scoring a 790 was mastering Desmos, the built-in graphing calculator for the digital SAT. "If you master the features of Desmos to visualize equations and statistics, a perfect score is almost guaranteed," Tra revealed.

The Reading and Writing section proved to be the toughest hurdle, featuring complex texts ranging from geography and biology to classical literature. Despite holding an IELTS 7.5, Tra noted that the SAT requires significantly more effort due to its advanced vocabulary and the need for broader general knowledge.

To prepare, she categorized her practice into four key domains: Craft and Structure (Understanding purpose and context), Information and Ideas (Identifying main points and making inferences), Standard English Conventions: Mastering grammar and punctuation, Expression of Ideas (Enhancing the logic and cohesion of texts). 

"There is no shortcut to the Reading section other than constantly expanding your vocabulary," Tra explained. Having studied at Greenfield School since Grade 1, her long-term exposure to English allowed her to streamline her SAT prep. She also supplemented her learning by watching YouTube videos and reading comics in English to absorb the language naturally.

Ms. Truong Thi Ai Nhi, an IELTS and SAT teacher at Greenfield School, expressed her pride: "This result is a well-deserved reward for Tra's determination. She has a very sharp analytical mind and an impressive ability to retain vocabulary."

With her impressive SAT and IELTS scores, Tra plans to apply to prestigious international and top-tier public universities in Vietnam. she is currently weighing her career options between Multimedia Communication and Design Studies.

Congratulations to Huong Tra on this remarkable achievement. We wish her continued success as she embarks on her journey to her dream university!