13 Yrs Hanoi Student Scores 8.5 in IELTS on First Attem

A 13-year-old student from Hanoi, Le Tuan Minh, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by scoring 8.5 in the IELTS test on his very first try. A student of True North International School, Minh attributes his high score to early exposure to English and his passion for reading English content related to programming and robotics. He took the IELTS exam on March 31 and secured 8.5 in Listening, Reading, and Speaking, while scoring 7.5 in Writing. The students can check the latest updates of 13-Year-Old Vietnamese Student Scores 8.5 in IELTS on First Attempt.

Outstanding Performance Among Young Candidates

IELTS data reveals that most test-takers in Vietnam are between the ages of 16 and 22, with only 1% managing to score 8.5 or above in the 2023–2024 cycle. Minh began preparing for the IELTS one year prior to his test date. He focused on understanding the exam structure and various question formats. Setting a goal to score 8.0 before completing 8th grade, he enrolled in a biweekly preparation class and also bought access to an online practice portal, where he practiced one to three mock tests per skill area each day.

Writing Section Overcome with Preparation

Initially, Minh was most concerned about the Writing component, especially Task 1, which often involves describing graphs or data sets. Fortunately, his actual exam included a process description involving a solar-powered pump for clean water—something he found easier to explain. For Task 2, he was asked to discuss challenges middle-aged workers face while competing with younger individuals and propose potential solutions. He argued that limited job availability was a primary issue and recommended that advances like artificial intelligence could open up new types of employment, easing the generational gap. His familiarity with tech topics helped him articulate his thoughts effectively.

Strength in Speaking and Reading

Although the Matching Headings questions in the Reading section posed some difficulty due to closely related answer choices, Minh handled them by thoroughly analyzing topic sentences and conclusions. He felt particularly confident in the Listening and Speaking sections thanks to the English-immersive environment at his school, which allowed him to refine his pronunciation, fluency, and comprehension through regular interaction.

Minh’s accomplishment sets an inspiring example for other young learners, proving that determination, consistent practice, and a strong foundation in English can lead to academic success at any age.