Vietnam sees 74% rise in SAT test-takers amid growing demand for study abroad

By Binh Minh November 1, 2024 | 06:00 pm PT

Over 3,500 Vietnamese registered for the SAT last year, a 74% increase from the previous year, reflecting heightened interest in studying abroad and the expanding acceptance of SAT scores by universities.

The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test), a widely recognized standardized test, is used for admissions in universities across the U.S., Europe, and beyond. It includes two sections: Reading & Writing and Math, with a maximum score of 1600.

IIG Vietnam, the authorized SAT administrator in Vietnam, reported Thursday that the number of test-takers has been trending upward for several years. In 2019, over 1,700 Vietnamese took the SAT, with annual growth rates between 6-17% until 2022. Last year, there were 3,510 test-takers, nearly 1,500 more than the prior year.

The College Board, which administers the SAT globally, notes that around two million students take the SAT each year, with last year's average score at 1050 out of 1600, and scores above 1530 placing students in the top 1% worldwide.

The increase in Vietnamese SAT test-takers is driven by a strong demand for studying abroad.

Vietnam ranks among the top 10 markets globally for student migration, according to ICEF Monitor, an international education information platform. Vietnamese students are also among the top five groups of international students in the U.S. and Australia, with over 30,000-44,000 students, and in Canada, with 17,000 students, showing growth compared to pre-Covid-19 levels.

More Vietnamese universities are incorporating SAT scores into their admissions. For this year’s intake, over 20 universities in northern Vietnam are accepting SAT scores, with Hanoi University of Science and Technology setting the highest benchmark at 1450/1600, while other institutions generally require scores of 1100 or higher.