High scores on standardized tests have long been regarded as a key measure of academic achievement and potential in many countries around the world, including Vietnam. However, recent studies have raised questions about the validity and usefulness of this approach, suggesting that high scores may not always be predictive of actual performance in real-life situations. This has important implications for education policy and practice in Vietnam, as well as for employers and students who rely on standardized test scores as a key criterion for academic and career success. This paper presents a case study of scores and actual performance in real life in Vietnam, based on a survey of 100 students and interviews conducted with educators, employers, and policymakers. The relationship between scores on standardized tests and actual performance in academic and career settings, as well as the factors that influence this relationship - such as soft skills, access to resources, and intrinsic motivation - reveals that there are certain factors affecting students’ performance that need to be addressed.