When Andrew Stein applies to colleges next year, he’ll have an achievement that most students can only dream about ? a perfect SAT score.
Back in May, Stein, who will begin his senior year at Oxford High School in the fall, scored a 2400 on the SAT Reasoning Test, the highest score possible.
‘I was really excited when I found out,? he said. ‘I really didn’t expect it at all.?
When he saw his score posted on-line, Stein ‘couldn’t believe it.?
‘I normally make little mistakes on things,? he said. ‘I guess I just got lucky.?
Last year, of the 1,465,744 college-bound high school seniors who took the SAT, only 238 scored a perfect 2400 on the test ? 131 males and 107 females.
‘I knew it was pretty uncommon, but I didn’t think it was that rare,? said Stein, who’s the son of Mary and Doug Stein.
Given on specified dates throughout the year at test centers in the United States and other countries, the SAT tests writing, mathematics and critical reading. The highest possible score on each section is 800.
The test, required by many colleges and financial aid programs, lasts 3 hours and 45 minutes, including an un-scored 25-minute variable section, which helps in the development of future test questions.
When it came to preparing for the SAT, Stein said he ‘didn’t really do much official studying for it.?
‘I did read a lot, but I’ve always read a lot of books,? he said.
Earlier this year, Stein took the ACT, a national college admission examination, and scored a 34 out of 36.
‘The test itself was kind of a good practice for knowing what to expect (on the SAT),? he explained.
The best test-taking advice Stein can give is ‘Make sure you’re relaxed and confident going into it.?
‘I went into the test assuming I would do fairly well on it and thinking ‘I know what I know, so there’s nothing more I can do now,?? he said.
Being ‘really nervous? and thinking you ‘have to do well? in order to get into the college of your choice puts too much stress on people and ultimately makes them unprepared to take the SAT, according to Stein.
‘It makes it a lot easier if you’re relaxed,? he said.
Scoring a 2400 on the SAT will definitely be a big plus to Stein when it comes time to apply for college.
Out of state, he’s look at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Olin College of Engineering, also located in Massachusetts.
In state, he’s considering either the University of Michigan or Michigan Technological University in Houghton.
Stein is considering studying either chemical or electrical engineering. But he admitted that could change.
‘I’m interested in a lot of things so it’s kind of hard to narrow it down,? he said.
He knows test scores alone won’t get him into the college or university of his choice.
‘I feel like it will definitely help me, but you need to be a well-rounded person, it’s not just about getting good test scores,? Stein said.
That’s why he maintains a 4.0 GPA, runs both cross country and track, plays trombone in jazz band, competes in Quiz Bowl and is a member of the National Honor Society.