MP senior scores perfect on ACT

It does not take a mathematician to realize Kevin He's score on the ACT put him in rare company.

The Mountain Pointe senior attained the perfect score of 36 on the nationwide test, and was one of only two Arizona high school students to do so.

Nationwide, 162 students out of 410,000 achieved perfection, according to the ACT. That means He is in the 99.96 percentile, for those of you keeping track.

About 3,000 Arizona students took the test, which was administered on June 18, and the composite average in the Tempe Union High School District for the 2006-07 testing seasons was 22.7, according to TUHSD.

"Actually, when I first got the results, I didn't realize it was that rare of a score," He said. "On the practice tests, I had gotten a 32. I came out (of the actual test) thinking it was an easy test actually, but not to that extent."

He said when MP Principal Bruce Kipper received the press release from the ACT, Kipper notified every faculty member at the school. Some of He's teachers made classroom announcements, putting him in an awkward spot, he said.

"It was definitely embarrassing at times," He said. "But I know they meant well."

He hopes that the score will aid him in his quest to join the medical field once he graduates at the end of the year.

"Mainly, I want to go to college out of state," He said.

The ACT, which consists of tests in English, math, reading and science, is accepted at almost all U.S. colleges and universities. He's perfect score will mostly likely guarantee him a spot at the university of his choice once he begins applying for colleges next year.