Stony Point High School senior Marisa Gras scored a 36 on her recent ACT college admission exam – the highest possible composite score.
On average, less than one-tenth of one percent of all test takers earn this top score, according to information provided by the ACT. Among ACT-tested Class of 2013 graduates, only 1,162 out of nearly 1.8 million students earned the composite score of 36.
Gras took the ACT in June. She is involved with Future Farmers of America, Environmental Club and the International Baccalaureate program at the school. Outside of school, Gras is active in Girl Scouts.
After graduating college, she plans to pursue a career in biomedical engineering.
The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1-36, and a student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. Some students also take ACT’s optional writing test, but the score for that test is reported separately and is not included within the ACT composite score.
“While test scores are just one of the many criteria that most colleges consider when making admission decisions, an exceptional ACT composite score should prove helpful in pursuing education and career goals, said ACT CEO Jon Whitmore in a letter recognizing Gras’ achievement.
ACT test scores are accepted by all major U.S. colleges, and exceptional scores of 36 provide colleges with evidence of student readiness for the academic rigors that lie ahead.