Sikeston student gets perfect score on ACT

SIKESTON, Mo. — Achieving the top score on the ACT exam is a rare feat, but a Sikeston High School senior has done just that.

Julius Hoang, son of Dinh and Yen Hoang of Sikeston, who will be a senior when the school year begins Aug. 17, earned the highest possible ACT composite score of 36.

The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, and a student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores.

Hoang said he scored a 36 on English, math and science and a 35 on reading, which averaged the score of 36.

“Honestly, I didn’t really prepare for it much,” said Hoang, who recently turned 17.

For Hoang, he said it was just another test.

“The state offers the free ACT. It was a mandatory thing,” Hoang said about taking the ACT for the third time.

The first time Hoang took the ACT was for Duke University Talent Identification Program, or Duke TIP. He was in seventh grade and scored a 23. A not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented youth, Duke TIP works with students, their families, and educators to identify, recognize, challenge, engage and help students reach their highest potential.

The second time Hoang took the ACT was his freshman year, and he scored a 30.

During his junior year, Hoang took the ACT for the third time in the spring, when the state required all Missouri juniors to take the college entrance exam.

This time, Hoang earned a perfect score.

“They sent me a letter. My dad was about to leave for work and told me the mail came in,” Hoang recalled.

The teen said he opened the letter and learned his fate.

“I was pretty excited,” Hoang said. “It’s amazing.”

Hoang said his parents are excited for him, too.

Nationally, while the actual number of students earning the top score varies from year to year, on average, less than one-tenth of 1 percent of students who take the ACT earn the top score. Among test-takers in the high-school graduating class of 2015, only 1,598 of more than 1.92 million students earned an ACT Composite score of 36.

Kim Thornbrough, senior counselor at Sikeston High School, said she can’t recall a SHS student achieving a perfect score on the ACT since she began working at the high school in 2007.

“I was so excited when I saw his score,” Thornbrough said. “It will open lots of opportunities for Julius. He may receive offers of full rides to several colleges. Once colleges see his score, they may be contacting him.”

Hoang said his college choices have not been finalized.

“I haven’t applied to anything yet,” the teen said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Missouri-Columbia are among his top two college choices. He said he’s considering studying computer software engineering.

Hoang said he doesn’t have a favorite subject, but his favorite activity is marching band. He plays the trumpet. He earned fourth in all-state band his sophomore year.

Hoang is also a member of the National Honor Society, Foreign Language Club, Key Club and Future Business Leaders of America. He also participated in the Missouri Scholars Academy.

“I like playing tennis, and I’m trying to teach myself to play the piano,” Hoang said, adding he’s using books he purchased from a music store to teach himself how to play.

When asked whether he could offer ACT-taking tips to other students, Hoang said he didn’t have any.

“I think some of the things they teach you in class are not enough. You have try to learn outside of the classroom,” Hoang said.

For example, Hoang said he used his iPad from school to download some educational apps about advanced placement courses.

“Some of the wording (on tests) is really confusing. You have to figure out what they’re trying to ask you,” he said.

Thornbrough noted Hoang is among the top percentage of high-performing students in his class.

“I can’t wait to see what he decides to do (after graduation),” Thornbrough said. “This score can guarantee his admission into any college and open wide doors for him.”