E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
NBCPhiladelphia.com / Deanna Durante
Three students from Upper Dublin High School in Montgomery County, Penn., all scored a perfect score of 2400 on their SATs.
Three students from Montgomery County, Pa., accomplished something extremely rare -- they all scored a perfect score of 2400 on their SAT.
And what's even more rare is that all three students are classmates at the same school.
The Upper Dublin High School juniors dedicated years, studying for this one test.
Julie Baldassano, 17, who is the youngest in her family, says her two big brothers left some intimidating shoes to fill, because they both scored 2380 when they took the SAT. She says she couldn't wait to tell them about her perfect score. "They said 'congrats,' yeah, it felt great to be able to tell them."
Benjamin She, 16, says the test is all about skill. "Taking a standardized test like the SAT is just like doing a skill like Poker, it's all about what you need to do to analyze the questions."
According to the College Board, more than one million students take the SAT each year. Last year, only 360 students got a perfect score.
These three students share another thing in common-- they were surprised when they saw the 2400.
"It's really exciting and I never expected it," said William Raynor, 16, who is the oldest in his family.
For other students who stress when it comes time to take the SAT, these perfect test takers say practice and dedication really do make all the difference.
"Don't get discouraged, I wasn't getting anywhere near 2400 when I started practicing, but the more you do the better it'll go and the easier it will get," said Baldassano, who added that besides academics, they all have other interests.
Baldassano likes to knit and volunteers at an animal shelter. She combines her two passions by selling knitted hats to her friends for $10 each, and donates that money to the shelter. So far, she's raised $4,000 for the cause she's passionate about and says she is considering veterinary medicine for her future.
Benjamin She is also considering a future in medicine, and has a passion for classical music. He plays violin in a youth orchestra in Philadelphia. On Sundays, he teaches English at a Chinese school for the elderly.
Raynor volunteers at a library and plays viola in the same youth orchestra as She. He also competes in the science olympiad, math team and science fair and is looking to study medicine as well.
"You can find time to study and do well academically while still having other passions," said Baldassano.
Leave a Comment:
lol 2 weeks later: 3 students with SAT perfect scores admit to cheating
Julie is a HOT BABE!!!! She can knit a hat for me.
If the key to the test is to study for the test for years, doesn't that mean the results are not valid to show how you will do in college?
Kids like this take funding from serious spitball competitors.
Congratulations to all of you! I hope your hard work and dedication inspires others.
Not necessarily. It could mean that the test is good at identifying people who would do well in college because they: 1) are motivated enough to spend a lot of time in study and preparation, 2) have good study skills, 3) have the analytical ability to apply what they learn from their study/practice experience, etc.
I started college with a guy who had gotten 1600 on the SATs, which was a perfect score in those days. He ended up flunking out his first year. He could not handle having to do all the other things that go along with being in college and on your own a well as keep up with the work. Without someone there to take care of everything for him but studying all the time he could not make it. It is good to see that these three do things besides studying all the time. The extreme book worms rarely do well when they get out in the real world.
Not necessarily so. Had a cousin scored perfect on the SAT's and she struggled in college.
She did just like in the story, studied for years for "the test". All that proves is they can pass the test they devoted maximum study time to. Not how well they may do.
That is why the test really should not count for admission or how students are picked for open slots in big universities.
journal journal....really sarcastic comment. To achieve what these three students accomplished and read an article and then have to see what someone like you writes is probably pretty hurtful to these kids, even if you thought it was LOL.
And the key to getting high scores on the SAT's is not necessarily years of studying for the test in and of it's self. It is years of dedicated study in English, Math, Reading, and Science to have developed the comprehension of critical reading and writing skills and the ability to interpret questions and formulate analytical thinking skills. Students who score high on SAT's generally do very well in college because they have the foundation of these skills though years of dedication to learning and study skill practices. That is why Colleges have scales guidelines for graduating GPA's in conjunction with your SAT score. They want the best of the best. And the reason many students who did well in High School achievements and do poorly in College is a combination of environmental changes and the fact that they are no longer 15,16,17 yr olds living under Mom and Dad's roof with rules and get to College and it's the first time in their lives they are really on their own.
Best of luck to these three students in their future educational endeavors. They will go far and should be sincerely congratulated (as well as their parents) for the dedication to education and study they made to achieve this honor. Harvard, Princeton, Colombia, Stanford, USC and the likes will be sending these kids college pamphlets with offers to "visit" any day now...
I find it very suspicious..
Jean...
WHY??? What would give you cause for suspicion of these three kids? They did something remarkable that is very, very difficult to do. That is no reason to be "very suspicious". Are you also suspicious of people applying for Graduate programs who get a perfect score on their GRE's? Again...very difficult, rare, requires years of dedicated quantitative courses and study and happens often. Perhaps one of these three will accomplish that honor as well in future years.
Don't be surprise because they got a perfect score on the SAT. A brother and sister got a perfect SAT score in the 80's at my HS. They are straight A students and both got scholarships to the best Universities. If all those 3 students in PA are A students then don't be surprise with their perfect scores.
Jean...I find you very STUPID!
I just love people who denigrate the accomplishments of others. I'm sure it really boosts your self esteem.
Julie is underage. Why don't you have a seat right over there.
@journaljournal
You suck at intelligence and you put down those above you on the IQ scale. Go flip your burgers.
They all explained the key to success for them - STUDY, PRACTICE and more STUDY.
It's a combination of intelligence and practice, but considering the importance to their future, kids would be well advised to give it serious consideration.
journal journal you are a bitter little thing aren't you? Seriously, you really should see a therapist if you are jealous of some one you do not even know. Jealousy will eat you alive.
We welcome kids like these in the Navy SEALS when they become of age...Benjamin, you could be a Navy SEAL Team Doc bro...think outside the box...
I didn't study and I score 2400 on the SATs. Well actually I scored 600 4 times. Does that count?
These days, aren't these tests administered at test centers, and based on randomized questions? Cheating would be extremely difficult.. the only real way to do it woud be to hire somebody to take the test for you, and if somebody is actually available to hire that could get 3 perfect scores on 3 tests, that would be even more amazing than 3 different people getting 3 perfect scores on their own. I'd give them the benefit of the doubt.
These guys who said it isn't a good predictor are absolutely correct. Both myself and one of MY classmates got perfect scores our senior year (1998, Summit high school), and we BOTH struggled like hell in college- I almost failed out, she had plenty of other issues. It's true- college, though insulated from real life, still requires the ability to multitask, manage your schedule, etc. etc.... in other words, you need to grow up (even just a bit). Being good at high school vocabulary and a bunch of (relatively) simple math in no way meant I was even halfway decent at any of that!
I wish these kids all the best, but I do know that while they may have the raw horsepower to do well in college and the future, it's learning how to focus and apply that that actually matters. Plenty of kids I outscored on the bloody test ended up reaching all their goals in life far sooner than I did.
What I find so interesting about of the nay'sayers above, when they're critical of these three young kids getting a perfect score.......... they never once criticize athletes who perform perfect games, or at the least...the highest scores, whether it be basketball, baseball, bowling, golf, or tennis [to name just a few]. Not so surprising, the athletes have to do the same routine as these young kids.....practice, practice, practice...and it will pay off.
i find it also very suspicious! back in my day , they locked us up from taking the SAT(1972 Oak Ridge High School, Orlando ,Florida) in the cafeteria. Mostly blacks and the few Hispanics back then , but also the bad students that, if they were not in jail or prison hung on. we were told not to leave as the Sheriffs officers were there to arrest us! I guess we were Veitnam fodder!
SAT...if it stood for...sat around trolling...i'd get a perfect score...nothing is more fun than the three stooges on crack...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeUeaUn7p20
3 students, same school, same time score perfect scores? Nobody else in the entire country scores perfectly? Something fishy here.
Quick! Someone run to their defense and say "It's cuz they worked really hard" b.s.
Jean, I'm guessing someone pissed in your coffee this morning. Why else would you make such a negative comment. It is nearly impossible to cheat on the SATs...from showing a picture ID at registration to a tightly controlled environment, there are safe guards all along the way.
I also agree with the comments saying that a perfect score does not guarantee college success. Our oldest son dropped out of an Ivy League school after 2 dismal years of struggling to maintain a C average. He scored 2400. He finished college at a small state school and found happiness and success there. Our youngest son scored a respectable 1900 and has maintained a 4.0 for three years at the University of Pennsylvania. He just took the LSAT and scored 180 out of 180.
While I see the need for the SATs, they're certainly not an indicator of automatic success in college or in life. Neither are the LSATs, GREs, and the MCATs... or any other standardized tests. In many ways, these tests simply show that you are a good test taker.
Back in my day a perfect SAT score was 1600 ( And yes, this was just a couple of years after the last ice age ended ). But nevertheless, of my graduating class of just over 600 seniors, there were three perfect 1600 scores.
PS. No, ... I wasn't even close! ;-)
i made a perfect score...doesn't everybody...
The article explicitly states that 360 people per year get perfect scores on the SAT.
They don't have to cheat. They're not black and they have high IQs.
I think they need to ask a question on the test. Did you study for this or are you using your knowledge base? Then the scores should be divided into two categories. You can study for an IQ test and make your scores go up but does that mean you are more intelligent. No it just means you know how to answer those questions on the test. When I hear of scores like this I automatically think did they study for it. Then I discount their score. Getting a high score should not be the goal, learning the info which enables you to get a high score should be. Just like in school, the object is not to get A's. It is to learn the info and knowledge which enables you to get A's. You can know more and get lower grades and get higher grades and know less. I guess it is how you apply them in life that really counts. Getting A's or high SAT scores do not guarantee a successful future. And wouldn't it have been nice if these kids could have gotten these scores without studying for the actual test? Now that would be something to brag about!
Smithe, get mental help.
I'm not surprised at this comment coming from someone with a moniker like ProFreedom, no doubt a mindless Limbaugh drone.
Did you read the article? The article said that 360 got perferct scores last year. Check this out:
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/oct/28/student-gets-perfect-sat-score-and-so-does-her/
Gee, it doesn't take much to do a simple Google search, which wouldl seem to be something beyond ProFreedom's abilities...
Julie, Benjamin & Raynor - congratulations!
cha cha cha cheaters! (instead of cha cha cha chia!)
@Gumps-
I'm not surprised at this response to my comment from someone with a moniker like Gumps, no doubt an idiot who lives in his mommy's basement trolling websites like Newsvine. Typical of the mindless lefty libbie leghumping Obamazombies. Have a good day.
By the way, despite your worldy, masterful capabilities to utilize Google- the ultimate accomplishment of your existence- you can come back and apologize once it's found these kids cheated. If you don't see how it's unusual for 3 kids at the same school to score perfectly then... well, again, more typical head in the sand behavior from the left-leaning lemmings.
If you think that is good, you should check out Solon High School in suburban Cleveland. Four students received perfect scores on the ACT, one on the SAT and one on the PSAT. It should still be kept in mind that students who don't do as well can still succeed in college. Not all great achievers in life are great test takers. While it is nice to have those scores for scholarships, they are not always an indicator of success.
Would it be possible for you to just say "congratulations" and then maybe just take a big bite of shut the hell up?
I approve of both your statements so I favored both! And mine, too!
WOW, figure the odds. I wanna sit next to them in my college classes,,,,but Julie can sit on my lap after school.
I am one of those who can analyse multiple choice questions and score well even when I don't know the material as well as my score reflects......but I didn't come close to perfect like they did.
They get full tuition, succeed in college, and what, no jobs! Locally, they all get turned down for manual labor work because they don't speak fluent Spanish, much to the chagrine of their parents.
After looking for work after a year after graduation, they try to settle for grueling manual labor jobs, but they are still repeatedly turned down because they are overqualified and not bilingual in spanish and english. Their parents get on their case, and one or two of them finally commits suicide.
Roosterboy
You sure know how to paint a picture, don't you...
Sounds as if someone didn't do well on his tests...lol.
Thats funny, I am going to college full time and have a pretty good job to pay for it. My wife just graduated and already has a decent paying job lined up. There are plenty of good jobs out there, its just half my competition can't do their own laundry.
It's your way of thinking that keeps you from becoming successful in life. Good job to those students and their parents!
No entiendo ingles. Por favor, repete en Espanol.
RoosterBoy dice que no puede leer o escribir....y es muy muy muy estupido.
Roosterboy - What a wonderful positive attitude on education and life. I sure hope you don't pass your strategy for inspiration on to your kids.
Gee....I scored extremely high on my SAT. Went to college, graduated with honors on a triple major, grabbed my MBA and now I am decidedly well off making very good money. I own 3 homes and have a wonderful family.
Sorry you ended up as such a loser Roosterboy. Perhaps if you had a better attitude you would have made it too.
Let's hope RoosterBoy does NOT have any children now OR in the future.
okay roosterboy... actually all three of these students are fluent in Latin and that is why the got perfect scores on the vocabulary section. Second, they are all in AP Calculus or higher, which if you can't put it together, means they are very advanced math students. Third, all of them are proceeding into AP English next year which accounts for their writing perfection.
Next, if you knew anything about anything, you would realize that Latin is the base for an amount of languages that you can't even count to:
1) Spanish.
2) Portuguese.
3) French.
4) Italian.
5) Romanian.
6) Catalán.
7) Sardo.
8) Corso.
9) Napolitano.
10) Occitan.
11) Siciliano.
12) Gallego.
13) Walloon.
14) Picard.
15) Norman.
16) Jèrriais or Jerseyano.
17) Guernsey.
18) Franco-Provençal.
19) Asturias.
20) Leon.
21) Mirandés.
22) Extremadura.
23) Aragones.
24) Mozarabic.
Or can you count to 24? I didn't think so. After they all graduate medical school they will easily find jobs. If you were a doctor (which obviously you are not) I'm sure your boss would fire you no matter what your senority is because any establishment would be lucky to have any of these three.
These three also have real lives. They are extremely productive and smart, but not at all nerdy. They spend their time so much wiser than you (who spends their time hating on children through a computer screen) They have already done more than you will ever do. Have you ever raised $4,000 for an animal shelter? (visit hatsforhomes.org) Have you ever made $4,000 at all? You seem like you haven't done anything in your life that you can be proud of (not to mention national news-worthy) so you try to boost your self esteem. Shame on you.
I am sure that the schools are good, but I can bet you what these kids all have in common is good parents who support their kids and have given them every opportunity they could by making sure that they did their homework, got them to sports and extracurricular activities.
Congrats to the parents for the good results of all their hard work!
Those are some smart kids. Good for them.
Cool kids: smart, well rounded, give back through volunteerism. Congrats to them, their parents, their mentors.
Well,practice makes perfect!
Hopefully, they weren't sitting next to each other. I got 2400 on my SAT's too. I had to take it twice....and use the addition method.
You had to take it twice to get 2400? MARVELOUS!
I believe the story....not so much F'inCrazy.
Great....but how exactly did that get you to a 2400 perfect score? The addition method is a fine tool for solving a system of equations on the math portion, but how did it assist you for multiple choice questions in the analysis of questions in the English, Reading Comprehension, and Science portions of the SAT?
I'm with tom, not buying it.
You don't understand sarcasm. Adding two low scores is kind of funny.
Oh good grief, he got 2400 by adding the scores of both tests. Do they have a test like the SAT for common sense?
LorraineH
He took the test once and scored 1200 and then took the same test again and scored another 1200. 1200+1200 = 2400. Comprende?
Glad to see someone finally got it. You people really need to brush up on your sarcasm
LOL you forgot to hit the sarcasm button! You should KNOW a good portion of people here actually believe what they read on the Internet!
i scored a perfect SAT. When i went to college they said good job. My boss said it doesnt matter in the real world and will never affect your salary. I still was not accepted into the school of my choice even though i aced the test, finished with a masters too, which really wasnt hard. you get a calculator and a couple hours, fill in the blank... So i aced my tests and a masters degree to work 12 hour shifts over night doing nothing related at all for what ive concentrated in for the last 15 years of my life. Apple certified, adobe certified, Certified for windows too, CAD, CNC, Networking, software development also can even program a robot to completely build a computer from scratch. Guess what, none of it matters cause i still dont use on a computer or even see one at work. 8 companies, all multi million dollar companies didnt care for any of it even though the positions were open, mind you i have a clean record also. Careful how hard you work!
This is a great accomplishment. It is so heartening to read of positive, productive, skilled Americans.
Great job and awesome accomplishment! You have a lot to be proud of. Wishing you much success in your future endeavors.
Thank goodness that some very smart, ambitious kids are still interested in medicine and not investment banking or law. There are still so many incurable diseases, in both humans and animals, that need the attention of the best minds. These kids are inspiring.
When it sounds to good to be true. It usually is. Although i would love for people to be this way. Now days You Can't trust Our believe Anyone. Perfect scores volunteering studying for years. That's what they said about Holmes guy and that elementary shooter. Sucks being negative but hey the truth hurts.
Great to see some kids that aren't glued to electronics 24/7!
Congrats to them....keep on keeping on!
Cheating Americans.
This must be what they call a troll....
Congratulations to them. Ignore the silly and cynical remarks here guys and continue to strive towards your dreams. You're our hope for a good future. Most of us are proud of you. Our country will stay on top with more like all of you.
It's so wonderful to read good news when most of what we read is about trials, tribulations, crimes and killing. These kids deserve a big High 5 for pursuing and accomplishing their goals, and yes, their parents certainly were willing participants in their education.
Visit your child's classroom next week, volunteer or join the PTA. Get involved in what they are learning and what they are being taught, and encourage your child/ren in every one of their worthwhile endeavors. Please pay attention to being a family, even if it's only two or three of you, because children learn and remember most about what happens at home, and don't forget to shower them with love.
I have lots of admiration for the dedication shown by these young people. However,scores on the SAT are not nearly as meaningful now as they were years ago. Students have tutorials, the PSAT, the opportunity to take the test numerous times, and, of course, the INTERNET. When I took it in the '60s, my 1450 was considered exceptional. It was a one-time, sit down for 3 hours, and WYSIWYG.
No offense to those taking it today, but they do have a lot going for them. And dedicating years to studying for that one test is not a realistic assessment of their future potential and likelihood of fulfilling it.
Best of luck to all serious college students.
I agree. I also took the SAT in the Sixties, and at that time there was literally NO SUCH THING as studying for it. Aside from the sample questions in the application booklet, you walked into that room and took the test COLD! I attended a small-town public high school where the third floor of the building was condemned and our textbooks often had our own parents' names in them. And my class had two students score 1600, and four more who scored 800 on one part or the other. As far as I'm concerned, "studying for years" to take the test totally cheapens the result. One thing their test didn't measure was "aptitude."
Gee, one million kids take the SAT a year, 360 get a perfect score.... no measure of aptitude there. (rolls eyes)
Amazing, the number of sour grapes comments. Guess a lot of older folks had to walk 10 miles to school, in the snow, up a hill - both ways.
I'm not that old -- even got to ride the bus most years. and it's not sour grapes. I graduated at the top of my class, obtained a degree in human development and certification to teach early childhood, and had the top score on the SAT. I was merely pointing out the differences in the way the test is administered now and the resources available to help students learn how to take the test. That and internet access should make a big difference in today's scores. Unfortunately, the education system, along with lack of parental involvement and other factors, has prevented many students from reaching their potential. And those who come from less than ideal environments will generally not score as well on standardized tests, unless they are exceptionally bright and highly motivated, as well as receiving the encouragement of teachers and other adults.
I got a perfect score on a standardized test (Not the SAT)...the only perfect score to that time in my state. They ran the test through multiple times to be sure...then offered me a full scholarship to West Point. Which I turned down. Still they tried to get me to join ROTC...to no avail.
But the attention was fun
But I had other plans for my life
I loved your comment about walking to school. I never used it on my offspring because as a kid, how would I have known the distance?But we did live in the country. In my older years, I once took said offspring to visit the old family farm, out of state. Just for kicks, they wanted to see how far we walked when the bus was missed. Which happened numerous times. It turned out to be more then you list! lol. And yes that included in the winter, up and down hills:-O.We always enjoyed the walks and missed school time! Snowball throwing included. Too bad about the sour comments.
Congratulations to these students, and I wish them much future success. As they continue to use their acquired skills for future goals, they should find great promising careers awaiting them. To be able to stay focused and apply diligence to reaching such goals, is a wonderful trait.
Procrastination has caused many an intelligent person to fail and waste the talents they have been blessed with.It isn't being a genius that makes one great, but being able to consistently apply oneself. Which these students demonstrated over years.
Fortune favors those who aren't afraid to work at something. It's 90% of work, with opportunity providing the 10%.Too often when opportunity knocks at the door, people are in bed sleeping.By the time they get up to answer, it has moved on. And those who who win the prize, do so by diligently working through the night by candle light, while their companions were sleeping.
Nerds!!!!!!!!!!!
Why is this national news? 6 kids from our school got perfect scores this year too. Doesn't that happen all over the US?
Public high school, or expensive prep school?
?
It is a Public School
@kate - just because your friends told you they got a perfect score doesn't mean they did.
Just because your are good at doing things on paper does not make you smart with hands on. I know some were like that. Good at written tests but dumber then a sack of hammers at practical.
The test is supposed to test your potential for doing college academics. Not welding or auto mechanics.
What's wrong with welders or auto mechanics?
Our society and, by extension, our economy, have a spot for almost everyone.
"The Upper Dublin High School juniors dedicated years, studying for this one test."
My public high school class had two double-perfects and four single-perfects, and NONE of us spent a single SECOND studying for the SAT. It simply wasn't done in those days. It's called a Scholastic Aptitude Test because it's supposed to test aptitude, not the ability to study for years.
When people study for an aptitude test it doesn't measure aptitude anymore.
Might measure the money you spent to take more study programs to get a better test score.
It's not called the Scholastic Aptitude Test anymore. ETS changed the "a" to "achievement."
Exactly!!!! PWD...I have met too many book smart and common sense dumb people in my life that these tests mean squat.
Don't try to rationalize your lack of achievement.
This is good publicity - for the Private, for-profit Princeton Testing company that Pushes one Unscientific Metric over all of higher education! Go USA!
The SAT is administered by the not-for-profit College Board.
Princeton Review is a for-profit company that provides test-preparation courses. It is debatable whether a crash course can prepare students for a test that measures analytical skills and knowledge accumulated over a long period of time.
I'm no fan of standardized tests because of the whole cottage industry that goes into teaching and prepping people to take them. The whole emphasis is on a number that means absolutely nothing. Bottom line on any kind of standardized test: if you come from the right kind of socio-economic background, and are coached frequently enough by someone who understands the nuances of the test well enough, the only way you will not put up eye-popping numbers is if you totally and completely do not give a rat's behind. The more familiar you are with how the test is worded, the bigger advantage you have. It's an inaccurate measure of intelligence and ability. It's no measure at all of what kind of motor the kid has and how the kid is going to deal with adversity; it's no measure at all of what someone is really made of.
I guess you didn't do that well on the SATs either.
I am amazed at the criticisms of those who have accomplished so much less in their lives and lived so much longer. Yes, studying can raise scores a bit, but harder at the high end. This does show ambition and motivation. I am not defending the test as an absolute measure. But, with grades, class rank, extracurricular activities, recommendations, college essays and interviews, a complete picture as practical is offered for colleges and predictive of life success.
These student have done very well on several criteria and are to be commended without qualification. It is startling how many adults posting criticisms here have clearly accomplished so much less, or their kids have accomplished so much less. Jealousy seems to have replaced hard work and success for many in the US. Trust and community replaced by paranoia and gun ownership. Intelligence replaced by the lower half of the bell shaped curve.
Fortunately, we have a very intelligent president, these kids for our future and flash in the pan adults like LaPierre, Bachman, Cantor, Palin and so many others beng found out as the mental midgets they are.
The toughest lesson these kids will have yo learn is living with those who do not think or reason well, yet do so loudly to exert destructive influence in our society. It is too bad there is a distrust and envy of intelligence currently in the US--though it does seem to be a passing phase.
Keep up the good efforts and achievements to you and so many deserving, accomplished students. We desperately need you to be accomplished adults.
Great job all of you!! Good luck in further schooling. Here is proof that Glen Singleton is an idiot and his concepts are just blather.
I hope they didn't cheat, But it does look that way.
Richard, since all of the test given at the same time are different (i.e, if you copy your neighbor you are going to circle in the wrong letter) I doubt it.
I have a friend who sat next to some guy who copied off her. She knew she had test version "A" and he was working with test version "D" so the chance of him scoring what she did were pretty low.
Really you can tell that from the article. Or is it you don't the way they look?