Sarah Schrader Earns Perfect Score on PSAT

Sarah Schrader (Warren ’11) has taken more than a few tests in her life.  Sure, there are the regular classroom assessments.  To become an Academy student, she even took the ACT as a high school sophomore.

As a student at the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky, she tests herself daily with challenging classes and research projects through the Chinese Language Flagship and HHMI National Genomics Research Initiative at Western Kentucky University.

Shortly after becoming an Academy student, though, there was just one test she had on her mind: the PSAT.

Along with her classmates in the Class of 2011—and over 3.5 millions peers nationwide—Schrader took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in fall 2009.

What makes Schrader’s story different is that she received a perfect score on the test.

The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and writing skills.  Each section is worth 80 points.  Schrader received a score of 240.

The good news came as a bit of a surprise.  When returning from an Academy field trip to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, she received a phone call from her father telling her that Mr. Gott, the Gatton Academy’s director, needed to speak to her “right now.”

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Schrader added. “I didn’t remember doing anything that would invoke such urgency, and wondered if maybe I was in trouble for something.”

She promptly telephoned Gott, who informed her that the PSAT scores had arrived. Gott, who couldn’t help but spoil the surprise, told Schrader she reached her goal.

“I was extremely excited,” Schrader said. “240 had been my goal, but I hadn’t been sure I could do it. Of course I was incredibly happy to have achieved it!”

Schrader believes familiarity with the test helped her performance.

“I didn’t really do a lot of prep,” she said.  “I took the test as a sophomore, and so I had a pretty good idea of what it would be like already.  I did go over the practice test and look at a few example problems and vocabulary words, but other than that I didn’t do much.  I felt like I should be doing more, but I guess it turned out fine!”

PSAT/NMSQT is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. It’s a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT^®. It also gives students  a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools.

The average score for a Gatton Academy Class of 2011 student was 189.  Twenty-four students scored 200 or higher on the exam.

In fall 2010, students will be notified if they achieved the status of National Merit Semifinalist.

For more information, contact Corey Alderdice at (270) 745-6565.

perfect score, PSAT, Sarah Schrader