Columbus North High School sophomore Brennan Boatwright earned a score on the ACT college entrance exam that most students can only dream about.
Boatwright received a perfect composite score of 36 when he took the test last September. That perfect score is achieved, on average, by only about 1/10th of 1 percent of students who take the exam each year, ACT representatives said.
He showed intellectual talent at an early age, according to his father. “He was what they call hyperlexic. He learned to read really young,” David Boatwright said. “He was writing words and reading books remarkably early.”
As he got older, Brennan Boatwright also showed a strong aptitude in mathematics, which he said is his favorite subject.
“It (math) can be difficult at times. That’s what I like about it,” he said. “It’s a highly logical system of rules and guidelines that you can expand on.”
David Boatwright said that his son’s aptitude for math is one that he continues to develop.
Brennan Boatwright took second year calculus as a sophomore in high school, considered to be college-level coursework, his father said.
While it is typical for high school students to wait and take their standardized tests during their junior or senior years, Boatwright’s parents encouraged their son to sign up early so that he would have time to retake the exam if necessary.
Although they were confident in his abilities, they worried that nerves would get the best of him his first time taking the test, his mother Bonnie Boatwright said.
“We expected that he could either have some anxiety and it not go well, or he could do really well,” she said. “That’s why we had him take it as a sophomore, to practice, get him familiar with the process.”
The ACT consists of four sections covering English, reading, mathematics and science. The average of these four tests make up a student’s composite score.
An ACT English Test contains 75 questions to be answered in 45 minutes. An ACT Mathematics Test contains 60 questions to be answered in 60 minutes.
Prior to testing day, Boatwright used ACT preparation books to familiarize himself with the exam format and subjects.
“We just did these little worksheets every week or day or so,” he said.
As he walked into Columbus East High School to take the test, Boatwright said he felt at ease. He predicted a score in the 30s for himself, maybe slightly above average.
“I was just expecting to do OK,” he said. “When I did the exam, I felt fine about it. But I didn’t expect to get a 36.”
Last year, 24,878 Indiana students graduated high school after taking the ACT. Of those students, only 34 got the highest possible score.
Most receive a 22.6, which was the average composite score for 2017 Indiana graduates, according to ACT statistics.
About two weeks after completing the test, Boatwright received a call from ACT representatives. His results were far above the state average.
“I didn’t know what to think at all,” he said.
Scores are normally posted online, but due to his exceptional performance, he was personally congratulated prior to their posting.
Bonnie Boatwright said that although she and her husband expected a high score from their son, they were shocked to learn that he had earned a 36.
“We just couldn’t believe it,” she said. “He always surprises us.”
When he is not in school, Brennan Boatwright enjoys biking and running. He is on the Columbus North robotics team and plays in the bell choir at First Presbyterian Church.
Although he still has two years of high school left, he is already looking to the future. After graduation, he said he hopes to study a STEM subject, possibly theoretical mathematics, and has been looking into universities including one in his home state — Purdue.
The ACT may cover a wide range of subjects, but math is what he hopes to pursue as a career, he said.
Colleges have already been in contact with him, he said.
“We’re just really proud of him and excited for him,” his mother said said.
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ACT provides a set of test questions for students to try before taking the actual test. To take a look, visit:
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