Alan Black and Zachary Karmel, juniors at Christian Brothers High School, earned the highest possible ACT Composite score of 36 on the February 2019 test, becoming the seventh and eighth CBHS students to do so in the past three years. Nationally, while the actual number of students earning the top score varies from year to year, on average, less than one-tenth of 1% of students who take the ACT earns the top score. ACT test scores are accepted by all major US colleges. Exceptional scores of 36 provide colleges with evidence of student readiness for the academic rigors that lie ahead.
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 the optional ACT writing test, but the score for that test is reported separately and is not included within the ACT Composite score.
“Please join me in congratulating Alan and Zach for each achieving a perfect composite score of 36 on the ACT,” said Paula Mistretta, CBHS Director of College Counseling. “This demonstrates that hard work, dedication, and discipline pay off. And what a great testament to the students, parents, and CBHS faculty that we’ve had eight perfect ACT scores in the past three years. What an accomplishment!”
Alan is the son of Douglas Black of Memphis and Amy Black of Germantown. He attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School before entering CBHS in the ninth grade. Zach is the son of Douglas and Karen Karmel of Germantown. He is a graduate of Bornblum Jewish Community School.
