Star Staff Reports
The best a student can score on the ACT is a 36.
Jace Nelson, a senior at Munford High School, has achieved a perfect score of 36 on the ACT.
He has also recently been named a National Merit Semifinalist in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program.
According to ACT research, only one-fourth of 1% of students who take the test nationwide earn a perfect score of 36. Less than one percent of all U.S. high school seniors are given the title National Merit Semifinalist from the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Achieving one of these accomplishments is quite rare, and achieving both is extremely rare. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, Nelson was chosen as a semifinalist based on his qualifying test scores, his academic record throughout high school, his participation in school and community activities, his demonstrated leadership abilities, and his honors and awards received.
A perfect score on the ACT is earned with skill and preparation.
“Earning a perfect score on the ACT is a remarkable achievement. Jace is only the 2 nd student in our history at MHS to earn such distinction,” said Principal Dr. Courtney Fee. “He has worked incredibly hard to achieve the score. We also want to give credit to the teachers who helped him along the way, and his parents who supported him since day one.”
Nelson’s experiences include participation in Munford High’s highly competitive Band program, the nationally-recognized Munford FFA program, and Music City Drum and Bugle Corps, among many other organizations.
“I’m really a normal kid—this was just a goal I’ve had for a long time. Anybody else can do it too,” a humbled Nelson said. He is still undecided on which college to attend, but has narrowed his choices to Purdue University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
Nelson’s advice to someone wanting to achieve the perfect score, “it just takes time and knowing what you want. Study hard, and don’t give up.”
