Local student scores perfect 800 on SATs
SWMHS junior, citing nervousness, didn’t
think he did that well
BY JOLENE HART
Staff Writer

Edward Fu

SAYREVILLE — For all the accounts of encumbering stress and fear that the SAT may invoke, there are those few tales of triumph, of those who come out unscathed and victorious from their encounter with the dreaded exam.

This year Edward Fu is leading that pack.

Fu, a 15-year-old Sayreville War Memorial High School junior, took five SAT I and SAT II tests in 2003 — and scored perfectly on every one of them.

"I actually didn’t think I did that well," he said. "I felt nervous, which I guess is normal."

Fu took the SAT I test in June and three SAT II subject tests — in American history, writing and math IIC — in November. To Fu’s surprise, he received a perfect score of 800 on each test.

According to the College Board, the organization that oversees the tests, of the 1,406,324 people who took the SAT I in the last year, the mean score was 507 on the verbal portion and 519 on the math portion. Only the top 2 percent of test-takers received scores in the 750 to 800 range.

Of those who took the SAT II tests — a series of specialized exams taken by fewer students — 24 percent scored between 750 and 800 on the math level IIC test, 7 percent scored between 750 and 800 on the American History test, and 9 percent scored between 750 and 800 on the English writing test, the tests on which Fu scored 800.

According to Fu, he did "some preparation" in the weeks before the tests, though he did not enroll in a test preparation course.

Fu said he is an "A student" and is involved in several academic organizations such as the math and chess clubs at SWMHS. Fu said he was able to advance quickly in mathematics and credited his father, Joe, with helping him progress. He is currently enrolled in an Advanced Placement calculus course.

Fu plans to attend college after high school, but has no idea what career path he will follow.

"Something that makes money," he said.

At the Dec. 16 meeting of the Board of Education, board members agreed to draw up a resolution to honor Fu’s achievement.

"I’ve spent many years in the business and I’ve never seen this," Superintendent of Schools Dennis Fyffe said. "This is truly an extraordinary achievement."

According to Fu, the College Board did not mark his accomplishment.

"They actually included a letter in with my results that said if I take the test again, I might improve my score," he said.