Magnet Cove student scores perfect 36 on first ACT attempt
MAGNET COVE, Ark. – Whether playing an instrument or taking a test, Gavin Marsh is never unprepared, except for the news that he made a perfect score on the ACT.
“I’m still having a hard time understanding how rare this is,” Marsh said.
Little Rock high school student gets perfect score on the ACT
Only 0.18% of the 1,386,335 students taking the ACT in 2023 achieved the highest score, and Marsh did it on his first try.
“The way that he just processes information is phenomenal because he just gets it,” Magnet Cove High School teacher Tommy Green said.
As much as his teachers credit him, Gavin gives that much credit back for pushing him to take the toughest classes.
He said all his prep time was inside the classroom, but he also got motivation from his biggest fan, his mother Dana Cooper.
“I told him he was going to make a 36,” Cooper said.
Arkansas homeschool robotics team scores world championship slot
And when that came true, Marsh said she started leaping all over the house.
“I took the hands of my younger two kids and we started jumping in a circle for about 30 seconds,” Cooper said.
Since then, Gavin has become a bit of a small-town celebrity as he is the first in the Magnet Cove School District to ever score a 36. Magnet Cove School District said they emphasized teaching testing techniques this year, and this validated it. So did their district’s average ACT score of 19.8 which is higher than the state and national average.
Gavin still has a full year of school left and hopes to pursue music in college. He has not gotten any college offers or scholarships since receiving his score but that will likely change soon.
Little Rock eStem graduate overcomes challenges, attending Harvard this fall
“Everyone just blew me away with all the support support I’ve gotten so far, and it means a lot to me,” Marsh said.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
