Cranbrook's Chayce Rodriguez-Gagnon Aces the ACT

Chayce Rodriguez-Gagnon

Age: 17

School: Cranbrook

Hometown: Bloomfield Hills 

Accomplishment: Rodriguez-Gagnon received a 36 on the ACT, the highest possible score on the a crucial standardized test used for college admissions. Though the number of perfect scores varies year to year, less than one-tenth of 1 percent of students that take the test earn a top score, according to ACT organizers. Among the high school graduating class of 2012, only 781 of more than 1.66 million could boast of accomplishment.

How does it feel to be recognized?: "It feels really great to have scored so high," he said. I took the ACT twice this year. The first time I took the test I expected to get at most a 32, but much to my surprise I scored a 35. Most of my friends told me not to take it again but I was so close to a perfect score I had to try once more."

What makes him successful?: "I definitely have to allot most of my success to the great education I receive at Cranbrook. I am very lucky to go to such a great school and my time there made a huge impact on my test scores."

Any advice for future test-takers?: "The two most important things you need to do well on the ACT are focus and confidence," Rodriguez-Gagnon said. "If you start to worry about questions that are too hard it will affect your answers on the rest of the test."

"If there is a question where you honestly do not know the answer (like a vocab question on a word you don't know) just pick a random answer, mark that question in your test booklet, and move on and forget about it."

As for preparation, Rodriguez-Gagnon said that it is much more important to know why the correct answer is correct, not just what it is. He suggested looking up what type of questions are asked on the test, for the English section, specifically, and said that the Sparknotes ACT prep was really helpful.

"For all the other sections, confidence and focus can go a really long way," he added.

Do you know our next Whiz Kid?

Birmingham Patch welcomes suggestions for students, youth groups and even sports teams who wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about amazing children and teens and select one each week as Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to editor Art.Aisner@patch.com. Please include all these details:

• Nominator's name
• Whiz Kid's name and age
• Whiz Kid's school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• What makes him or her successful