The dreaded SAT. The test that decides your future. Students prepare for months anticipating the day they are tested, then wait for weeks longer anticipating their results.

The national average test score is around the 1500 mark and many people strive to simply surpass it. Out of the thousands who attempt the test, less than 400 people a year receive a perfect 2400 score on the test. Achieving this goal is difficult, considered impossible to most, but Ashwin Rao a junior here at Carlsbad High school chose to defy these odds, joining the elusive 2400 club.

Rao currently has a 5.0 GPA, and is a participant in the Future Voters of America Club, speech and debate, and the varsity tennis team. But, even someone as accomplished as Rao was surprised about his results.

“The dream goal was to get a 2400, but I never actually expected to receive a perfect score, the original target was to get a 2300,” Rao said.

Rao took two stabs at the test, one in September and the second, perfect test, last December. Similar to other students, much preparation took place in the months before his first test.

“I took prep classes which took place three times a week,” Rao said, “I also took as many practice tests as I could find so I could get an idea about what questions were on the test and how to pace myself.”

Upon his first attempt at the test Rao received a 2200, a remarkable score, but to the young scholar it still was not enough, he knew he could achieve more.

“The month before the second test, I spent an hour after homework each night to review topics on the test,” Rao said, “And even though it took time away from things I wanted to do, in the end it was worth it.”

He credits this accomplishment to his family who have supported him throughout his life and hopes this perfect score will help him plan out his future.

“I am thinking about going into bio or nuclear engineering, and my dream school is MIT,”  Rao said, “I think with my test scores and motivation I will be able to fulfill my goals, despite how competitive they may be.”

Rao’s excellence will not go unnoticed as the application process for college begins, and with his work ethic and motivation the sky is the limit for this ingenious young man.