MSU student registers perfect American College Test score

Kevin Etheridge, formerly of Natchez and now of Laurel, also appears to be the first student at the university whose overall score is a top-end 36.

The test, which takes about three hours to complete, came into widespread university use in the 1960s. Four measurement areas—English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning—are covered and scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly.

Etheridge, a 1994 graduate of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus, is a Hearin-Hess Engineering Scholar and a mechanical engineering major. The 18-year-old attended Natchez High School through the 10th grade before transferring to the MSMS when his family moved to Jones County.

According to information provided by the Iowa City, Iowa-based testing agency, Etheridge is among only 36 nationally who made the perfect composite score during the 1994 fall entrance period. Nearly 900,000 college-bound students took the test during this time, a spokesman with the research services department added.

Jerry Inmon, head of Mississippi State's admissions office since 1972, said a search of the records indicates Etheridge's score to be a university first. He noted that 1989 changes in the ACT scoring process raised the top composite score possible from 35 to 36.

Whatever the number, Inmon said, "We've never had a perfect score before."

Etheridge is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James G. Etheridge. His father is a 1970 Mississippi State graduate.