Alumni Author:
Thomas H. Fischgrund (MBA ’80)
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What got you interested in SAT scores?
The son of a friend from HBS scored 1600 and I wondered, Who is this guy? I’ve always been fascinated by the best and the brightest.
What does it actually mean to score 1600?
It is the top score. There are 138 questions on the test. You can miss one or two and still score 1600.
What percentage of students score 1600?
Each year, 2.3 million kids take the test and 650 score 1600 — that’s .03 percent!
Tell us about the kids you interviewed.
The most distinguishing thing about these kids was their attitude and their habits — they were proactive and passionate. Their goal was not to ace the SATs but to succeed in life.
More specifically, in my sample of 160 students with perfect scores, 60 percent were male, more than half came from families with an income under $100,000, 80 percent went to public schools, 25 percent were Asian, and 90 percent came from two-parent households.
What are some of the surprising things about these kids?
They are multidimensional. I thought they would be very focused on academics or test-taking, but the exact opposite was true. They are curious and read everything they can get their hands on. Family and friends are more important to them than their studies.
What’s your advice to students preparing for the exam?
My short-term advice concerns three Rs: read, review [the test], relax. Long term: develop passions and pursue them.
What’s your advice to parents?
Be committed to your kids and engaged in their lives. Don’t just shuttle them to activities; have real conversations with them. Eat dinner together. Read to them when they’re young.
Are SAT scores an indicator of how students will perform in college or in life?
Yes. Students with higher SAT scores do better in college, particularly in their first year. I expect that the kids I interviewed will all be successful in their chosen careers. I plan to follow their progress over the years. Most of them are not presently interested in making a lot of money. They want to use their skills to have an impact on the world. Ninety percent plan to go to graduate school.
How did you score on the SAT?
I took the test in 1966 and scored in the 1300s.
What’s your next book?
I’m interviewing the parents of these kids to glean advice about raising well-rounded, high-achieving, happy children.
