AMERICA | A 17-year-old boy named Sahli Negassi from New Jersey, has achieved a rare academic milestone by earning a perfect score of 1600 on the SAT.
His accomplishment places him among the less than 1% of students in the United States who have ever achieved this remarkable feat.
According to the College Board’s 2024 Annual Report, New Jersey had 77,320 SAT test-takers, including 7,947 Black students. Only 2% of these Black students scored between 1400 and 1600, making Sahli’s perfect score an extraordinary achievement.
Being a dedicated student and athlete, Sahli compared taking the SAT to preparing for a race.
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“When you’re on the line, you’ve already put in the work. Your body is as strong as it needs to be. At that point, the race is the easiest part. I went into the exam with that same mindset—just trusting myself,” he shared.
Sahli’s academic journey began at Mount Pleasant and St. Cloud elementary schools. Although he never attended preschool, he developed a strong foundation by reading his older siblings’ textbooks.
When he saw his perfect score, Sahli was in disbelief. “I walked out of my first-period class and immediately called my mom,” he recalled.
“I showed it to a classmate, but then I got nervous and joked that it was Photoshopped. Even now, it still doesn’t feel real. But more than anything, I was relieved—I had finally proven to myself that it was possible,” he added.
Sahli prepared for the SAT on his own, using free resources like Khan Academy and YouTube. His advanced coursework, including AP Language, U.S. History, and Calculus, also helped sharpen his skills.
Finding time to study was challenging, as he balanced SAT prep with AP exams and track competitions, but he persevered and succeeded.
“The hardest part was finding time. I studied whenever I could—at meals, during slow class periods, on bus rides. Taking it one question at a time was good enough,” he said.
Sahli first took the SAT in May 2024 and scored 1530. Determined to push further, he retook the exam in June 2025 and achieved a perfect 1600.
Beyond academics, Sahli is deeply involved in extracurricular activities. He is a cross-country and track athlete, president of the math team, and leads his school’s National Honor Society chapter.
He also plays varsity chess and performs with the Royal Strings ensemble. The Principal Oscar Guerrero of his high school, West Orange High School, praised Sahli’s achievements.
“Sahli represents the best of West Orange High School. His SAT score is incredible, but what’s just as impressive is how he excels in so many different areas,” Oscar said.
Looking ahead, Sahli hopes to attend Harvard University and pursue a career in either Law or Engineering. “Give me 10 years, and I’ll be out in the world doing something more important than a standardized test,” he said confidently.
Reflecting on his journey, Sahli offered advice to other students: “Be intentional. Know what you want for yourself, and throw your whole body at it.”
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