John Jay HS Senior Receives Perfect Score On AP U.S. History Exam

CROSS RIVER, NY — If you're stumped on a history trivia question and have the opportunity to "phone a friend," you could do worse than checking your contact list for this remarkable Hudson Valley high school senior.

Oliver Berke, who attends John Jay High School, earned all possible points on the Advanced Placement United States History exam — a feat achieved by only nine students on the planet this year, of whom at least two happen to be right here in the Hudson Valley.

SEE ALSO: Pearl River HS Senior Receives Perfect Score On AP U.S. History Exam

"Oliver is a truly standout student who has shown his hard work and genuine passion for history," said his AP United States History teacher Kaitlyn McCarthy. "Congratulations, Oliver! We are all so proud of your accomplishment!"

Berke took AP United States History in his junior year, following John Jay High School’s Social Studies sequence. This year, he is enjoying AP Macroeconomics, a social studies/economics class in which students apply their growing understanding of the principles of government to see how economics works in a society, and The World at War, an elective which focuses on the years between 1914 – 1945.

When asked how he studied for the AP United States History exam, Berke describes good study habits, including reviewing his class notes, reading notes and practice essays. "I love history," he said.

Colleges and universities worldwide receive AP scores for college credit, advanced placement and/or consideration in the admissions process.

"AP courses and exams are college-level, requiring great focus and persistence among participating students," according to Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement Program. "We applaud the educators who encourage students to challenge themselves, who motivate and encourage diverse students to achieve their academic potential."

The leaders of the Advanced Placement Program said they are committed to ensuring that students have access to the opportunities they have earned. Students who succeed in AP courses are not only more likely to succeed in college, but have the chance to save a significant amount of time and money by earning college credit or placement.

Find out more about AP courses here.