Only 23 students in the world have earned every point possible on the college-level Advanced Placement chemistry exam — among them is San Marino High School senior Kathy Jia.
Jia was recognized by the San Marino Unified School District Board of Education at the Sept. 26 meeting surrounded by her fellow Titan community.
“Kathy Jia’s extraordinary accomplishment in achieving a perfect score on the AP chemistry exam is a source of immense pride and inspiration for the San Marino High School community,” Superintendent Linda de la Torre said in a statement. “Her dedication to academic excellence exemplifies the spirit of curiosity and perseverance that we hope to instill in all our students.
“Kathy’s achievement not only showcases her remarkable abilities, but also reflects the outstanding education provided by our dedicated educators. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Kathy and have no doubt that her future is bound for greatness, leaving an indelible mark on our world.”
Jia holds a weighted 4.55 GPA and was named a National Merit Scholarship finalist. She attributes her high chemistry score to building her familiarity of the subject through her coursework last year, which helped ground her in understanding the various concepts offered in the exam. Additionally, Jia participated in the SMHS Caltech STEM Research course, where she analyzed data and performed calculations. As a member of the inorganic chemistry group, she said he had more exposure to the applications of chemistry. Jia also competed in the Science Olympiad, with some of the events being related to chemistry.
AP exams, taken in spring, are scored on a scale of 1 to 5. Many U.S. colleges grant credit and/or advanced placement, meaning the institution will let the student skip the equivalent course once they get to college for scores of 3 and above.
“Chemistry was my first exam of the year, and it was also an exam I felt more confident in,” Jia told the Tribune. “I expected a 5, but I don’t think anyone would be expecting a perfect score just because it is so rare. I was more nervous about the following exams, so I really just put myself out there for chemistry without much thought. … I felt pretty confident because the test was not as difficult as the unit tests we get in class. Like my classmates, I was happy to finish the exam, and that I had one less exam to take.”
Though Jia was at ease going into the AP chemistry exam, she said the opposite was true when she entered the spring semester. Uncertain of how she would perform academically and the challenges ahead of her, the news of earning the highest possible AP exam score made the feat more than just another grade to Jia — it was proof to herself that she fully understood the material, allowing her to shed any self-doubt she may have held onto since then.
“I felt nervous about what was to come, as I was taking chemistry and physics that same year,” she said. “This score definitely served as validation of my abilities.”
She has taken a total of six AP exams, including chemistry, and scored a 5 in all of them.
Jia said she’s grateful to belong to a community that values education and student success.
“I feel very honored and lucky to have this achievement,” she said. “My school and community are really supportive toward students, which has given me more confidence to immerse myself in concepts I am curious about. Teachers are happy to clarify and answer any questions I may have, and the students here also enjoy working together and supporting each other.”
Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement Program, said though AP coursework can be challenging for students, their success is all the more in reach when they have educators in their corner.
“AP courses and exams are college-level, requiring great focus and persistence among participating students,” Packer said in a statement. “We applaud the educators who encourage students to challenge themselves, who motivate and encourage diverse students to achieve their academic potential.
For those looking to follow in Jia’s footsteps in earning a top AP exam score, she stresses the importance of not falling behind when studying.
“A huge part of the preparation is keeping up with the course and content,” Jia said. “I would make sure to fully understand the concepts and clarify anything on the day it is taught so that I would not be cramming concepts the day before tests. I think this gradual and steady way of taking in material allowed me to not spend too much time outside of class studying as the knowledge stays throughout the year. … It is crucial to understand one concept completely before moving on, as concepts build on top of each other.”
Jia’s educational journey thus far has included math competitions, as well as conducting research and data analysis in mathematics. This is the field of study the senior aspires to pursue as a potential career path.
“I think this score is an example of me being able to apply my logical thinking and form connections in other domains,” Jia said. “I hope that this score will translate to a pleasant memory one day as I look back on high school.”
Board President Shelley Ryan said Jia should serve as a role model for other SMUSD students.
“Kathy Jia’s perfect score on the AP chemistry exam is a testament to her outstanding intellect, relentless dedication, and the unwavering support of our exceptional educators at San Marino High School,” Ryan said in a statement. “Her achievement not only showcases her remarkable abilities, but also reflects the commitment to academic excellence that defines our school community.
“We are incredibly proud of Kathy’s accomplishment, and it serves as a beacon of inspiration for all students. As Board president, I commend her on this extraordinary milestone, and I have no doubt that she will continue to shine brightly in all her future endeavors.”
First published in the Oct. 5 issue of the San Marino Tribune
