North Allegheny senior earns perfection on worldwide AP exam

North Allegheny senior Ethan James achieved rare perfection on a worldwide test.

James, 18, of McCandless, was informed recently by the College Board that he received a top score of 5 on the Advanced Placement Computer Science “A” exam last May.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” said James, who plans to study computer science or chemical engineering at Michigan State. “I know that I spent the entire time period of the test completing and checking over my work.

“I felt pretty confident about the material. I made sure to keep calm and avoid rushing through any question.”

North Allegheny AP Computer Science teacher Laura Prosser said James is the first student in her 12 years as a computer science teacher to achieve a perfect score on the test.

“Ethan is incredibly hardworking and humble,” Prosser said. “He is not only academically talented, but regularly donates his time to help teach CS workshops to younger students.

“I am so proud of him and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to teach him.”

College Board spokeswoman Jaslee Carayol said James was one of only 193 students to earn every point possible on the difficult assessment. She said 65,405 students took the test.

The exam lasts three hours and and has two sections, multiple choice and free response. An exam practice is provided.

James, a U.S. Presidential Scholars Program candidate, said computer science and organic chemistry are his favorite subjects.

James also excels athletically.

He was a starter on the North Allegheny boys cross country team that swept WPIAL and PIAA Class AAA titles last fall, and helped the Tiger track team to the Section 3-AAA crown this spring. He said he was looking forward to the track postseason, which began April 30 with the WPIAL team semifinals.