Perfect Score on SAT Shocks Van Nuys Boy

If the state Legislature isn’t your first example of a brain trust, give Van Nuys’ Stephen Friedman some time.

The junior at Monroe High School in North Hills recently scored a perfect 1,600 on the Scholastic Assessment Test, the placement exam used by most colleges and universities across the country. He hasn’t chosen a college yet, but already plans to major in political science.

Stephen was one of 15 to 30 students who aced the nationwide exam--out of the millions who took it this year, according to the firm that administers the test.

San Fernando Valley students Jennifer Koo of Van Nuys High School and Dale Shuger of El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills also achieved perfect scores.

“I was shocked,” said Stephen, 17, of his perfect score. “I knew I had done well, but I didn’t know that I hadn’t missed any.”

He said a class visit to Sacramento in April has interested him in politics.

“It seemed like a lot of fun and I like the idea of making a difference,” Stephen said.

Steve Kleinberg, a college counselor at Monroe, is confident that Stephen will top several scholarship lists when he does choose a college.

“I would think he’s going to have a pretty good choice of schools next year,” said Kleinberg. “I think the big thing of where he goes will be what the schools offer him.”

Stephen answered the practice questions provided by the SAT information booklet, but said he didn’t cram for the actual test.

“I just took it and did well,” said Stephen, who still sounds amazed by his score.

But he simply may not have had time to cram.

Stephen is active in several of Monroe High’s extracurricular programs, including academic decathlon and mock trial.

Earlier this year, he founded a campus Free Thinkers Society--a club that meets during lunchtime to discuss philosophical issues.

He acted as the master of ceremonies for an awards ceremony Wednesday evening and plans to give blood today. He also is scheduled this weekend to take a supplemental SAT exam that covers writing, mathematics and American history--a test he signed up for before discovering his perfect score.

“I think I’m going to go over my notes for the history part,” Stephen said.

He paused, remembering his perfect score. “Or maybe not.”