The second and third students in the state to get perfect scores on their math SAT exam through the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth program through are both Nashua students – and sisters.

Ankita Devasia became the third New Hampshire student in the program to score a perfect 800 on the math section of her SAT exam when she tested as a 7th grade student in June. Ankita didn’t have any secret strategies for success, relying instead on typical study methods.

“I mostly just familiarize myself with the types of problems to be confident on test day,” she said. Ankita has been invited to join Study of Exceptional Talent, an initiative through John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth that connects high-achieving students with peers and resources in their communities.

The last person to accomplish a perfect SAT math score through the program was Ankita’s older sister, Nisha, in 2011.

Ankita said she asked Nisha for help preparing for the test. “She’s been a role model for me,” said Ankita. Nisha laughed and said, “It sounds like you’re being sarcastic.”

Their mother, Julie, confirmed Nisha’s success has been a positive motivator versus a source of pressure for Ankita.

Nisha has kept busy since her record-setting SAT exam in 7th grade, breaking another record for successfully completing an unprecedented number of AP exams by the end of her freshman year. She received the AP Scholar with Distinction award in 9th grade, having completed six AP courses by the end of spring semester.

Nisha also scored a perfect five on each exam, except for the history AP test, where she said she fell just short of a five. Each AP exam scoring a three or higher translates into college credit students can add to their transcripts.

Both students said they have been well supported by their school district. Ankita, who is currently in 8th grade at Fairgrounds Middle School, has had help from Assistant Principal Sharon Coffey. Coffey helped Ankita take courses independently to help challenge her.

“The school district made it really easy to do independent study,” said Nisha, a sophomore an Nashua High School South.

She gets asked often if she thinks she’ll run out of courses to challenge her in school.

“I’m not really worried. There’s always courses to take,” she said. Nisha plans to take college-level math next year, hopefully at UMass Lowell.

Despite the rigorous academics, Nisha and Ankita still have time for hobbies. Nisha said she likes to unwind by playing video games, and both of them play violin. Ankita also takes Japanese classes on Saturdays in Boston.

“I really started getting interested in it last year in March,” she said. Ankita’s family promised to visit Japan for her 16th birthday. “I definitely want to see Kyoto and Tokyo…and Akihabara,” she said. Akihabara is a district in central Tokyo known for its “diehard fan” culture, with many shops devoted to anime and manga. “I like a lot of the culture, I got into it by watching anime,” she said.

Ankita said their success is a credit to their mother.

“It’s all thanks to our mom, she’s been our biggest supporter,” she said. “She always has faith in us.”

Tina Forbes can be reached at
594-6402 or tforbes@nashua
telegraph.com. Also, follow Forbes on Twitter (@Telegraph_TinaF).