Recognition Criteria
For 5th-6th graders
All 5th and 6th grade students who meet the requirements listed under Test Requirements and comply with the Terms & Conditions are eligible to participate and earn recognition in the Washington Search for Young Scholars.
For 7th-8th graders
All 7th and 8th grade students must register for and complete the ACT or SAT exam.
Invitations to the WSYS recognition ceremony for 7th and 8th grade students are based on ACT or SAT scores. Only students who meet WSYS criteria will be invited to the recognition ceremony; all other students will receive special certificates of participation. There are two levels of recognition possible for 7th and 8th grade students based on ACT or SAT scores: State Level and Grand Level.
State Level recognition is earned by WSYS 7th grade test-takers who score equal to or better than 50% of the 2006 college-bound high school seniors taking either the ACT or SAT. State Level recognition for 8th graders is earned with scores better than 65% of college-bound seniors.
Grand Level recognition for 7th graders is earned with scores equal to or higher than those of 92% of college-bound seniors. For 8th graders, Grand Level recognition is earned only by students scoring better than 96% of college-bound seniors.
Qualifying scores for the 2007 WSYS are as follows.
| State Level | Grand Level | |||
| 7th Grade | 8th Grade | 7th Grade | 8th Grade | |
| SAT I verbal | 510 | 550 | 670 | 710 |
| SAT I math | 520 | 570 | 690 | 720 |
| ACT English | 20 | 22 | 29 | 31 |
| ACT Math | 20 | 23 | 28 | 30 |
| ACT Reading | 21 | 24 | 30 | 33 |
| ACT Science | 21 | 22 | 27 | 29 |
State Level recognition is earned by WSYS seventh grade test-takers who scored equal or better than 50% of the 2005 college-bound high school seniors taking either the SAT I or ACT. State level recognition for eighth graders comes from scores equal or better than 65% of college-bound seniors. Grand level recognition for 7th graders means scores were equal or higher than those of 92% of college-bound seniors. For 8th graders, Grand level recognition is earned only by students scoring equal or better than 96% of college-bound seniors.