Newtown High School junior Kevin Reiss earned a top score on the American College Test (ACT), which he took in April. Kevin said he learned of his score about ten days after the test day.

"I was at school and my dad texted me," said Kevin.

Kevin had asked his father, Scott, to check his score online for him.

"He said '36, congrats.' I didn't believe him at first," said Kevin. His goal was to get a perfect score, and "there it was," he said.

Kevin explained the ACT has four different sections. The sections are averaged together.

"I did get a 35 in reading, but 36 in math, English, and science. And so it averaged to 36," said Kevin.

Kevin prepared for the ACT by taking practice tests for the science and reading sections at the NHS Guidance Department. His father also helped him take the practice tests by setting a timer while Kevin would go upstairs to study, he said.

Kevin said his mother, Cathy, encouraged him through the efforts.

In April, Kevin said he also took the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). He took the two tests within the same week, and he also did well on the SAT.

Learning in class also helped prepared Kevin for the ACT, he said, and for the SAT using Khan Academy online and different apps on his cellphone. Those preparations helped him for both the SAT and the ACT, he said.

According to a release about the ACT, on average, less than one-tenth of one percent of students who take the ACT earn a top score. In the high school graduating class of 2016, only 2,235 out of nearly 2.1 million US graduates who took the ACT earned a composite score of 36.

In a letter to Kevin recognizing this exceptional achievement, ACT Chief Executive Officer Marten Roorda said, "Your achievement on the ACT is significant and rare. While test scores are just one of multiple criteria that most colleges consider when making admission decisions, your exceptional ACT composite score should prove helpful as you pursue your education and career goals."

"Get a good night's sleep. Eat a good breakfast," Kevin said, when asked to share advice for other students preparing for the two tests. "Be relaxed. If you stress about it, then it is not going to go your way."