While many high school seniors await their college entrance exam results with anticipation, Fishers High School student Parker Melling recently received news that his hard work had earned him a place among the academic elite: a perfect ACT score of 36.

Parker, a dedicated student and senior, wasn’t entirely surprised by his achievement. “I made sure to study hard, took a few practice tests, and focused on the areas I wasn’t as strong in,” he shared. “I thought I did pretty well since I had taken the ACT before and was just shy of a perfect score. This time, I really went for it.” His efforts and determination clearly paid off, as his performance placed him in the top 0.25% of test-takers nationwide.

The ACT exam, designed to measure proficiency in English, mathematics, reading, and science, awards scores on a scale of 1–36 in each section, with a perfect composite score representing an average of 36 across all four tests. Achieving this score reflects Parker’s comprehensive mastery of the skills needed to excel in college-level coursework.

With ambitions set high, Parker has his sights on MIT as his top choice for college, with Stanford as a close second. He plans to pursue a double major in Aerospace Engineering and Computer Science—two fields in which he hopes to make a meaningful impact.

For other students aiming for success on the ACT, Parker’s advice is straightforward: “Make the most of all the free resources out there—prep courses, practice tests, and stay consistent with your studying. It really makes a difference.”