Jacob Warner is the first student at Baldwin County Virtual School (BCVS) to earn a perfect score of 36 on the ACT.

According to a social post from Baldwin County Public Schools, Warner is "very involved in his community" and he enjoys taking part in dual enrollment programs and extracurricular activities in school. He has been a BCVS student since the seventh grade.

Warner said he was not expecting a score this high. This was his second time taking the ACT. He expected to earn the same score, a 35, or "even a 34, but not a 36."

"When I saw the 36, I was blown away," he said. "… My jaw dropped, and I was speechless. I silently handed the phone to my mom, a beaming smile on my face."

Not much practicing or studying went into retaking the ACT, Warner said, as he wasn't trying to earn a better score. He did, however, reviewed his wrong answers from his first ACT test and took practice tests on the ACT website. He also reviewed his math notes the night before the test.

Warner's suggestion to others striving to achieve a good score on the ACT is to find "whatever strategy works best for you and go with it." He mentioned how the "best method" for one person doesn't always apply to everyone.

He suggested practicing calming techniques as "stress clouds judgement." He said, "positivity and self-confidence are your best friends."

"Honestly, though, the best advice I have for another student is this: pay attention in school every day," Warner said. "Pay attention to patterns, rules and common trends in what you're being taught and investigate beyond the bare minimum.

He went on to say, "If the ACT tested the knowledge you accumulated in the few months before the test, it would not be nearly as important; this test is a measure of what you've learned every day of your life, so learning every day is the best way to prepare for the test."

Outside of learning every day, he suggested using the ACT practice tests and searching for explanations for incorrect answers. He said knowing the difference between specific answers can help you choose the correct answer.

After high school, Warner plans to pursue electrical engineering with an emphasis on nanotechnology and sustainable energy.

"I'm not entirely sure which college I will matriculate to, but my top choices right now are the University of Illinois, the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Texas," said Warner. "After college, I want to work in sustainable energy, perhaps improving electric vehicles or the methods of producing clean energy."