A Columbia high-school student earned a perfect score on the ACT the first time the state picked up the tab for the college-entrance exam.
Seventeen-year-old Alexander Harmata was one of about 65,000 Missouri high-school juniors who participated in the free testing day in April.
The Columbia Daily Tribune reports that the Hickman High School student paid out-of-pocket to take the test once before the free test day but fell short of perfection. He said he thinks the flawless score he earned the second time around is "definitely going to be helpful in the future."
ACT says less than one-tenth of 1 percent of students earn the top score. Missouri is offering one free administration of the exam and using the results to evaluate students' college and career readiness.
