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Fargo, N.D. (AP) A Fargo South High School senior this coming fall achieved a perfect score of 36 on the ACT college entrance exam.

Seventeen-year-old Matthew Budke says he was stunned when he learned the results. He says it's given him bragging rights with friends.

The average ACT score in 2008 for both North Dakota and the nation was about 21. The most recent data available shows that about one in 3,300 students get a perfect score on the test.

Information from: The Forum, http://www.in-forum.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-06-09 0841CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list