Downers Grove South Student Gets Perfect ACT Score

A Downers Grove South student scored a perfect 36 on a recent ACT score. 

Samarth Malhotra is a junior at South High School. To prepare for the standardized test, he took the practice ACT 21 times to prepare, read books about testing strategies and registered for a Kaplan study course. 

“There are really just two keys to taking the ACT: familiarity and relaxation,” Malhotra said. “Students who are super-stressed don’t do as well. You need to be relaxed, and then you’ll get your best score.”

Among the 1.6 million test takers in the high school graduating class of 2011, only 704 students, or fewer than one-tenth of one percent, earned a composite score of 36.

Malhotra said he would like to major in economics or accounting and go on to earn an M.B.A.

He plays tennis for DGS and is the school president and state vice president of DECA, an organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Malhotra is also a member of the math and chess teams, president of the school National Honor Society and a mentor to school freshmen.

“Samarth is an outstanding student, but more importantly, he’s a well-rounded and grounded one, and serves as an excellent role model for other students,” said Principal Steve Bild. “We congratulate Samarth on his outstanding achievement.”