An Islip High School senior has earned a perfect score on the SAT, improving from a 1510 on his first attempt to a 1600 the second time around.

Connor Ancipink said his achievement came down to hard work and perseverance. After his initial score, he went back to studying, taking multiple practice tests, and carefully reviewing every question he missed to improve both speed and accuracy.

“I did it because I wanted to do better for myself,” Ancipink said. “Also, if you looked at what people get, some of the colleges I was applying to, a 1510 would have been below average.”

While he said he was not expecting a perfect score, Ancipink said he is proud that his effort paid off.

Dr. Lara Gonzalez said the entire school community is celebrating his accomplishment.

“I have all the confidence in his ability to be successful wherever he goes next year,” Gonzalez said. Teachers say Ancipink stands out not only for his academic ability but also for his determination.

“What truly distinguishes him, however, is not only his talent but his relentless drive and motivation. He consistently seeks additional challenges, pushes beyond the standard curriculum, and refuses to settle for surface-level understanding,” math teacher Michael Pace said.

AP Statistics teacher Beth Colombo described him as a natural talent who asks thought-provoking questions that challenge classmates to think more critically. She added that beyond the classroom, he independently studies advanced math topics, demonstrating a rare combination of initiative and a genuine love of learning.

Ancipink has not yet committed to a college, but he plans to study mathematics and hopes to become a mathematician.