According to a report released Tuesday, Nebraska high school students are outperforming the rest of the nation when it comes to ACT and SAT scores.

So what's the secret to their success?

With the average ACT score a full point higher and sat scores outpacing the national average, Nebraska high school students certainly have something to brag about.

But educators and students agree, the high scores come from a lot of hard work.

For those taking the ACT or SAT, Lincoln High Senior Nina Pickrell says the answer is all of the above.

"It made me a bit nervous I was trying my hardest to get through it, but I guess that paid off," Pickrell said. 

Paid off is right. Scoring a near perfect score of 32 out of 36, Nina scored higher than 99 percent of students who take the test nationally.

But she's not the only one scoring well.   Figures released by the college board show Nebraska students are outperforming the nation in ACT and SAT scores.

"We really encourage them to take AP classes to take harder classes to build their rigor over the 4 years they are here so that when they are ready to take the ACT or SAT they are really prepared. They've taken the hard classes, the core classes, John Heineman, AP Class Coordinator said. 

All Lincoln Public Schools offer advanced placement classes.

In fact, Pickrell says taking 3 AP classes and keeping her nose to the grindstone was what helped her land a 32 on her first try.

"Study...its not something you can really cram for.," Pickrell said.

Something interesting to note...Nebraska students scored higher in all 3, reading, writing and math, components of the SAT exam.