DELACOMBE Primary School pupil Brendan McDougall didn't have time to study for the Australasian Schools Spelling Assessment.
But his love of reading John Grisham and Bryce Courtney novels has seen the grade six pupil achieve the highest mark in the state.
The 12-year-old was presented with a medal for his achievement in the inaugural assessment at the Carlton Crest Hotel last week.
"It was cool," Brendan said.
The youngster dreams of one day studying law and has taken the first step by winning an academic scholarship to Ballarat and Clarendon College next year.
In addition to his academic skills, Brendan swims competitively, plays badminton and football and competes in athletics.
Delacombe Primary School assistant principal Lyn Gordon said Brendan was an ambassador for the school.
"We're very proud of him and his achievements," Ms Gordon said.
Brendan said after sitting the assessment he thought he had performed "pretty well".
Conscientious was among the tougher words he had to spell in the assessment, which consisted of 60 questions.
Brendan was one of two Victorian grade six pupils who were presented with a medal.
More than 85,000 students from Australia and New Zealand took part in the assessment.