–with seven Grade One passes each

THE results of the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), written in May/June of this year, were released yesterday, and Queen’s College students Cecil Cox and Deowattie Narine emerged jointly as the most outstanding performers.

The Guyana Chronicle caught up with the top performers at this examination, and they all concurred that sacrifice and hard work are key components towards achieving success at the exams.

Cox secured Grade One passes in all seven of his CAPE Unit One subjects. He was unfortunately unavailable for comment on his success, as he is currently abroad on a scholarship programme.

The other top performer, Deowattie Narine, a former Bishops’ High School student who completed her two years of CAPE studies at QC, secured seven Grade One passes at her final sitting, two in Unit One and five in Unit Two.

She said, “I am very proud of my achievement. I attribute my success to my motivational teachers and parents, who have helped each step of the way. Also leading up to exams, a lot of determination, dedication and endless nights of studying and no sleep were also major factors which were necessary for me to pass these exams. To the students writing CAPE next year and in the future, I would just like to advise (them) to start studying early, be dedicated, and find a little recreational time; and most of all, practise good time management. Future plans, I am heading to UWI to pursue medicine, but in the future I would like to become an aerospace engineer and astrophysicist.”

The other three members of QC’s top five students are: Andy Sattan, who achieved six Grade One and one Grade Two passes. He said: “Leading up to the exam was a lot of hard work, some sleepless nights doing IAs and studying. Most of my work was group work, coming together in study groups with my family and so. I was hoping for the best (be)cause I worked for the best; and even though I got what I worked for, as any good results, it came as a surprise. I want to pursue Civil Engineering. Depends on what options present (themselves), I will decide on (my future); but I have applied for UG. CAPE is not an easy task; you need to keep working hard, stay focused and keep your prayers alive.

Also with six Grade One and one Grade Two passes was Prashant Shivdas. He said, “Leading up to the examination was a lot of studying and a

lot of preparation. I didn’t really think I would do this good, but I was hoping for the best. Without parents and teachers, I don’t think I could have gotten this far. I always wanted to study abroad, so that was my main drive to push. I want to pursue Civil Engineering. I would advice future students to study a lot. Don’t take the preparation for granted. Put your all into preparation.

Kaleshwar Singh also secured six Grade One and one Grade Two passes. He said, “I feel very elated, and I’m kind of surprised, because I didn’t feel I did so well this year, certainly not as well as I did last year. I did more subjects

though, and I think I did (well). It was a lot of last minute studying apart from the preparation. People say that (doesn’t) work, but that’s not totally true. I plan on going to UG, I have already applied. I will further my studies in engineering, Civil Engineering. I’m also a bit interested in Mechanical Engineering, so that would be my next move. The most I could say to students sitting next year is to study hard, do your work, don’t take much time to play and wait for last minute, like me. Complete all your internal assessments on time, and try to do as well as you can.”

This year, 798 candidates from nine senior secondary schools and three private centres participated in the exam. The overall pass rate of the examination improved to 85.07 per cent, with no unit recording a pass rate that was below 50 per cent.

(By Ravin Singh)