THE air was filled with excitement and relief as the top performers of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) received their preliminary results, on Tuesday.
For many of these students, the countless hours of study, late nights, and determination had finally paid off. The young scholars, are now basking in the joy of their achievements, while eagerly looking forward to the bright futures that lie ahead.
Among the celebrated achievers is Queen’s College’s Aniya Couchman, who has emerged as the top performer, securing the highest number of Grade One passes at CAPE.

For 19-year-old Couchman, her academic journey has been challenging yet fulfilling. “I feel very happy to know that all my hard work paid off. I mean, I was very nervous for these results, but it’s good to know that the culmination of all my hard work led up to this,” she said.
She now has plans to pursue studies in computer engineering at a top overseas university.

In the 2022 CSEC examinations, Couchman placed 17th nationally and secured the top six ranking at her school, making her one of the nation’s best performers.
Meanwhile, Dave Chowtie of Queen’s College is among the three males who secured the most Grade One passes at CSEC, distinguishing himself as a high achiever.
He wrote 29 subjects and received 23 Grade One passes and six Grade Twos. He has a passion for the sciences and envisions a future in medicine, as he intends to become a neurosurgeon.
The young man shared his preparation strategy for the examinations.

“I firstly prepared by deciding that I wanted to write 29 subjects. Then my teachers helped me to get my School Based Assessments (SBAs) out of the way early so that I had a lot of time to study. But I did experience challenges. The morning for some exams, I found myself studying for those exams. I had my friends… we all worked together during this time.”

In 2019, Chowtie shared the top position with a girl at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). Pradesh Dwarka of the Anna Regina Secondary School is equally elated about his achievement.
Dwarka wrote 26 CSEC subjects and attained 23 Grade Ones and three Grade Two passes. He discussed the extensive preparation for the examinations, starting from Grade Nine.
He expressed: “I worked really hard and ensured that I did everything that I’m supposed to do. I want to become a civil engineer. I have a love for infrastructure. So, I really want to become a good asset not only to my family but even to the country. I want to devote my skills and ability to it…” “Work hard” is his advice to the young generation. Dwarka was the second-best performing student in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) at the 2019 NGSA.

Queen’s College girl, Gabriella De Santos, wrote 21 CSEC subjects. She copped 14 Grades Ones, six Grades Twos and a Grade Three. She said she was expecting better grades and that in order to choose a career route, she would be going back to QC to pursue CAPE. “I feel pretty good although I was hoping for more. But I can accept it; I’m quite happy about it,” the teen shared.

Her advice for students preparing for important exams is to “study early.” She said: “Study early because I did not do that. I studied most subjects the night before and there were a lot of tears, a lot panicking. My parents had to calm me down so many nights. I did not sleep at all. So, just take my advice and study early because if you study early, you’ll do very well.
Dhruv Singh of Fraser’s Academy wrote 16 CSEC subjects and secured 14 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos. He believes that his experience of managing multiple subjects has prepared him for the challenges of higher education, and he is eager to take on the next phase of his academic journey. He, however, stressed the need for balancing academics and other activities.

“Not to focus too much on studying all the time. Enjoy yourself once a while. Refresh your mind and do something fun. Keep your balance and focus on your work as well.”
Saraswati Vidya Niketa’s Dhanpal Singh is heading to the University of Guyana to study petroleum engineering. With 15 Grades Ones and four Grade Two passes at CSEC, he is elated at his achievements. “It was a lot of hard work to get those results,” Singh stated.
Their success in CSEC and CAPE is just the beginning of what promises to be a journey filled with opportunities, growth, and the potential to make meaningful contributions to society.