Boy aces IGCSE exam
Nine-year-old bags A grade in O-level maths test equivalent
HE MAY be only nine, but Ezra Koh has already bagged an A grade in the international equivalent of the Olevel maths exam.
“When I went for the exam, the boy next to me asked me how old I was. His jaw dropped when I told him,” said Ezra, who was just eight when he sat for the exam in November. He received the results last month.
The Straits Times reported in 2010 that a growing number of children in Singapore are sitting for the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams before the recommended age.
The IGCSE is an internationally recognised British qualification, equivalent to the O levels.
It is usually taken by students aged between 14 and 16.
“I’ve always liked maths and I wanted to see how good I was,” said Ezra, who will turn 10 in December and is preparing for the IGCSE additional maths exam in June.
He is home-schooled, and his parents Arthur Koh and Priscilla Lee, both 36, said he would not have developed at such a pace otherwise. “‘Home-schooling is not for every family, but it is good for my children,” said Koh, a real estate agent.
At four, Ezra could multiply and read at the level of a 10-year-old.
“Because he was well ahead, we thought he would have difficulty fitting in. Home-schooling became a natural choice,” he added.
The couple followed suit with their younger sons – Titus, eight, and Samuel, four – as they wanted them to develop at a comfortable pace and have time to enjoy their childhood.
Titus will follow in his brother’s footsteps and take the IGCSE maths exam next year.
The three boys follow a daily timetable which includes English, maths, science, Chinese, history and enrichment activities such as mental arithmetic lessons under the close watch of their mother, a former maths teacher at Hwa Chong Institution.
Any child granted exemption from compulsory education to be homeschooled has to attempt the Primary School Leaving Examination in four subjects at standard level.
They must sit for the exam again the following year if they do not meet the benchmark.
Ezra spoke animatedly about learning, and his hobbies such as swimming, table tennis and playing the piano.
“I was quite prepared for the examination. The questions were all familiar,” said Ezra, who did 20 practice papers.
Other factors influenced the couple’s decision to keep the children at home, with one of them being the importance of religion. They are devout Christians. “Character is more important than academics. Family worship time is where we teach the children the importance of good values,” said Koh.
The couple hope to prepare Ezra for the entire O-levels by 13, and the A-levels by 15. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network