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8-Year-Old Boy Sets A-Level Maths Record

Posted by samzenpus on from the town-prodigy dept.

krou writes "The BBC is reporting that an 8-year-old boy, Zohaib Ahmed, from Hampshire, UK, has set a new record for the youngest person to ever sit and pass A-level maths with an A level grade. He scored 90% for the exam, and claimed his success was down to his parents. "My parents helped me out a lot. My dad taught me some maths and my mum sorted everything out. I couldn't have done it without them." More importantly for the /. community, the mother firmly believed in good planning, and gave them plenty of leisure time — to play computer games (and watch television)."

16 comments

  1. A-levels? by heironymous · · Score: 0, Redundant

    For us non-Europeans, could someone offer a little explanation of what A-levels are?

    1. Re:A-levels? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      hmm at a guess closest equivelent is a college qualification I'd say as GCSE's are counted towards college places in America at the same level as Highschool qualifications and they are a level lower than A'levels...

    2. Re:A-levels? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      European? I hadn't never heard of it before I looked it up. So it turned out to be more like UK / Commonwealth countries specific stuff: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Level_(UK)

    3. Re:A-levels? by dolphino · · Score: 2, Funny

      Individuals who pass the A-levels are rewarded with the use of a secret website that describes the world to them: Wikipedia

    4. Re:A-levels? by vawarayer · · Score: 1

      Individuals who pass the A-levels are rewarded with the use of a secret website that describes the world to them: Wikipedia

      Haaaaaaaaaa ha !

      I cheated !

    5. Re:A-levels? by Peter+Cooper · · Score: 3, Informative

      A Levels are a form of qualification that are typically earned after two years of study from age 16 to 18 (although they can be taken in later life, as necessary). Coupled with GCSEs (qualifications you receive when you finish high school at 16) they're the qualifications you use to apply to university.

      The key point is that (until some recent law changes) high school (or secondary school, as we tend to call it) finishes at age 16 in the UK. I left school at 16 and went straight out to work, for example. It gets a bit confusing though because I have no A Levels (having left school at 16) but I could probably get on to an undergraduate course as a "mature student" due to the experience I have in my fields.

    6. Re:A-levels? by Bloke+down+the+pub · · Score: 1

      2013 is recent?

      Can you tell me when the stock market will bottom out (or rather did bottom out, from when you're standing)?

      --
      It's true I tell you, feller at work's next door neighbour read it in the paper.
    7. Re:A-levels? by geekoid · · Score: 1

      Invest in Baltic DRI,
      Move to India in 2011.
      You will live like a king, until you die at the age of 147 in the arms of a 23 year old flight attendant.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    8. Re:A-levels? by Bloke+down+the+pub · · Score: 1

      but I could probably get on to an undergraduate course as a "mature student" due to the experience I have in my fields.

      Universities do degrees in being a thick pillock who doesn't know what year it is? Disgraceful. In my day, you had to go to a polytechnic for that.

      --
      It's true I tell you, feller at work's next door neighbour read it in the paper.
    9. Re:A-levels? by Peter+Cooper · · Score: 1

      You replied to this twice over the span of a week? People.. :)

    10. Re:A-levels? by Bloke+down+the+pub · · Score: 1

      s/people/kids today/

      Sometimes I bookmark posts to respond to; seems I sometimes forget that I already did. Shit, that makes it three!

      --
      It's true I tell you, feller at work's next door neighbour read it in the paper.
  2. What happens to these kids years later? by xgr3gx · · Score: 1

    I always see these child prodigies that can do amazing things at a very young age, like recite every state and capitol, identify every US president, or solve crazy math problems.
    I want to know, what are they doing now?
    Is there some loser 30 yr old guy out there who can't hold a job, living with his parents, but can still recite every state and capitol, or do these kids actually go on and do amazing things?

    --
    Shameless plug alert: Game server control panel
    1. Re:What happens to these kids years later? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They become qants and work for big investment banks...well maybe not anymore.

    2. Re:What happens to these kids years later? by geekoid · · Score: 1

      well, the move onto reciting every comic book character....

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    3. Re:What happens to these kids years later? by xgr3gx · · Score: 1

      Haha - nice :)

      --
      Shameless plug alert: Game server control panel
  3. Failure of the education system by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Where I went to school we only had one math.