QC dominates 2016 CAPE top spots

By Vahnu Manickchand

Queen’s College dominated the top spots at the 2016 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), with a second year student securing the top spot.

This year’s results were revealed on Wednesday at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) Building in Kingston, Georgetown.
According to the results analysis, the overall pass rate in the 2016 CAPE was 86.74 per cent which is a marginal decrease from the 87.54 per cent recorded last year. However, there was an increase in the number of candidates securing Grade One and Two passes.
A total of 898 candidates sat the CAPE examinations this year, writing a total of 57 units in 29 subject areas. The gender distribution of the overall pass rate is 33.4 per cent males and 66.6 per cent females.
Of the total number of candidates; 478 of them secured Grade Ones, 746 Grade Twos, 860 Grade Threes, 689 Grade Fours, and 535 obtained Grade Fives.

It was noted that the candidates obtained a 100 per cent pass rate in only 20 of the units, while the pass rate of candidates was 75 per cent or higher in 30 units.
Among the top performers at this year’s CAPE exams were five Queen’s College students and one from the Bishops’ High School. With the exception of one, they secured Grade Ones in six units.
The exception being Deenauth Mohabeer, a second year student of QC, who wrote seven subjects, obtaining six Grade Ones and one Grade Two.
Speaking with Guyana Times, the ecstatic young man expressed that he felt accomplished, elaborating that this feeling was due to how hard he worked to prepare for his examinations and the discipline he showed.
The aspiring computer engineer praised the foundation he received from his five years at Central High School, noting that this allowed him to excel. “My accomplishment for this year is only half done,” he remarked, while adding that he is hoping to secure a scholarship to pursue artificial intelligence studies.
Meanwhile, first year QC topper Ashley Anthony was elated with her results, crediting her teachers, family and friends for supporting her. She explained that CAPE was much more intense and demanding than the CSEC examinations; as such, excelling required a lot of effort.
Her advice to students now preparing to write the CAPE exams is to prepare well. “There is no one right way to study and it is important for you to figure out what works for you,” said the young woman who will be returning to QC for CAPE second year, after which she will continue to university to “possibly” study biophysics.
Joash Gobin, also a QC first year student, could not be reached for an interview; however, in a post on his social media – facebook – account he thanked the Almighty, his parents and friends, as well as teachers, whom he said were his support pillars. He noted that in preparing for the exams, he experienced some of his “longest days” yet.
In addition, his fellow schoolmate, Larissa Wiltshire, another second year CAPE student at QC, expressed how happy she was to receive her results. She said she owes her success to studying and her unwavering focus.
“To future students, I advise that they do subjects that they love so that it is not a burden and that they remain focused but still keep their composure and try to have some fun some times,” said the young woman who will be heading to the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus) to study dentistry come September.
Another QC topper Shannon Woodroffe described her CAPE journey as “an onerous but rewarding one.” She noted that her results did come as a surprise to her as she was expecting all grade ones.
“I would like to express my profoundest gratitude to God, my parents, my elder sister and my teachers who allowed me to reach this success,” related Woodroffe who will be continuing her studies at QC to attain an Associate’s Degree in Natural Sciences as she pursues a career in the STEM (Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering) fields.
A very proud ‘Bishopian’, Carissa Kissoon, related that she was initially “astounded” by the fruits of her labour, noting that she “couldn’t predict” it. She credited her success to her family, teachers and friends, who supported her.
The aspiring Cardio-Thoracic surgeon said she has always been inspired by this Mark Twain quote, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority it is time to pause and reflect.” She went on to say that she would advise future cape students to strive for greatness and stressed the importance of belief in one’s self.