9 Year-Old Girl Passed WAEC

A 9-year-old prodigy girl, Anjola Victoria, has passed her WAEC exams the November/December 2013 West African Examination Council (WAEC).

Read the story of her success in the interview with the Sun Newspapers:

What was your experience during the period of GCE exams?

I studied a lot during the period of the exam. I even had to study books that were for SS3 students. I also studied the oldest past questions of the GCE examination that I could lay my hands on because the older the questions, the harder they are.

How did you register for GCE considering your tender age?

I burst into tears when the computer rejected me as being too young to register for GCE. I had to increase my age by five years before I could register for the exam.

What was the impression of other candidates at the exam centre?

No one believed that I was a candidate let alone give me the opportunity to write the exam; not even

the examiners allowed me into the exam hall until I passed the biometric test. Some candidates were mocking me, others called me names “over-ambitious girl, wait for your time”.

 What was your Exam registration number?

My Exam number was 5250802098.

How old were you when you registered for the exam?

I was eight years old when I was preparing for the exam. I was eight when I wrote the French Oral exam then I clocked 9 before I wrote the English exam.

What was easy and what was very hard?

It was actually easy but the difficult part of the English exam was the summary aspect.

What were your grades in the exams?

I registered for seven papers but only wrote two, English and French because I readily had teachers in those two subjects, dad and mum. I made C5 in French Language and C6 in English Language.

Did your school participate in grooming you for the examination?

My school was not aware I was writing the exam. But what I learnt from school also played a part, so in a way, my school participated.

Even my parents got to know about my registration for the exam after my brothers helped me complete the process. My parents who are both Lawyers felt it was a daring joke considering my age but decided to groom me for the exam. They had degrees in English and French respectively before reading Law.

Why did you write only English and French?

I wrote only English and French because by the time I made up my mind to register for the exams, time was not on my side. I had teachers in those two subjects only: mum and dad.

Do you speak so much French? How did you make C5 in French?

I don’t speak much French but my dad does. He had first and second degrees in French before reading Law. I am the former Miss French of my school. Every year, my school organises a French day and “Miss French” and “Master French” pageant is the main event for the day. I am always involved in any French related activity in my school. I am the current Head Girl of the school.

Was French easier than English? Why did you perform better in French than English?

French was not easier than English, but interestingly, I had more confidence than ability in French and the reverse was the case in English. I love French. I am an active member of French Club in my school. Daddy always told me Paris is a beautiful city. I heard of the famous French proverb “See Paris and die” and I wish to see it one day.

Did you receive special lessons in preparation for the exam?

Yes I did, in a way my dad who is a bilingual lawyer and a former French teacher was my French teacher and my mum who is a Chief Magistrate was my English teacher.

How did you feel when you passed the examination?

I felt very happy when I passed the exam but I was a bit disappointed by the result because I expected B2 or B3 in English Language.

Do you have a social life?

Yes I have a social life. I love dancing. I win best dancer’s competition at most birthday parties and social functions.

How do you relax?

I play games on my dad’s iPad. I relax by watching television or swimming. I also enjoy reading storybooks and science encyclopaedia.

What do you want to become in future?

My dream is to be a medical doctor in the future, if possible be the youngest medical doctor in the history of Nigeria.

What message do you have for children of your age?

I advise children of my age to cultivate the reading culture and be ready to learn and show seriousness in their studies because having the right attitude is better than hard work and knowledge. When there is a will, there is a way.