20 Mumbai students shine in Cambridge International Exams

MUMBAI: Of the 41 world toppers from India in the Cambridge International Exams (CIE) this year, 20 are from Mumbai. This is the first time such a large number of

MUMBAI: Of the 41 world toppers from India in the Cambridge International Exams (CIE) this year, 20 are from Mumbai. This is the first time such a large number of city students topped the world in different subjects in Classes 10, 11 and 12, CIE series held in March and June this year and in November last year. The merit list was out on Monday.

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The number of toppers this year is higher than last year, when only nine students from Mumbai were among the 22 world toppers from India. This might be the result of a 17% increase in the number of exam entries since last year, after the March series of exams was introduced, said officials.

This year, there were 47,080 entries from India for the International General Certificate of School Education (IGCSE) exam, the equivalent of Class 10 exams.

There were 15,983 entries for the AS and A levels, the equivalents of Classes 11 and 12 exams. Last year, there were 28,900 entries for IGCSE and 14,789 for the other exams.

Performances across schools improved this year. In the A-levels, Saboo Neha Manoj Seema and Aashray Joshua Rao from Podar International School, Khar, stood first in business studies and thinking skills, respectively. Biyani Ved from CP Goenka International School, Juhu, topped accounting in IGCSE, while Roshni Surya Rangwani from Billabong High International School, Santacruz, topped in English literature.

Most of the students topped in mathematics (without coursework) in which students are assessed throughout the year unlike regular maths. “I was gunning for 100 marks in maths. I knew that it was possible to score full marks as it is objective,” said Param Patel from Utpal Shanghvi Global School.

Some schools like Bombay Cambridge School, Andheri (East), had world toppers for the first time. Their student, Eesha Charaya, was among the maths toppers.

Students and academicians have credited the studentfriendly syllabus for the brilliant performance. “The syllabus is challenging, but it is application-oriented,” said Saachi Munot from Dhirubhai Ambani International School who topped in biology.

Ruchira Ghosh, regional director, South Asia, CIE, attributed the improved performances to rigorous teacher training. “Mumbai has the largest number of CIE schools in India. They are taking teachertraining seriously. We are now offering many training opportunities helping teachers in getting clarity on assessments and how to teach certain concepts,” said Ghosh. The toppers will receive outstanding Cambridge learner certificates from CIE.