A class VII student of Mumbai’s high-profile Podar World School, Ruhi Saraf (12) gave her academic career a five grade jump when she passed the rigorous ‘A’ level (class XII) exam of the UK-based Cambridge International Examination (CIE) board recently. In the exam held at Podar World School last May, Ruhi wrote four papers receiving two A grades, one B and one C (60-70 percent). “It all began during last year’s summer holidays when I was leafing through my elder brother’s class XII state board text books. To my surprise I didn’t experience any comprehension or problem-solving difficulties. When I told my mother about this, she suggested that I write the CIE ‘A’ level exam to test myself,” says this bright youngster.
To prepare for this testing exam which is offered by CIE in 150 countries worldwide, Ruhi referred to various English, history, biology, mathematics, physics and geography Plus Two books prescribed by the CISCE and CBSE examination boards and solved past test papers for five months. “Although it is an achievement for a class VII student to pass two ‘A’ level exam papers, I’m not satisfied with my grades. Therefore I want to try again this November to get ‘A’ grades in all subjects,” says Ruhi.
Bolstering her effort is an enabling environment in school and at home. “I moved from the Utpal Sanghvi, Mumbai to Podar World School last year. Had I not changed schools, I wouldn’t have been given the chance to skip several grades, although I was far ahead of my class. At home too, I get constant encouragement to excel from my brother Ashutosh and my well-read parents,” says Ruhi. Her mother Kalpana is a successful jewellery designer and father Om Prakash is a textiles manufacturer (Intercontinental Pvt. Ltd).
Nevertheless Ruhi takes pain to allay the impression that she is study-obsessed. “I am quite good at painting and I like western dance. I also play badminton, swim, skate and am learning to play the keyboard,” says Ruhi who plans to study electronics or chemical engineering abroad “preferably at Cambridge University”.
Comments Dr. Vandana Lulla, principal of Podar World School: “Ruhi is a gifted child with a high IQ and great potential. It would have been a great injustice if we had forced her to remain with her peer group. Therefore we encouraged her to fulfil herself and she has done our school proud.”
Attagirl!
Jubilee Cardozo (Mumbai)