young talent
Nine-year-old boy passes his final math exam and already has his next goal in mind
Nine-year-old Leonardo passed an exam that students only take when they are 16 (symbolic image)
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A nine-year-old schoolboy from Wales took – and passed – the math final exam. In fact, he would have preferred a different subject.
Nine-year-old children usually deal with problems in the number range up to a million in math class, and they are also gradually introduced to geometry. For Leonardo del Rosso that would not be enough. The nine-year-old boy from the Welsh county of Flintshire moves in completely different spheres at a young age.
Leonardo took the final exams in November, which are usually written by students six or seven years older, the BBC reports. And with success: The math talent passed and thus obtained the General Certificate of Secondary Education – in Germany this roughly corresponds to the middle school leaving certificate. Normally, students take this exam at the age of 16.
Nine-year-old math talent passes exam for 16-year-olds
His parents were “overwhelmed, very happy and incredibly proud” of their son’s achievement, they told the BBC. “For a nine-year-old, writing two 90-minute exams is a big deal,” said Emma del Rosso, Leonardo’s mother. “We weren’t sure if he would be able to cope with the exam situation and we’re thrilled that he did it. To pass is just amazing.”
Leonardo actually wanted to take the exam in natural sciences. However, that was not possible: he could not complete the practical parts of the course. In math it was different. The nine-year-old was able to study at home for the exam in this subject – and his performance is in no way inferior to that in natural sciences. Once a week he received support from a tutor, otherwise the boy taught himself the exam material.
Long-term goal NASA
After this success Leonardo is still a long way from the end of the road. He’s already studying again to get the next higher degree. What comes next? “In the field of math and science, that’s a name you have to remember,” enthuses his tutor, predicting a great future for the young student. In her view, someone with the skills of Leonardo del Rosso has a very good chance of getting a job at NASA.
Source: BBC