Once again, Wellington College Hangzhou has demonstrated its strong academic prowess to the world.
Viktoria, one of our Senior School pupils achieved a tie for the highest score globally in the mathematics, as the IGCSE exam results were recently announced, deserving the honour of a true star pupil.
Viktoria has been invited to
the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards Ceremony
Everyone said that this is the story of a top pupil for achieving such superb academic results in year 11, and so did we at first. However, only by understanding the story behind the scenes can we truly comprehend that the star pupil is a proactive learner with strong control.
What shapes Viktoria into a highly efficient learner is her skills in balancing learning and life, clear mathematics judgment and an understanding of her strengths and weaknesses. She has stayed true to herself as always.
Her success did not just happen. Behind her stands a team of supportive, professional and experienced teachers. The academic team at Wellington College Hangzhou has formulated a scientific and reasonable teaching plan based on the IGCSE features, helping pupils solidify the basics of mathematics and improve their problem-solving skills. In addition, our teachers care about pupils’ mental health, equipping them to face challenges with a positive attitude.
Yingnan Wang
Mathematics Teacher/ Head of KS5
Viktoria is the role model pupil that every teacher could dream of. She is self-driven, smart, well-organised, elegant and hard-working.
She joined the advanced maths class at the beginning of Year 10 and, from day one, her exceptional maths knowledge and skills surprised us.
What is even more precious is that Viktoria is such a humble pupil, and she does not have an arrogant attitude towards learning, despite her talent in maths. She always completes all the difficult questions and challenges.
It is such an honour to teach Viktoria IGCSE additional maths this year, and I very much look forward to welcoming her to our Sixth Form further maths group next year!
Go Viktoria!
Viktoria’s honour also reflects the educational achievements of the school. In recent years, Wellington College Hangzhou has continuously optimised its curriculum system, strengthened its academic team, and improved the education quality, cultivating a large number of high achievers, including Ryan, the double science national champion in IGCSE in 2023, and Joe, the national champion in IGCSE arts in 2022. This year, Viktoria's achievement of a tie for the highest score in the IGCSE mathematics not only adds glory to the school but also sets an example for other pupils.
Let us find out how this world's NO. 1 pupil achieved such high honour. We believe that Viktoria’s outstanding achievements can be an inspiration for all of us.
Can you describe the feeling you had when you learned you got the joint top score in the world for IGCSE Mathematics?
Learning that I had achieved the joint top score in the world for IGCSE mathematics was surreal. I felt immense pride, a bit of surprise, and deep satisfaction in knowing that my hard work had paid off.
What motivated you to excel in Mathematics?
Initially my motivation came from my mum, who pushed me to excel in math to secure a place at a prestigious private school in Cambridge. After achieving that goal, I continued to push myself as I recognized the considerable progress I was making. It became clear that the effort I put into studying had a direct impact on my ability to solve problems. Overall, my motivation stems from both my parent’s support and my competitive nature.
How did you prepare for the IGCSE Mathematics exam?
To prepare for the exam, I focused heavily on practice, completing as many questions and past papers as possible. Rather than relying on memorising formulas, I concentrated on developing a strong understanding of the underlying concepts. Consistency was key, as I practiced daily and spent the majority of my holiday prior to my exam doing numerous papers and exercises.
Did you have a specific study schedule or strategy that you followed?
While I did not follow a strict schedule, I made sure to dedicate a few hours each day after school to studying. I would work through each past paper carefully but efficiently, ensuring that I had enough time to review my paper multiple times. In total, I completed around 30 past papers during the holiday leading up to my exam, which significantly strengthened my exam techniques.
Were there any challenges you faced while preparing, and how did you overcome them?
Of course, there were moments where certain questions I struggled to solve right away. In these cases, I would spend at least 10-15 minutes trying to work through the problem myself before seeking help from classmates or teachers. Another challenge that I often faced was always making careless mistakes in my practice exams, despite checking through my answers many times. I later realized that getting sufficient sleep the night before made all the difference and helped me avoid these mistakes, as well as improved my overall performance.
What role has the school and teachers played in helping you achieve academic excellence?
The support and guidance provided by Wellington and my teachers has been crucial in helping me achieve academic excellence. My math teacher particularly, Miss Wang, has had an enormous impact on my academic journey and has always shown an incredible commitment towards my success. Whether through challenging tests or extensive homework, she constantly pushes me to go beyond my limits. She has not only taught me the IGCSE math curriculum but continues to teach me additional math now in year eleven. Because of her guidance, I look forward to studying further math and math in A-Level.
Wellington has provided me with a supportive and enriching learning environment, playing a significant role in helping me achieve academic excellence. The school’s strong emphasis on academic success and encouragement has empowered me to explore my interests further. I can confidently say I would not have achieved the same results without them.
Are there any mathematicians or scientists you admire?
One mathematician I admire is Alain Turing, renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to computer science and cryptography during World War II. I initially found out about him through the film ‘The Imitation game,’ which depicts the story of him deciphering the Enigma code. Turing’s innovative thinking and problem-solving skills not only significantly advanced the field of mathematics and computer science, but also played a crucial role in the war effort.
How do you think Mathematics is important in everyday life and future career opportunities?
I think that mathematics serves as the fundamental bases for nearly all future career opportunities. It trains you to think logically, a skill applicable across various professions. It is a subject that helps to understand the world around you better and be able to break it down into more manageable parts. As our world is increasingly relying on technology, a strong foundation in mathematics becomes even more crucial. Whether pursuing a career in architecture, data science, or software development, mathematical skills are essential in nearly all fields of study.
Do you have any advice for other pupils aiming to achieve high results in their exams?
For pupils aiming to achieve high results in their exams, it is essential to establish a routine and then try to stick to it consistently. By making studying a habit, you can bypass much of the procrastination that occurs when you study at irregular intervals.
It is also important to realize that the number of hours you devote to focused studying is directly proportional to how well you will do in the exam. Studying a subject for 3 hours is very different from studying it for 15 hours. This routine also develops your ability to stay focused on the topic for longer periods at a time.
If you do past papers you begin to not only understand the subject, but the logic of the exams so you have a better understanding of what the questions are asking and how to answer them properly.
What activities do you enjoy outside of your academic studies?
Outside of my academic studies, I mostly enjoy doing art. I have always had a deep passion for art and have been drawing regularly ever since I was little. Since coming to China, I started going to an art school where I fortunately had a great teacher and so was able to scale the technical aspects of my drawing dramatically. Beyond art, I also enjoy reading fiction in my spare time and try to read at least half an hour every day.
How do you see your future academic and career path evolving from here?
I plan to take A-Level math and further math, and probably pursue a career in computer science. My goal is to combine my creativity and interest in art with coding and mathematics. At the moment, I am not entirely sure how these two widely different areas can be combined but I am eager to continue developing in both directions.
Finally, what message would you like to convey to your teachers, family, and friends who supported you?
I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to my family, teachers, and friends for their unwavering support throughout my academic journey. My family has always encouraged me to push my limits and strive for excellence, while my teachers have provided me with significant guidance. I would also like to sincerely thank my friends for always being there to motivate and inspire me. I am truly thankful to everyone who has contributed to creating an environment conductive of learning and excelling for me.
