Cambridge AS Level Exam Topper Interview with Cadence Goveas - Know Preparation Strategy & Tips

Cambridge International AS Topper interview: Cambridge board had conducted the AS level exam 2023. The AS/A Levels are highly specialised programmes and allow a student to gain in-depth knowledge, reasoning abilities, and critical thinking skills.

We interviewed Cambridge AS level exam topper Cadence Goveas, a student of JBCN International School. She scored high marks in AS level exam and emerged as one of the top scorers. Read the entire article to know how to prepare for the AS level exam, how toppers make preparation strategies, etc.

Cambridge International AS Level Exam Topper interview with Cadence Goveas

Read the entire interview conversation to know the AS-level exam preparation strategy and other important tips.

Careers360: How was your reaction after seeing the result?

Cadence Goveas: Ok, So when I first opened my results, I had a little trouble processing it at first because I knew that I had worked hard and I knew that that would stay off, but I wasn't quite expecting that high of a mark. I don't think it really sunk in until a while later when my teachers and my friends started calling me to say congratulations, but when it did finally hit me, I was just incredibly happy and proud of myself.

What's your experience with the AS level exam, was it easy or tough?

Cadence Goveas: So an AS level was definitely a step up from IGCSE. Most of the content that was covered in AS is an extension. You need to have a much deeper understanding of the content, and that's why AS is more challenging than IGCSE, even though you have fewer subjects. They really test your ability to apply knowledge to novel situations. So you have to understand the fundamentals of your content very well to be able to do this.

What’s your favourite subject?

Cadence Goveas: I think my favourite subject at the moment would be Economics. I really like how challenging and interesting it is in terms of easier and harder subjects. However, it's very subjective and depends entirely on the individual and the interest.

So for example, I am much more inclined towards writing and languages than math or science, so naturally, I find essay-based subjects like English and economics easier. Some of my friends, however, find essay subjects very challenging, but they can do maths and sciences.

But I do think it's worth bearing in mind that even if you aren't particularly inclined towards a certain subject, you didn't rule out the possibility of doing well in it. For example, I really struggled with Math at IGCSE, and I was sure that I'd never get a good grade, yet alone continued to study it. But I ended up getting an A star at IG, and I'm currently starting with the A2 Math syllabus. So good hard work can really work wonders.

Also, check: Top Cambridge Schools 2023-24

Careers360: What was your preparation strategy like you used to make a timetable and follow that or is there anything else you follow?

Cadence Goveas: So I do think study timetables are fantastic planning tools, but they need to be flexible and they need to be realistic. So you shouldn't plan out 12-hour study deals every day because other commitments are bound to come up beside the fact that you would just burn out stupidly.

So it's definitely worth making a list of all the things that you have to finish before your exams in terms of revision and practice. But you should also see that it's not always going to go exactly the way that you plan it. And in terms of preparation in general, I think the key word here is consistency. You have to stay consistent throughout the year instead of just cramming for your exams a week before.

You have to take every test seriously, because as annoying and insignificant as they might seem but they're really an invaluable source of the preparation process and like I said, just both hand in hand with time management. So timetables can really be useful when they're used well.

And another hugely underrated tip is to make use of your teacher's help because that's what they're there for, right? Make sure that you fully understand everything and if not you have to ask the teacher as soon as possible to correct the same. So my teachers were incredibly supportive and they did everything they possibly could to help me feel more confident. They helped me even after school hours and they replied to my messages if I needed help with anything. Clearing up misconceptions as early as possible is really key to not making the same mistakes in an exam.

Careers360: How do you deal with the pressure?

Cadence Goveas: So I think experiencing pressure around exams is very common because we're always cool that these exams are important and they are important. We can decide which universities we get into and what careers we get into, so they are definitely important. But the whole wage of the situation can really be a huge burden on us. So personally I think I'm the kind of person that tends to ignore stress until it starts to boil over, which probably isn't a healthy coping mechanism at all.

I have been trying to take better care of my mental health during this exact season though, and I think this is one of the best ways. For me to do this is by talking to a friend. They understand the exact same situation as I am and probably feel the same emotions and the same pressure and the same stress as I do. With friends, I feel they often do a wonderful job of making me feel better. You're burned out, you won't be able to effectively retain any content that you're devising, and you're not going to be able to perform optimally on exam day either. So sometimes you just really have to know when to be kind and patient with yourself.

Careers360: Can you suggest some books that can help aspiring students for better preparation?

Cadence Goveas: Well, personally I did find my textbooks to be less useful because a lot of the content went there. A lot of the content required an understanding that went far beyond the textbook's explanation. So I don't think I used books per se, but I did use a lot of online revision resources.

So, I watched a lot of YouTube videos on concepts that I didn't really understand or I wasn't too confident with. This was an amazing way to consolidate and strengthen my understanding because YouTube videos they're very easy to digest, but they can be incredibly informative as well.

So I really did rely a lot on free online revision resources. And depending on the subject, if you take your teachers they will probably be the best people to actually recommend good resources because they will likely be aware of them. You can find dedicated A-level revision websites for exams.

Careers360: Are you also preparing for some competitive exam or any other exam?

Cadence Goveas: Not at the moment.

Careers360: So what are your future goals?

Cadence Goveas: Well, in the short term, I think I'm just focusing on achieving top grades in my A-level exams. This year I'm working towards a scholarship as I'd like to study and live abroad and my professional goals include a career in management and marketing, specifically in the entertainment industry. Besides that, in terms of personal growth, I'd also like to reach a point in my life, where I'm truly happy and secure in myself and my achievements.

Careers360: Any message or advice you have for future students?

Cadence Goveas: So I think you have to remember that only you have the power to get the outcome that you want. No amount of tutoring or fancy revision resources will guarantee you success unless you stay focused and put in the work. I think you have to just identify what it is that drives you to do well. Why do you want to succeed? What will success get you to? How will it help you in the future? Think about these things and once you figure that out, keep your sites firmly set on that.

It's not easy to always stay on track and stay indicated, but the end result would be more than what is. And lastly, you just have to remember that your results, they don't define you. It's painfully cliche, but it's very true. Life is about far more than just exams, and I believe that resilience, compassion and humility, they'll always lead you to brilliant things.

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