12 years old passed university entrance exam

The news of Yahya passing the university entrance exam at the age of 12 was made public by Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Egypt's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The boy will begin his university career in the second semester of the 2023-2024 academic year.

To get into university at the age of 12, Yahya had to take tests in Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English and a personality assessment interview. The knowledge of the entrance exam is equivalent to the end of high school.

Sharing with the press, Professor Salah Obayya, General Director of ZC, said that Yahya is the youngest student to pass the school after "meeting the exam standards, regardless of age and educational level".

"This exam is for young candidates to measure their understanding of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English. Yahya is a genius because he passed the ZC entrance exam at the age of 12," said Mr. Obayya.

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Egyptian Minister of Education and Technology Reda Hegazy (left) presents an award to Yahya Abdel Nasser Muhammad Elnajaar (right). Photo: MOE GOV

Before entering ZC, Yahya attended a course at Damietta University’s Science Innovation Centre and received a Listening Certificate. In addition, Yahya also passed the tests: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Thinking Skills.

Accordingly, the Egyptian government will fund Yahya's studies at ZC through the Ministry of Higher Education's Innovation Scholarship Fund (ISF) for outstanding students, postgraduates and researchers.

Challenges to face

Although Yahya is mentally and intellectually on par with university students, his age, physical, emotional and social development will be the biggest hurdles, said Samir Khalaf Abd-El-Aal, a research professor at the National Research Center in Cairo.

"Parents and schools need to recognize the challenges children face and address them early, including: Behavior, emotions, nurturing relationships with people and building friendships. To achieve this, parents and schools need to work closely together. At the same time, they should guide children to build personal strengths to develop their intelligence and emotions," said Mr. Abd-El-Aal.

Professor Ahmed El-Gohary, former President of the Egyptian-Japanese University of Science and Technology of Alexandria, agrees that gifted students should be given special care and absolutely not deprived of their experiences, including making friends and having fun. The professor advises these schools to build the right learning path, because there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

The role of family and school

Speaking to University World News , Yahya's father, Mr. Abdel Nasser, said that the role of the family is to encourage children to develop their potential and help them solve problems. "In terms of academics, I have tried my best to help my son develop intellectually. I have put him in a suitable educational environment that meets his learning needs," the boy's father said.

This person further confirmed that Yahya currently has no problems studying and interacting with older friends in university classes.

Professor Mahmoud Abdrabou, President of ZC, said the school will help Yahya adapt to university life and overcome the challenges he will face in the future. The school representative added that the male student will be encouraged to participate in student clubs and activities.

9th grade male student was directly admitted to the number 1 university in Asia, saying no to extra classes . Truong Tan Cac, currently a 9th grade student at Lich Thanh No. 2 Middle School (China), has just been directly admitted to the Faculty of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics of Tsinghua University.