Penang lad is ‘top in the world’

Badge of pride: Khor believes his passion for mathematics has enabled him to delve into the intricate world of numbers and understand it on a profound level.

MATHEMATICS stood out as the subject that filled Khor Haojun’s heart the most throughout his schooling years in Nibong Tebal, Penang.

This passion has endured even after his secondary school days, with the 19-year-old recently being named “Top in the World” for AS-Level Mathematics in the June 2023 examinations recognised by Cambridge Assessment International Education.

Attributing his success to his deep love for the “elegance and logic of mathematics”, the INTI International College Penang Cambridge A-Level student said he believes his passion for the subject has enabled him to delve into the intricate world of numbers and understand it on a profound level.

“Mathematics is a very sophisticated subject while solving mathematical problems is like building a Lego set.

“Sometimes, it may not make sense to you during the process, but if you do it step by step and try different approaches, you will eventually work your way out and find the solutions. That is the beauty of mathematics,” he said in a press release dated Dec 19.

His passion aside, he also acknowledged the pivotal role his lecturers at INTI and teachers at his alma mater SMJK Jit Sin 2, Penang, had played in providing their guidance and support.

His study techniques, he shared, include practising past year papers and mock examinations under timed conditions, as well as seeking feedback from teachers and peers on challenging questions.

“I usually pay attention to all the lectures and ensure I understand all the topics thoroughly. I started doing past year papers two weeks before the mock examinations.

“I would complete two subjects a day and the next day, I would do the past year papers for the other two subjects, as I took four subjects.

“Usually, it took no more than five hours each day to revise, so, there would still be plenty of free time,” he said, adding that he maintains a balance between rigorous study routines and active participation in extracurricular activities, such as playing badminton and football, to prevent burnout and stress.

In the face of challenges during his examination preparation, Khor said he focused on the process rather than the outcome, which was crucial to his success.

INTI International College Penang Centre of Excellence for Pre-University Studies (CEPS) programme head Bee Hooi Tan expressed her pride in Khor Haojun’s outstanding achievement.

“His success not only reflects his accomplishments, but also serves as an inspiration to his peers. His journey illustrates that hard work and dedication lead to positive outcomes, motivating other students to challenge themselves and forge ahead,” she said.

She added that the college’s conducive learning environment supports students in their examination preparations.

“Within the CEPS, dedicated lecturers, small class sizes, and the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) create a supportive environment.

“Lecturers go beyond standard teaching, offering consultations and mentor-mentee relationships. The small class size ensures personalised attention, and the Canvas LMS facilitates easy access to notes, reading materials, and exercises for future reference,” she said.