The Cambridgeshire Man Passed The Maths Exam With Top Marks 74 Years After He Was Supposed To

Derek Skipper of Orwell, Cambridgeshire, has become the oldest man to pass a GCSE Exam in British History, after the 92 year old passed the Maths Exam with a grade five (The highest mark possible for that subject), according to The Cambridge Academy Trust's Adult Education Program.

Mr Skipper had last sat in a Maths Exam in 1946 at the age of 16, but dropped out after failing the exam, when he turned 18 in 1948 he declined an offer from his old school to retake the Maths Exam.

Derek told in an interview with Cambridge University that: "My family thought I was nuts for trying it, but were also very supportive and helped me out.

I am very pleased indeed with my results, considering I flunked my first Maths Exam decades ago.

When I was once again offered to retake the Maths Exam last year, I didn't make the same mistake I did back in 1948, I put my foot through the door and began testing again.

Maths is such a wonderful thing and it is very easy once you get the hand of it, any opportunity you have to learn something new, embrace it".

Due to his failing eyesight, he was allowed to use a calculator and a magnifying glass during the test, a luxury not given to most GCSE students.

When asked if he'd take any more long-overdue exams, Mr Skipper stated that: "No, I think that is probably my lot, I think I shall go out on that high mark".