SIX grade ones at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) is no small feat, and according to Wolmer’s Boys’ School Andrew James, it could only have been possible with divine assistance.

James bagged grade one in applied mathematics unit 2, pure mathematics unit 1, communication studies, physics unit 1, chemistry unit 1, and biology unit 1, becoming the school’s top student in the exams.

The 18-year-old told the Jamaica Observer that he was never nervous going into the Caribbean Examinations Council-administered exams as he had faith that God would grant him the success he worked for over the years.

“Never,” he said in response to the question about being nervous. “I prayed, and I did the work. I knew that God was with me, so I didn’t have to be.”

He says that he knew that he would do well, but thought he would only have earned grade one in five of the six subjects he sat, applied mathematics being the exception.

His mother, Tracy-Ann Miles said that James is an industrious son.

“He has that drive. He was always studying and I never had to tell him to study,” she told the newspaper.

James’ success was even more special for the mother of three and the rest of the family as it was the first of its kind in the family. He was also the first of his kind to attend the elite boys’ school that has been operating for almost three centuries.

Miles says that it was she who encouraged her son to have a relationship with God.

“It is very important for young people nowadays to have a relationship with God, as it provides a sense of direction for them,” Miles, a mother of three, said.

James, her eldest is Inter-Schools Christian Fellowship president and will take on the added responsibility of chief secretary of Wolmer’s prefect body.

Other than divine help, James says his teachers and friends also contributed to his overall success.

“In truth, I don’t think I have any bad teachers. All of them actually did their best. All of them were actually there with me. I have friends that really encouraged me, they believed in me,” he said.

In terms of his overall preparation strategy, the 18-year-old told Career & Education that focus and understanding were his guide.

“I tried to focus on what I was doing,” he said.

“I prefer to [pore over] one topic for maybe one hour than read through a whole lot of things quickly,” he said.

James aspires to become a neurosurgeon. He said he believes that it is part of his purpose set out by God, a view his mother shares.