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The results came in just two hours ago – and we only got a chance to speak to two of the top finishers who are from the city, first place finisher Siyun Ye, and third place, Iani Adolphus. We spoke to Adolphus an hour ago and Siyun Ye just five minutes ago. We start with Adolphus.

Iani Adolphus - Rank 3rd in PSE
"I was relieved first of all and kind of surprised, but definitely proud."

Monica Bodden
"Who first informed you?"

Iani Adolphus
"My dad called my mom and she told me afterward."

Monica Bodden
"What are your score for your PSE."

Iani Adolphus
"I'm not sure - they didn't tell me."

Monica Bodden
"So you're just imformed that you got the third highest in the country."

Iani Adolphus
"Yes that is all they told me, they didn't tell me my score, which I wanted to know that more than what I came in but nobody told me."

Monica Bodden
"Tell me during the exam - what was the most challenging part for you?"

Iani Adolphus
"The story writing - I'm not a very good writer so the story writing was definitely more challending for me. I was never really a student that studied everyday, I just basically listend in class. I had a really good teacher, Ms. Chavarria so I definitely have to thank her because she was so dedicated to us and she gave us all the information we needed and I went into the PSE room really confident because I had everything I needed so I just want to thank her. I just want to thank my family and all my friends for supporting me and they believed in me - they knew that I would do really well so I have to thank all of them."

Monica Bodden
"You already have your high school picked out where you will be attending?"

Iani Adolphus
"Yes I will be attending SCA. I'm excited for that."

Jules Vasquez
"Did you expect specifically this student?"

Sherry Ali - Principal - Bernice Yorke
"Yes I did, I expected her to do well because she's a brilliant student and extremely hard working and she's been with us since pre-school and she's continuously topped at every level so I was expecting her to do well."

Jules Vasquez
"Siyun, when did you find out how you did on the test?"

Siyun Ye, Top finisher PSE 2013- Top finisher PSE 2013
"I did just now."

Jules Vasquez
"And how did you react. You don't seem very exciteable."

Siyun Ye
"I was surprised because I didn't think that I'd get first place."

Jules Vasquez
"After you finished the test what did you think about the test? Did you think that you got all the questions right because you did, you only got a few wrong."

Siyun Ye
"It was easy."

Jules Vasquez
"If I am a student in standard 5 at home and I'm looking at this. What would you recommend? What did you do to get the highest score?"

Siyun Ye
"Just to do your best and practice more."

Jules Vasquez
"Which subject was your weakest. Which one did you not get a 100 on.?"

Siyun Ye
"The language, writing one."

Jules Vasquez "Why is that?"

Siyun Ye
"The time limit - I couldn't finish."

Jules Vasquez
"So what's next for you? How will you celebrate? - No plans right now..and where are you going to High school?"

Siyun Ye
"St. Catherine's Academy."

Jules Vasquez
"Excellent Siyung. - Right back to your principal. A student like this, they say brilliant students will perform well in any setting. Is she known to be a hard worker or is she just purely brilliant?"

Sherry Ali
"Yes that's true. She's an extremely hard worker and she always asks for assistance and not only that, she's a willing, giving student - she helps all the other students in class. She's very good at math and even though she didn't get a 100 in Language she's an extremely good write, she's good in Language so i'm surprised she didn't get the 100 in Language."

Jules Vasquez
"Now, it must be good pride for your school - this is not the first time Bernice York, a very small school, had a first place finisher. What is the secret?"

Sherry Ali
"There's not secret you know. As I've said before, the importance and emphasis that our school places is early childhood education. That is the launchpad to have students prepared to meet the challenges of Primary education. To ensure that the curriculum is covered and to ensure that students are prepared to meet the next level."

Siyun Ye is from the Yabra area where he parents own a grocery store – in which she is often seen doing her homework. Bernice Yorke shared the first place in 2012.

7359 students sat the exam this year – more than ever before.

But, performance overall was down. English was down slightly to a median score of 58. Math was more or less consistent with a median score of 54.2% but, approximately 45% of students failed, with scores of 49 or less – that's over three thousand students with a below passing grade. Grades in the subject of social studies are down from last year, but the mean score of 67.2% was the highest. In science scores were also down slightly, but the median remains around 70%.

And so while Math was the biggest trouble area this year, the PSE official release ends on rhapsodic note, saying quote, "the result of the PSE was never intended to…cast blame and point fingers, or attempt to shame teachers, schools and other individuals and groups…" Of course, that's hardly consolation to the students, who are the only ones getting an E or F, when the results suggest the entire system is failing.