Top results in Cambridge Secondary Checkpoint for the students of Zlatarski International School

In 2024 the students of Zlatarski International School scored very well in the Cambridge Checkpoint exams. At the end of Grade 8, our students sat the Checkpoint exams in English, Mathematics and Science (Biology, Physics and Chemistry). This year, thanks to the continuous work of teachers and students, our 8 th graders achieved 17 Outstanding results, 28 High scores and 26 Good marks. A result in the Good, High and Outstanding categories in the Cambridge Checkpoint exams certifies readiness for successful education according to international standards in the IGCSE years (9th and 10th grades). Our students will celebrate their Cambridge achievements at a ceremony at School.

The Cambridge Checkpoint English exams include listening, reading, grammar and writing components. 70% of our students achieved High or Outstanding marks in English in 2024. 17 students received Outstanding ranking across all the subject components in English and 8 students achieved maximum marks 50 (out of 50 points), placing them well above the world average. This year’s outstanding marks in English belong to: Viktoria Ilieva, Viktoria Stavreva, Preslava Divcheva, Viktoria Lambova, Filip Boyadzhiev, Viktor Kanurov, Ekaterina Ivanova, Sophia Tsaneva, Mateya Nedyalkova, Dimitar Kirilov, Oleg Malafei, Kaloyan Kabakchiev, Elena Bliznakova, Tsvetelina Panova, Yoana Staneva, Ivaylo Borisov and Evan Sharpe. Commendation for their High results deserve Boyan Panayotov, Vladimir Manchev, Julia Smilenova, Martina Tzikalova, Tsvetelina Urilska, Lyubov Angelova, Yoan Yonchev, Gabriela Danova, Boris Angelov and Alexander Andreev. This is a real success and these results prove the high quality of teaching in English at Zlatarski International School. The Checkpoint preparation at our school allows our students to get familiar with the exam environment and the rules of international exams.

Well done students and teachers: “We commend our students for their successful performance in the externally assessed Cambridge International Checkpoint exams. We congratulate the teachers who encouraged and prepared our students for international exams in English, Mathematics and Science. The results show our students are ready to progress in our challenging academic programme in the 9 th and 10 th grades at school, to prepare for the national external assessments and to continue with confidence in the IGCSE and International Baccalaureate programs,” shared Mrs. Kardasheva, Headteacher of Zlatarski International School.

Did you know: So far more than 340 of our students have successfully gained their Cambridge Checkpoint certificates at our School since we started preparing students for the Cambridge Secondary Checkpoint exams in 2019. We wish good luck to our 8 th graders who will be sitting the exams in 2025!

In the Spotlight in 2024
In English Grammar (Use of English) 19 students achieved Outstanding results, with 10 students achieving the maximum marks for the component. In the Reading component 27 students managed to achieve Outstanding results, while 14 students scored maximum points. This was the strongest component for the year group. In Listening 18 students got Outstanding results while again 10 students achieved 50 (out of 50 points). In Writing 20 students managed to get Outstanding results with 11 students achieving maximum points. We are pleased with these results across the different components, which is a testament that our teaching at Zlatarski School helps students develop different skills in their English language learning. Learners who score in the Good category generally show a good level of achievement. They demonstrate a secure level of understanding, knowledge and skills of most of the curriculum content. Students who perform in the High category show aspects of good performance as well as outstanding performance. Learners who place in the Outstanding category demonstrate a comprehensive level of understanding, knowledge and skills of the curriculum content and are very well prepared for the next stage of learning.

Mathematics: In Cambridge Checkpoint Mathematics 44% of the students achieved High marks. The top results in 2024 were achieved by Oleg Malafei, Lyubov Angelova, Evan Sharpe, Ivaylo Petrunov and Viktoria Stefanova who all scored very well across the different Maths components. Checkpoint Mathematics exams include questions on numbers, algebra, geometry and measure, statistics and probability as well as problem solving. In Algebra the Outstanding result belongs to Evan Sharpe, while 50% of the students achieved High marks. On the Numbers component Oleg Malafei and Ivaylo Petrunov scored the top results while in Problem Solving Lyubov Angelova, Oleg Malafei and Elena Bliznakova scored with outstanding results. In Geometry and Measure the highest result belongs to Oleg Malafei, while in Statistics and Probability the top results belong to Ivaylo Borisov and Evan Sharpe

Checkpoint Science consists of questions on Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space and Working Scientifically. The top students in Science in 2024 across all components were Oleg Malafei and Evan Sharpe. In the Biology component Viktoria Ilieva scored the highest, in the Physics component – Evan Sharpe, in the Chemistry component as well as in Earth and Space – Oleg Malafei, Ivaylo Petrunov and Evan Sharpe achieved the top marks. Well done.

The top students in 2023 who achieved Outstanding Cambridge Checkpoint scores in English were Denis Jelev, Mihaela Balabanova, Wilhelmina Shouten, Divna Doganova, Ivan Ivanov, Dimitar Ivanov and Valentina Parvanova. Three students – Denis, Mihaela and Wilhelmina scored maximum points 50 (out of 50) across all English components. In Checkpoint Mathematics Ivan Ivanov scored the highest. In Checkpoint Science, Wilhelmina Shouten and Ivan Ivanov performed very well across the Physics, Biology and Chemistry components.

The top students in 2022 were: Kaloyan Obretenchev, who achieved maximum Cambridge Checkpoint scores in English, Mathematics and in Sciences; Christina Julia Gueorgiev, Iva Spasova, Simon Atkinson, Iliya Ivanov achieved excellent marks in English and Mathematics; Doriana Karpacheva and Victoria Vassileva had excellent results in English and very good results in Mathematics.

Cambridge Checkpoint is an academic program for secondary education taught at prestigious international schools around the world. Integrated into our school curriculum, the Cambridge Checkpoint program prepares our students for their studies in the International GCSE program in grades 9 and 10 and for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in the 11th and 12th grades and helps students to consolidate their knowledge in Upper Secondary.