Adam Daniel Spencer

Adam Daniel Spencer (born in 1989 in Hertfordshire, England) is a British young child prodigy, who between the ages of 9 and 13 studied for and passed 8 UK GCSE examinations and 4 A-Level examinations normally not taken until the ages of 16 and 18, mostly at A and B grades. His achievements have attracted international media attention.

Early years

Spencer's parents recognised how bright he was from a young age. For example, at the age of 18 months he could read the alphabet, and read as fluently as an adult before he started primary school. He learnt the basics of mathematics at the age of around 6, and moved to an intermediate mathematics textbook shortly afterwards. Much of what he learnt was self taught. He also received teaching, one hour a week, from a private tutor.

In June 1999, Adam Spencer took higher tier GCSE mathematics at a high school in Norfolk, England at the age of 9, passing the exam with an A grade.

A-level Maths and further GCSE passes

In September 1999, Spencer was accepted at a college in Luton, where he studied A-level mathematics in an intensive 1 year course. Nine months later, in June 2000, Spencer sat his final examinations and passed with a grade B, at the age of 10.

Adam then continued his education, studying for GCSEs in English, English Literature, Science (Double Award), Geography, French and Design and Technology / Business Studies at a high school in Bedfordshire. In June 2001, at the age of 11, Spencer passed these examinations, with two grade A*s, two grade As, one grade B and one grade C.

A-level passes

He then studied for a further four A-levels, in the subjects of Biology, Chemistry, French and Physics. In August 2002, Spencer passed his AS level examinations, with a grade A at Biology and Chemistry, a grade B at French and a grade C at Physics.

As is the normal procedure for students continuing to study for A-levels, Spencer dropped one of these subjects (Physics), and in August 2003 passed his Biology, French and Chemistry A-levels, all at grade B.

Controversy

Adam Spencer intended to carry on his studies to University level after having passed his A-level examinations, which would become an issue of some controversy.

Purportedly due to new UK laws regarding screening of university teachers, Spencer's applications to a number of UK universities were rejected, even before he received his A-level results. Spencer also applied to study at Oxford University during his A-level study, however, in his interview for Oxford, he was set a number of biochemistry problems on subject matter which he had not yet covered in the curriculum at his school. Due to him being unable to answer these, his application was rejected from that university without an option to contest the decision.

The subject of young child prodigies attending University is an area of some debate. Critics point out the apparent age gap in such cases as well as the possibility of the student 'missing out' on University social life. In Adam Spencer's case, despite a handful of other young child prodigies of a similar age and, in most if not all cases less qualified than Spencer, having attended University in the past, all of his applications were rejected. Spencer's desire to attend University was ultimately denied by UK universities.

Recent years, website and eBook

Since that time, Spencer has worked in a business conducting Internet sales. Spencer also launched a website in March 2001, [http://www.adamzone.co.uk/ Adamzone] , where he gives advice to students studying for their mathematics examinations. He has also written a comprehensive book aimed at teaching math in a simple and light hearted way (The Math Buster), available as an eBook.

External links

* [http://www.adamzone.co.uk/ Adam Spencer's Official Website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=AdamzoneTopMarks Adam Spencer's YouTube channel]
* [http://www.myspace.com/adamspencer_topmarks Adam Spencer's MySpace]