Disabled Student Sits 12-Hour Exam To Study At University

Quadriplegic Student Gains Place At University After 12-Hour Exam

A dedicated pupil sat a 12-hour exam in order to pursue his dream of going to university- despite not being able to walk, write or speak.

Isaac Malter took the six-subject International Baccalaureate exams, which are considered by some to be even harder than A-levels. Mr Malter, who is from South Warnborough, Hants, sat the exam at the nearby Alton College with the help of a scribe. He answered the questions by pointing out the letters of an alphabet board.

Mr Malter, who was born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, is confined to a wheelchair and has only a little movement in his right arm.

But he has continually impressed his community with his achievements. In 2009 he was honoured in the Jewish Children of the Year awards for his work in fundraising for underprivileged and disabled children.

Mr Malter initially studied Treloar College in Alton for physically disabled students. However he followed his dream to attend attend a mainstream school and enrolled at Alton College where he spent three years working towards his baccalaureate.

Jane Machell, head of Alton College, told Huffington Post UK: "The baccalaureate is an extremely hard course but Isaac was determined to do that and not the usual A-levels. Initially we didn't know how Isaac would be able to do the qualification, but we were able to train our staff to support him.

"To score so highly is incredible. I have worked in sixth form colleges for 27 years but I have never ever met a young person with his level of disability who has achieved so much.

Mr Malter discovered he had passed his exams in July, which included written, practical and oral assessments in maths, literature, biology, chemistry, french and geography. The 18-year-old sat the 12-hour exam over two days, as well as taking others which lasted up to seven hours.

He will now be attending Nottingham University to study a four-year masters in environmental science.

A University of Nottingham spokesperson said: “We provide a range of professional services through our student Disability Support team to ensure that disabled students are given every chance to flourish and make the most of their university experience.”

Mrs Machell added: "It is an extraordinary feat and we are all incredibly proud of him. He is so unique; he will always be a student who stands out in my memory for the rest of my career."

Mr Malter emailed the college to announce his good news. He said: "I am ecstatic! I can't wait to start. If you see Jane Machell, say a huge "Thank you" because she really helped me get a place. I'm really proud of myself because the [international baccalaureate] was a huge challenge."

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