The Hills Grammar School year 9 student recently came first in NSW in the under 16s division of the National Geographic Australian Geography Competition.

The optional competition is for students from years 7 to 12.

Tiffany's geography teacher Kate Kempthorne said she was proud of her student's achievements.

``Tiffany is such a bright student and she has a good knowledge of geography'' Ms Kempthorne said.

``She also has a great knowledge outside the classroom, which is why she has done so well.

``We are delighted for her.''

Tiffany said she never thought she would come first in the state and would have been content to have been awarded a High Distinction.

``I have received High Distinctions before and, last year, I came fifth, so I was really aiming for another,'' she said.

``I was shocked when I found out I came first, but also very proud.''

She attributed her success in the competition to ``looking at my atlas and thinking logically''.

In June she will compete against seven others in the national finals.

``If I win that, I get to go to the world championships and compete against the best in the world,'' she said.

``That would be great.''

Tiffany said she was studying ``very hard'' for the finals next month.

Ms Kempthorne said: ``I am lucky to be going along to the national finals with Tiffany, along with some of her friends and her family, so we are there to support her and see her do well in the finals.''

The National Geographic Australian Geography Competition tests geography students' depth of understanding of the subject, as well as of a wide base of generic skills and knowledge.

Between 85,000 and 90,000 geography students take part in the competition each year.