Maybe money is that teenager’s interest.
He has probably already seen everything he wants for himself or hopes his family to have comes with a lot money. He has, as he is 17, already experienced his one clean shot at one of those things being within his reach is one of those backbreaking and ruthlessly competitive entrance exams for which he has been probably preparing since class 8-9.
I always have this impression that kids are usually driven more by interest. But maybe it is only me.