British-Pakistani teen Mahnoor Cheema breaks six academic records, earns Oxford admission
LONDON: Mahnoor Cheema, an 18-year-old British-Pakistani student, has stunned the academic world by completing 24 A-Level subjects with top distinctions, securing her place at the prestigious University of Oxford to study Medicine. With this extraordinary achievement, Mahnoor has now set six global academic records, making her one of the brightest students in the world.
Mahnoor’s latest feat includes a world record for the highest number of A-Level subjects taken and passed with distinction — 24 subjects plus an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), all through one exam board without repeating components. She also earned 19 A and A grades*, setting another record for the highest number of top grades in A-Levels.
Her earlier achievements in GCSEs further elevated her profile. At just 16, Mahnoor passed 34 GCSE subjects, including 17 A* grades in Year 10 and a total of 34 A* grades overall. These accomplishments contributed to her combined records of the highest total of A grades worldwide (45 in GCSEs and A-Levels)* and the most subjects passed with distinction — 58 in total.
Speaking to British media, Mahnoor expressed her excitement about beginning her journey at Oxford:
“I am over the moon. It’s been a joy doing these subjects, but I am glad to be moving on to pursue the career I’ve always dreamt of. My admission to Oxford is a childhood dream fulfilled. I owe this achievement to my parents’ sacrifices and constant support.”
Mahnoor is the daughter of Lahore natives Barrister Usman Cheema and Tayyaba Cheema, who moved to the UK in 2006. She attended Langley Grammar School before joining the prestigious Henrietta Barnett School in London, later switching to homeschooling in her final year to manage her demanding workload.
Her achievements have previously been recognized at the highest levels. Following her GCSE success, she met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former premier Nawaz Sharif, who praised her as a “daughter of the nation” and gifted her a MacBook, which she continues to use, including during her Oxford admission interviews.
Alongside her academic brilliance, Mahnoor is also a member of Mensa, the world’s oldest high IQ society, with an IQ score of 161 — higher than both Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. Beyond academics, she holds an AMusTCL diploma in music, equivalent to an undergraduate degree, and has won gold medals in Acting and Public Speaking from LAMDA.
Her success story not only cements her place in history but also shines as a source of inspiration for students around the globe, especially young Pakistani women aspiring to break barriers in education.
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