Mahnoor Cheema, a 16-year-old British-Pakistani student, has achieved a remarkable feat by passing 34 subjects at the GCSE level in the United Kingdom. This accomplishment, reported by Pakistani media on Friday, is the highest number of subjects ever taken and passed by a student in the history of GCSEs in the UK and EU.
Mahnoor Cheema Sets New Record in GCSE Exams with 34 A* Grades
Cheema initially earned A* grades in 17 subjects as a private candidate in Year 10 and, on Thursday, completed another 17, solidifying her record. “I’ve completed 34 GCSE subjects with A* in all of them. I’m the first student to reach this milestone,” Cheema shared in an interview with Pakistan’s Geo News.
Unprecedented Achievement by a 16-Year-Old British-Pakistani Student
She highlighted that her achievement includes six languages, a unique record globally. Her parents, Barrister Usman Cheema and Tayyaba Cheema, originally from Lahore, Pakistan, moved to the UK in 2006 to pursue further studies at Lincoln’s Inn and SOAS, respectively. Mahnoor, who attends Langley Grammar School in West London, initially aimed to take 50 GCSE subjects but had to reduce the number due to limitations in the British education system.
Reflecting on her ambition, Cheema’s mother, Tayyaba, noted that her daughter expressed a desire to “do something for humanity” upon entering 9th grade. Passionate about medicine, Mahnoor carefully chose her subjects, incorporating a mix of school-taught and privately studied courses. Last year, she completed 17 subjects, adding another 17 this year.
Future Goals: Mahnoor Cheema’s Aspiration to Study Medicine at Oxford
In 2021, Mahnoor also achieved a Mensa IQ score of 161, surpassing the reputed IQ of 160 held by scientist Albert Einstein. She explained her motivation, saying, “I have a strong interest in medicine, not just for personal career growth but to contribute to humanity.”
Mahnoor aspires to attend Oxford University in the coming years and aims to leave a meaningful impact on the world. Her parents have been a continuous source of support in her ambitious journey.
