- Mahnoor Cheema, a 16-year-old Pakistani-British student, has set a new record by excelling in 34 GCSE subjects, the highest number ever achieved in the history of UK and EU GCSEs.
- Apart from her academic prowess, Mahnoor boasts an IQ of 161 on the Mensa IQ Test, excels in music, aims to study medicine at the University of Oxford, and is a finalist in the John Locke essay competition.
Mahnoor Cheema, a 16-year-old Pakistani-British student, has achieved an extraordinary feat by excelling in a staggering total of 34 subjects at the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) level. As Mahnoor herself puts it, “I’m a highly driven individual. I’ve always understood that hard work would be required with aspirations like mine, and I’ve never backed down from a challenge.”
This remarkable accomplishment marks Mahnoor as the student who has undertaken the highest number of subjects ever recorded in the history of UK and EU GCSEs. Initially, in Year 10, she secured A* grades in 17 subjects as a private candidate. Subsequently, on a recent Thursday, she expanded her achievement by mastering 17 more subjects, elevating the grand total to 34 and setting a new benchmark.
Her father, Barrister Usman Cheema, expressed gratitude to both Pakistani and British teachers who played a role in her journey. He emphasized that Mahnoor displayed personal initiative and dedication. “Our daughter’s achievements break a long-held European record as this is the first time a feat like this has ever been accomplished across the UK or EU. We are over the moon.”
Beyond her academic prowess, Mahnoor has earned recognition for her high IQ, which has been quantified at 161 on the Mensa IQ Test. This achievement situates Mahnoor within the top 1% of the global population in terms of intellectual capacity.
Her mother, Tayyaba Cheema, chose to dedicate her time and efforts to her children rather than pursuing employment after relocating to the UK. She worked alongside Mahnoor daily, assisting her with schoolwork and facilitating her pursuit of additional GCSE subjects. “Our daughter’s achievements break a long-held European record as this is the first time a feat like this has ever been accomplished across the UK or EU. We are over the moon.”
Mahnoor’s exceptional journey extends beyond academics. She has been selected as a finalist in the esteemed John Locke essay competition, with the awards ceremony scheduled to take place in Oxford later this year. Her aspirations encompass a profound desire to study medicine at the University of Oxford, evidenced by her participation in the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) and the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) at the age of 15. Her exceptional performance, placing her in the 99th percentile with a score of 3,290, underlines her dedication to becoming a medical professional of great promise.
During a media interview, Mahnoor shared insights into her success, stating, “I set a target and then I stay focused on it. I constantly considered the fact that I wasn’t studying just for myself, but for my family and for the people I wish to help one day. Besides this, time management has always been a skill of mine.”
Despite her remarkable accomplishments, Mahnoor maintains a balanced lifestyle. She believes in the “work hard, play hard” philosophy, engaging in leisure activities such as horse riding, swimming, chess, and socialising with friends and family.
Her parents are proud of her accomplishments and express great faith in her future endeavours. Mahnoor’s father, Barrister Usman Cheema, offered unwavering support, while her mother, Tayyaba Cheema, who holds double master’s degrees, provided invaluable assistance at home, guiding her schedules and maintaining discipline effectively.
Mahnoor’s academic triumphs span a diverse array of subjects, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, English Literature, Latin, German, French, Classic Civilization, History, Film Studies, and Drama. Her accomplishments stand as a testament to her remarkable dedication and perseverance, setting a new benchmark in academic excellence.
Let’s not forget to invoke Allah’s blessings upon our sister and say Allahuma Barik!
