By ABDULLAH 
Mahnoor Cheema, an 18-year-old British-Pakistani student, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by setting six world academic records and earning admission to the University of Oxford to study Medicine.
Mahnoor made history after passing 24 A-Level subjects with top distinctions, in addition to her earlier GCSE achievements, making her the most decorated secondary school student in history.
Mahnoor’s accomplishments include:
- Most A-Level Subjects Passed with Distinction – 24 subjects plus an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), all completed through one exam board.
- Highest Number of Top Grades – 19 A* and A grades at A-Level.
- Combined Record for Top Grades – 45 A* grades across A-Levels and GCSEs.
- Most Total Distinctions – 58 distinctions across 24 A-Levels and 34 GCSEs.
- Youngest to Achieve 17 A Grades in a Single Year* (Year 10).
- Most A Grades in GCSEs* – 34 in total.
In 2023, at just 16, Mahnoor stunned the academic world by passing 34 GCSE subjects, setting multiple world records that now combine with her A-Level success.
Speaking from her home in West London, Mahnoor described her Oxford admission as “a childhood dream fulfilled.”
“I’ll be joining Oxford in October and I’m very excited to start the next chapter of my life. It’s been a joy studying these subjects, but I’m ready to focus on the career I’ve always dreamed of. None of this would have been possible without my parents’ endless sacrifices,” she said.
Born to Lahore natives Barrister Usman Cheema and Tayyaba Cheema, Mahnoor moved to the UK in 2006 when her parents pursued higher education at Lincoln’s Inn and SOAS. She attended Langley Grammar School before joining Henrietta Barnett School, and later transitioned to homeschooling for her final year.
Mahnoor’s achievements have been celebrated in both Pakistan and the UK. She has met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who praised her as a “daughter of the nation” and an inspiration for young women.
In addition to her academic records, Mahnoor holds an AMusTCL diploma in music, gold medals in Acting and Public Speaking from LAMDA, and a perfect score in her EPQ completed in just 10 days. She is also a member of Mensa, the world’s oldest high IQ society.
Mahnoor’s story sends a powerful message of dedication, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence. Her record-breaking success serves as an example for students worldwide, proving that hard work and passion can break barriers.