Mahnoor Cheema, an 18-year-old British-Pakistani academic prodigy, has stunned the world by completing 24 A-Level subjects with top distinctions, securing her place among the most accomplished students in history. With this extraordinary achievement, she now holds six world records, the highest ever by a student at the secondary school level, and has earned admission to the University of Oxford to study Medicine.
Her record-breaking accomplishments include passing 24 A-Level subjects plus an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) under a single exam board without retakes, earning 19 A and A* grades at A-Level, and securing an unprecedented 45 A* grades across GCSEs and A-Levels. In total, she has achieved 58 distinctions in secondary education, a feat unmatched globally.
Mahnoor first rose to prominence in 2023 after achieving 34 A* grades at GCSE, which already earned her multiple world records. Now, with her A-Level triumphs, she has cemented her position as one of the brightest academic minds of her generation.
Speaking from her home in Langley, West London, Mahnoor described her admission to Oxford as a lifelong dream come true. “I’m over the moon and can’t wait to begin this new journey. While I’ve loved studying these subjects, I’m eager to pursue medicine—my true passion. None of this would have been possible without my parents’ sacrifices,” she told Geo News.
The daughter of Lahore-born barrister Usman Cheema and Tayyaba Cheema, Mahnoor has become a symbol of pride for Pakistan. Her achievements have drawn praise from national leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who presented her with a MacBook following her GCSE success. “Mahnoor’s achievements inspire hope and excellence, especially for young Pakistani women. She is the nation’s pride,” Nawaz Sharif said.
Beyond academics, Mahnoor has earned an AMusTCL diploma in music, LAMDA gold medals in Acting and Public Speaking, and is a member of Mensa, further highlighting her extraordinary versatility.
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As she prepares to embark on her Oxford journey, Mahnoor’s story continues to inspire students across the globe, proving that hard work, dedication, and passion can break through even the highest academic barriers.