For most students across England, A-level results day brings the mix of relief, nerves, and celebration that comes with finding out whether three subjects have gone well enough to reach university goals.
But for one extraordinary teenager, three wasn’t anywhere near enough.
Instead, she sat an incredible 23 A-levels—and passed them with flying colors.
Meet Mahnoor Cheema
At just 18 years old, Mahnoor Cheema from Slough has achieved something almost unheard of.
With an IQ of 161—slightly higher than that of legendary physicist Stephen Hawking—she has managed to secure A and A* grades across 23 A-level subjects.
Her achievement has earned her an unconditional offer to study medicine at the University of Oxford, something she has dreamed about since childhood.
The Road Wasn’t Easy
Despite her talent and determination, Mahnoor’s journey wasn’t completely smooth.
At her school, Henrietta Barnett in north-west London, her ambitious plan to sit 31 A-levels raised eyebrows. Staff questioned her ability to balance so many subjects and even flagged her attendance record because she missed lessons to sit exams.
Eventually, she and the school reached a compromise—agreeing on 23 subjects.
Even then, it was more than seven times the average number most students take.
A Passion for Learning
From her very first months in sixth form, Mahnoor proved she could handle the workload, securing four A* grades almost immediately.
She went on to take exams in a wide range of subjects, from environmental management and marine science to English language, sociology, politics, and classical civilisation.
She insists that the challenge wasn’t overwhelming, explaining that she thrives on being busy. In her words:
“I would be bored and understimulated if I only did three A-levels. Burnout is a choice—I enjoy what I’m doing.”
A Strong Academic Foundation
This determination isn’t new for Mahnoor. Before her A-level success, she sat 34 GCSEs, achieving a near-perfect record of top grades—33 grade 9s and one grade 8.
Much of this work was done independently at home, with the support of her mother, Tayyaba, who herself holds a master’s degree in Economics.
Her hard work has consistently paid off. By January, Mahnoor had already secured the science A-levels she needed and received her unconditional offer from Oxford’s Exeter College.
Results That Speak for Themselves
On A-level results day, Mahnoor added even more subjects to her long list of achievements, including French, History, Law, and Physics.
Her final tally of 23 included psychology, economics, business, law, further maths, chemistry, biology, computer science, and even film studies.
For Mahnoor, this was never in doubt:
“I was absolutely set on it—there was not a world in my mind where I would not get into Oxford.
If I didn’t get in, I would have reapplied.”
A Love of Learning from the Start
Mahnoor’s thirst for knowledge began early. By the age of six, she had already read the entire Harry Potter series.
By 11, she had memorized the Oxford English Dictionary—a feat that hinted at the academic heights she would later reach.
Her mother describes her as “quite different” from a young age, and her results certainly back that up.
One Story Among Many
Mahnoor may have grabbed headlines, but she wasn’t the only student celebrating big results this year.
At Brampton Manor in East Ham, more than half of pupils achieved all A or A* grades, with dozens heading off to Oxford, Cambridge, and other top universities.
Across the UK, 28.3 percent of pupils earned A or A* grades this year—slightly higher than the year before, and well above the pre-pandemic average.
Oxford Awaits
For Mahnoor, though, the next chapter is already decided.
With her offer secured, she’ll now begin life at Oxford University, training to become a doctor.
Her relentless determination and extraordinary passion for learning have paved the way for a future as remarkable as her exam record.