Pakistani-British Teen Mahnoor Cheema Secures 24 A Grades in A-Levels and Earns Oxford University Admission

Cheema, who scored 24 A grades in her A-Levels, was 100 percent sure of getting into Oxford University.





My goal was neither to set a record nor to break someone else’s record. I just knew that before university, this was my last chance to study the subjects of my choice and broaden my thinking — and that’s exactly the target I achieved.”

These are the words of Mahnoor Cheema, a British Pakistani student who not only passed her A-level examinations with 24 A grades, but also made history with her extraordinary brilliance and secured admission to Oxford University.

It is worth noting that 18-year-old Mahnoor Cheema has already made several world records at both the GCSE and A-level stages, and most recently, she set a remarkable achievement by securing 24 A grades in her A-levels.

Mahnoor credited her mother for her success, saying she shared equally in the effort.

Mahnoor said:
“I had no difficulty in studying itself, but creating a timetable for so many subjects at once was a challenging task. My mother made that challenge easier for me.”

Homeschooling to Save Time

To achieve her dream, Mahnoor gave up regular schooling and switched to homeschooling, so she could save the travel time for studies.

This is not the first time Mahnoor has proven her academic brilliance. At the age of 16, she also achieved an exceptional distinction by securing 99% A grades in 34 GCSE subjects*.

Soon, Mahnoor will begin her new chapter at Oxford University, pursuing a degree in Medicine. Both she and her parents are overjoyed at this achievement.




Focusing on One Subject at a Time





Mahnoor described her journey of excelling in so many subjects in such a short time:

“To achieve this dream, I quit regular school because commuting took about four hours daily. My mother suggested homeschooling — it was more efficient and gave me more time.

I targeted one subject at a time for complete focus. I didn’t take any tuition; I studied with my mother’s help. My wish was to study 30 to 32 subjects, but due to logistical issues, I could only manage 24.”

She added:
“I just knew this was my last chance before university to broaden my perspective.”

Chemistry and Biology Close to Her Heart — Enjoyed French the Most

When asked which subject was the most challenging, Mahnoor replied:

“It wasn’t exactly challenging, but French took the most time. French covers everything from environment to culture, politics, and youth issues — but I enjoyed it.

I had to drop German because it clashed with other subjects. Chemistry and Biology are closest to my heart because that’s what I want to pursue further.”

She added:
“Studying all these subjects of my choice developed my critical thinking skills and gave me the courage to discuss any topic.”

Independence Day & Oxford Admission Celebration

Mahnoor said that during her Oxford interview, she was 100% confident she would get admission.

“I told my family it’s as good as done. And when the announcement came, we cut a cake and celebrated with friends and family.”

Her parents are immensely proud of her. Her father, Barrister Usman Cheema, said:

“For us, this year’s 14th August was doubly special: we celebrated Pakistan’s Independence Day, and also the official confirmation of Mahnoor’s admission to Oxford.”

He added:
“The records Mahnoor has set may not be easy for others to break. But in our family, records were never the priority. Mahnoor just asked for help in managing her timetable; studying itself was never a problem.”

He recalled that sometimes Mahnoor had to take two different subject exams at different venues on the same day — but she managed them all with hard work.

Her mother, Tayyaba Cheema, added:
“When Mahnoor’s confirmation from Oxford arrived, we had a family dinner and made it a memorable moment. We never had even 1% doubt that she might be rejected.”

“Time Management Was the Key”

According to Tayyaba Cheema, Mahnoor’s reading speed and memory are extraordinary:

“She can scan an entire page in less than a minute, and it stays in her memory. Her focus is incredible — she doesn’t get distracted by what’s happening around her.”

She explained how time management played a crucial role:
“When Mahnoor went to school, commuting took too much time. With homeschooling, we saved hours, and she prepared subject after subject efficiently. Throughout this journey, time management was the most important factor.”



Parents’ Role in Children’s Education




Tayyaba Cheema emphasized:
“Parents in our society often make a lot of noise but do little practical work. They think constantly telling children to study fulfills their responsibility. But if parents simply sit with their children, that attention itself motivates them to study.”

This was not Mahnoor’s first academic distinction. At the age of 16, she had already gained worldwide attention for securing 99% A grades in 34 GCSE subjects*.

At the time, Mahnoor said she knew from an early age that she was different from other children.

“I was passionate about reading books and learning new things, while my peers had different interests and goals in life.”

In the Cambridge system, passing 11 subjects at O-level is often considered enough, but Mahnoor went beyond that — excelling in everything from astronomy to mathematics, English to Latin.

Her father, Barrister Usman Cheema, admires her intelligence and considers her achievements a source of pride for the entire family.

He said:
“In my view, daughters’ success is truly the success of the next generation. By achieving this record, Mahnoor has sent a message to girls worldwide: with hard work and dedication, they too can reach the highest levels.”

He also revealed that he never imposed goals on Mahnoor; instead, he allowed her to choose her own path.