A schoolboy who achieved the highest score possible on the Mensa test said he felt ‘very blessed’ to have done so well.


Advik Balaji, who is 11-years-old from South Harrow, took the two-hour test on March 25 and achieved 162, the highest possible score for children under 18, qualifying him for Mensa membership.


The highest score for adults is 161. A score in the top two per cent will prompt an invitation to join Mensa.


His father Gothandaraman Balaji, 44, who is an NHS consultant and doctor at Northwick Park Hospital said he felt “very proud”, adding: “We feel truly privileged and we feel blessed that our son can perform so well.”

Gothandaraman: “Advik took it only as a challenge, it was just for fun."

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Advik Balaji attends Grange Primary School in Harrow where he is in his final year. He is getting ready to go secondary school this September.


When asked about the test results, Advik said: “It made me feel very surprised because I didn’t expect it, and I am feeling very blessed.


“In future I hope it will help me to become a good student and to get to university where they are well connected.


“When I grow up I want to do medicine, and study astrophysics like Steven Hawkings.”


Advik said he believes the study of medicine of astrophysics will be a “good combination” in the future when people can “live on Mars and might get sick.”


Advik said the Cattell III B (verbal reasoning, predominantly) section of the Mensa test was “quite easy”, but that the Cattell Culture Fair test (non-verbal for people who have English not as their first language) was slightly more “challenging”.


The ideas to take the test arose out of a “bit of fun”, his father said.
“Advik took it only as a challenge, some of our friends took it as a challenge and it was just for fun, nothing official, no pressure - I had to call Mensa to confirm,” Gothandaraman said.


Advik has lived with his family in Harrow for almost ten years, but he was born in Carmarthenshire Hospital in Wales, in 2006.


He lives with his Father Gothandaraman, mother Sangeetha, and sister Asmitha, who is 7.


Advik’s mother, Sangeetha Balaji, 38, who studied biochemistry and IT, said: “To say I am happy is an understatement.


“I am very proud. I know he is a capable child but very humble. He has the support of friends, family and teachers and their blessings. We have a very good circle of friends and family and everyone encourages him.”


John Stevenage, chief executive of British Mensa, said: “Congratulations to Advik on his very impressive score.


“Should he choose to take up the offer of membership, he will find a growing community of children and teenagers in London and beyond who, through Mensa, enjoy making new friends and learning new things.”


In preparation for secondary school, Advik has written to eight grammar school and been accepted to all. He will accept one.


His favourite subjects in school are maths and science, and he loves football. His favourite team is Manchester United.