A 12-year-old girl has been accepted into Mensa after an intelligence test revealed she has a higher IQ than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.
Anwita Patil, from Sale, Greater Manchester, achieved a score of 162, the highest possible score in her age category, placing her above the scientists who are believed to have had an IQ of around 160.
Speaking to Manchester Evening News, Anwita's parents said they had been amazed by their daughter's natural intelligence growing up.
Her mother Anu, who has a PhD in Mathematics, said: 'We used to do maths challenges together, but sometimes I didn’t get the answer and (Anwita) would.
'She thinks completely differently, and this is for things that aren’t taught in school.'
Anwita Patil, 12, from Sale, was accepted into Mensa after an intelligence test revealed she has a higher IQ than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking
Anwita sat two tests when she was 11 which analysed her linguistic ability and lateral thinking as well as her visual and spatial awareness.
After achieving a maximum score in one of the tests, she qualified to join Mensa, the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world, which only accepts those who can prove they have an IQ in the top two per cent of the population.
Her mother and her father, Jay, an NHS consultant, said they were not surprised that their young daughter qualified for membership but had no idea she would pass with the highest possible score.
But the child genius does not spend all her time solving maths problems and enjoys playing piano as well as learning Bharatanatyam - a classical Indian dance form.
She celebrated her astounding results by having a gathering with friends and family shortly after she turned 12.
Jay explained that his daughter, a pupil at Withington Girls' School, wants to use her intelligence to help solve global issues.
He explained: 'Anwita is quite fascinated by the practical applications of maths in various subjects be it science, engineering or computers.
'Anwita hopes that she will help solve societal challenges using her skills and experience when she grows up.'
The schoolgirl, who was 11 at the time of taking the test, scored 162 while Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking are believed to have an IQ of around 160
Her parents took her for an intelligence test after she was getting maths problems correct that her mother, who has a PhD in the subject, could not answer
She will now join 18,000 other members of Mensa in the UK and Ireland, which aims to provide a 'stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members.'
Founded in 1946 in Oxford by Lancelot Lionel Ware, a scientist and lawyer, and Roland Berrill, an Australian barrister, the organisation encourages those with lively minds to interact with each other at events, meetings or by chatting online.
Members are asked to prove their IQ where the average adult has an IQ of 100 and a score above 140 is considered to be that of a genius.
One of the tests, the Cattell III B, has 150 questions which assess comprehension through passages of texts.
The maximum possible score is 161 for adults, and 162 for under-18s.
How to know if your child is 'gifted'
A 'gifted' child has an IQ in the top five per cent of the population. They may display the following behaviours:
- An unusual memory
- Passing intellectual milestones early
- Reading early
- Unusual hobbies or interests or an in-depth knowledge of certain subjects
- Intolerance of other children
- An awareness of world events
- Set themselves impossibly high standards
- May be a high achiever
- Prefers to spend time with adults or in solitary pursuits
- Loves to talk
- Asks questions all the time
- Learns easily
- Developed sense of humour
- Musical
- Likes to be in control
- Makes up additional rules for games
- May be either an extrovert or introvert
Source: Mensa
