Muhammad Maaz Khan, an 11-year-old student at Abu Dhabi Indian School — Murroor, achieved a score of 1410 out of 1600 on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), a standardized exam typically taken by high school seniors preparing for university admission. His performance placed him in the 93rd percentile among 12th-grade test-takers over the past three years.
Maaz scored 710 in the Mathematics section and 700 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW). These results exceed the threshold set by the Johns Hopkins University Centre for Talented Youth (CTY) for Grand Honours/Study of Exceptional Talent (SET), which requires a minimum score of 630 in either section for Grade 6 students. His achievement qualifies him for recognition in both mathematics and reading, distinguishing him for exceptional academic ability.
Muhammad Maaz said he viewed the test as a personal challenge rather than a competition with older students. “It was just a personal experiment to see how far my mind could stretch,” he explained. He likened the experience of taking the SAT to playing chess, describing each question as a strategic move to be calculated, which made the process engaging and mentally stimulating.
The principal of Abu Dhabi Indian School, Dr. Rishikesh Padegaonkar, expressed pride in Maaz’s accomplishment, noting the significance of such a score at a young age. Outside of academics, Maaz enjoys playing chess, cycling on weekends, and engaging in online video games.
His parents, Irrfan Khan, an engineer, and Sofiya Khan, who holds an MBA, shared that they recognized their son’s inquisitive nature early on, as he often asked questions beyond typical expectations for his age. They emphasized their commitment to supporting his curiosity without applying pressure, fostering a nurturing environment for his talents to develop.
Maaz’s performance highlights the potential of young learners to excel beyond conventional grade-level expectations and emphasizes the role of encouragement and self-motivation in achieving academic milestones.