S'pore boy, 7, is youngest candidate to sit for O-level equivalent math exam, gets highest A* grade

7-year-old Theodore Kwan has set a new national record as the youngest candidate to sit for the International General Certificate of Education Extended Level (IGCSE) Pure Mathematics paper, where he scored the highest grade of A*.

Kwan previously made headlines in 2025 for becoming the youngest person in Singapore to score an A grade in an IGCSE Chemistry paper.

The IGCSE is an O-level equivalent exam.

Sat for the more challenging paper

According to Lianhe Zaobao, the latest IGCSE results were released on Jan. 15.

The IGCSE Pure Mathematics examination is offered at two levels: Core and Extended.

According to Cambridge International Education's website, the Core curriculum, which provides a broad overview of the subject, is designed for the majority of students and is targeted at students expected to achieve grades C to G.

On the other hand, the Extended curriculum, comprising both the Core curriculum and the Supplement, has been designed for academically stronger students and prepares them for higher education or professional training. It is targeted at candidates who are expected to achieve grades A* to E.

Kwan took the more challenging Extended Level paper.

His mother, Crystal Tang, 34, told Mothership that when he found out about his A* result, he immediately went to hug her.

She described him as happy but calm, adding that he was more relieved than excited as he knew he had been unable to complete two of the longer questions.

When Kwan finished the exam last year, he had told his parents that he did not have the time to complete the two extended-response questions.

"It's mainly because he's still young and writes relatively slowly, so he did not have time to complete all the questions within the time limit," Tang said.

She added that the family suspected that Kwan must have answered all the questions he attempted correctly to achieve an A* score despite having answered two fewer questions.

Why Mathematics

When asked why they decided on the Mathematics paper, Tang shared that it was because of its structured and foundational nature.

"Mathematics was chosen very deliberately as his second exam to sit for because it is foundational and conceptually structured," she said, adding that Kwan has long shown a strong interest in patterns, logic and problem-solving through his participation in mathematics Olympiads.

Moreover, the Cambridge Extended Mathematics syllabus allowed Kwan to engage with more challenging concepts, Tang said.

"We felt it was a suitable subject to assess readiness for formal examinations, especially one that emphasises reasoning over memorisation," she shared.

Tang revealed that Kwan initially wanted to take multiple subjects at the same time, but the family decided to space them out.

"We wanted to ensure that he can still enjoy his childhood, with time to play, while preparing for his exams."

Sat for the Chemistry paper in 2025

According to the Singapore Book of Records, Kwan was 6 years and 10-months-old when he sat for the first paper of the IGCSE Chemistry (extended) exam on Apr. 30, 2025, at the British Council.

The remaining two papers were taken in May and June that year, and Kwan went on to achieve an A grade in the exam.

Zaobao reported that Kwan also became the youngest candidate in Singapore to take the IGCSE Chemistry exam, breaking the record set in 2007 by Ainan Celeste Cawley, then aged seven, who had obtained a C grade.

Sat in on chemistry lecture at NTU

Kwan has been homeschooled since he was young, with his parents playing an active role in guiding his learning, according to Zaobao.

According to Zaobao, Kwan has a 154 IQ.

In September 2025, Dr. Sumod Pullarkat, a senior lecturer at the Nanyang Technological University's School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, allowed Kwan to audit his basic chemistry course, which covered topics such as chemical bonding theory and spectroscopic techniques.

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What's next for Kwan

For now, the family is prioritising balance, Tang shared.

"At this stage, the focus is to ensure that his learning remains meaningful and manageable," she said.

Though Kwan is likely to take a few more IGCSE subjects over time, "these decisions will be made gradually".

"Any future examinations will be guided by readiness and interest rather than age or external expectations," she said, adding that the family also places emphasis on allowing Kwan time "for curiosity-driven exploration, reading, building things and simply being a child".

Top photos via Lianhe Zaobao and Tang