A SCHOOLGIRL has been found to have a higher IQ than legendary physicists Albert Einstein and professor Stephen Hawking – making her one of the smartest children in the world.

Rajgauri Pawar, who lives in Sale, has been invited to join Mensa after passing its famous IQ test with flying colours.

The 12-year-old sat the British Mensa IQ Test in Manchester last month, and scored an incredible 162 – the highest possible IQ for someone under 18, and two points higher than geniuses Einstein and Hawking.

Only one per cent of those who sit the Mensa test achieve the maximum mark, with the 'genius' benchmark set at 140. Rajgauri is one of only 20,000 people to achieve the score worldwide.

Rajgauri, who is a year 7 pupil at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, said: "I was a little nervous before the test but it was fine and I'm really pleased to have done so well."

Rajgauri will now be joining the elite British Mensa IQ Society as a member.

Her father, Dr. Surajkumar Pawar, said: "This wouldn't have been possible without the efforts of her teachers and the support which my daughter enjoys every day at school."

Rajgauri’s teachers and fellow students at Altrincham Girls' Grammar School (AGGS) were delighted with the news of her perfect score.

"We are very proud of Rajgauri," said Andrew Barry, her maths teacher. "Everybody is delighted. She is a very well-liked student and we all expect great things from her."