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

Lucas Yuchen Zhang, 11, can now join Mensa after scoring a flawless IQ of 162 - the highest possible IQ for someone under 18, and two points higher than geniuses Einstein and Hawking.

Lucas received the result after sitting a Mensa-supervised test at the University of Manchester on October 23.

Only 1 per cent of those who sit the Mensa test achieve the maximum mark, with the 'genius' benchmark set at 140. He is one of only 20,000 people to achieve the score worldwide.

Messenger Newspapers:

Lucas excelled at piano, as well as the saxophone and violin.  This earned him a place at the prestigious Chetam’s School of Music

Proud mum Wei Song said: “Lucas currently attends a boarding preparatory school in Oxfordshire since this September and when I told him the score he got from Mensa IQ test, he was so excited.

“He couldn't believe he scored in the top one percent of the world and the highest possible for young people under 18. He is really looking forward to become a member of Mensa.

“The result definitely boost his confidence even more. He is very keen to learn something new and always willing to give it his best try as always.”

Lucas showed signs of being a highly intelligent and gifted child from a young age, both academically and musically.

He plays the piano, violin and saxophone, landing a place at Chetam’s School of Music, where he skipped an academic year.

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Lucas, who hopes to become a concert pianist, started playing aged four and achieved the ABRSM piano performance diploma - the level above Grade 8 - at the age of 10

He is bilingual, speaking both Mandarin and English fluently, and took his SATs when he was in year 5.

His biggest achievements so far are scoring the highest scores in the 11plus entrance exams at Altrincham Boys, Sale Grammar and Stretford Grammar, two with full scores; achieving the ABRSM piano performance diploma at the age of 10; and passing his mandarin GCSE with A* (99 per cent) aged just nine.

In December 2015, he was offered a music scholarship to study at Eton College. He hopes to attend the prestigious college in 2018.

In the future, Lucas would like to become a doctor, lawyer or a concert pianist.

Messenger Newspapers:

Lucas, 11, if officially one of the world's brightest children, after scoring a perfect 162 in a Mensa-supervised IQ test

Mum Wei added: “He always make us proud, all his school report is excellent and teachers describe him as hard working, focused and mature in his approach to everything, as well as a true all rounder.

“We would like Lucas to keep his good attitude for learning and hope that he goes on to excel. We wish his dreams become true and wish him all the very best with his future music and academic career.”

And Lucas still finds time to squeeze in some hobbies.  He is a keen swimmer and a member of Stretford Swimming Club. 

He also loves playing chess, attending Wythenshawe Chess Club, and has taken part in a number of tournaments. He is also a fan of Rubik’s cubes and is dedicated to solving the 3-D puzzles.