London: Once 'Bottom Of His Class' 11-Year-Old Boy Now Joins Mensa

An 11-year-old boy from South London has been chosen to be a part of Mensa, the world's highest IQ society. Dhruv, a student of Robin Hood Junior High who was previously at the bottom of his class, has now been revealed to have an IQ of 162. His parents told the BBC that they are very proud of him, referring to his admission into Mensa as a 'rags-to-riches story'. 

Praveen Kumar, Dhruv's father, moved from India to London  almost 21 years ago. But when Dhruv began to underperform in school, he says he was shattered. "I was crying on the inside. I just wanted him to be an average boy and have a normal life. The teachers said he's not learning anything. (Now) He's completely changed. It's a rags-to-riches story." 

Dhruv is said to be talented in art as well as an all-rounder, according to his head teacher Elisabeth Broers. "He's a happy chap, and that's what we aim for. It's the whole child we are interested in rather than just his IQ." The Robin Hood Junior High currently has 360 students with them, all of whom have incredibly loving and supportive parents, according to Mrs Broers. 

According to Mensa spokespeople, Dhruv's score has been exceptional. When asked what he thinks of all this, his father said that he is just happy and doesn't want to comment on it. 

What Is Mensa?

Mensa is one of the largest and oldest societies in the world that limits its entry according to IQ tests. They take in people with a 98 or above level of IQ and run on a not-for-profit basis. Mensa in Latin means 'table', referring to the organisation's policy of bringing together people to be equals. Those who are part of the organisation forms the top 2% of the world's population, according to a spokesperson representing Mensa. 

Mensa generally accept children, however, the tests that are conductedd for the admission of those below the age of eighteen is generally different from those for adults. The youngest Mensa members to be accepted were Elise Tan-Roberts from the UK and Miranda Elis Margolis from the US, each entering the organisation at two years and four months.