Gifted Student Who Entered Seoul Science High at 10 with IQ 204 Sets Sights on Oxford

"Applying to the University of Oxford" Video Uploaded

Baek Kanghyun (12), a gifted student with an IQ of 204, is currently preparing to enter the University of Oxford in the UK.

On the 6th, Baek shared through his personal YouTube channel, "Baek Kanghyun," that he has been studying for the International A-Level exams over the past year and a half. This is his first new video in about six months.

He said, "Many people have been worried about me and curious about my recent activities, so I wanted to give an update," adding, "For the past year and a half, I have been preparing to study in the UK and have been studying for the International A-Level exams." The A-Level is the UK's university entrance qualification system, similar to the Korean CSAT. As a result, Baek received the highest grade, A* (A star), in four subjects: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, and he shared his report card.

Gifted boy Kanghyun Baek, who entered Seoul Science High School at the age of 10, recently revealed that he is preparing to apply to the University of Oxford in the UK. Photo by SBS, Kanghyun Baek YouTube

Baek said that he hopes to study Computer Science at the University of Oxford in the UK. He stated, "I understand that my (A-Level) grades are within the top 1%, and in the past Oxford entrance exam MAT practice questions, I have consistently scored between 98 and 100 points."

The grading system for the A-Level, the UK university entrance qualification exam, consists of seven levels, from the highest, A* (A star), followed by A, B, C, D, E, and U (ungraded, below standard). Prestigious universities such as Oxford and Cambridge often require A* grades.

Baek is scheduled to take the Oxford entrance exam, the MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test), on October 23. The MAT is an exam administered by Oxford and some other UK universities for applicants to mathematics and related majors. He said, "I have consistently scored between 98 and 100 points on the practice questions."

"Called Oxford Directly"

Gwanghyun Baek (13), a gifted boy famous for his IQ of 204, shared an update after withdrawing from Seoul Science High School in 2023. YouTube 'Baek Gwanghyun'

He continued, "Recently, I encountered a problem. To apply to Oxford, you have to go through the UK UCAS admissions site, but those under 13 are not allowed to register." He added, "If I can't register, I can't get a UCAS ID, can't take the MAT exam, and can't even apply to Oxford," explaining, "I personally called and emailed the UCAS representative and the Oxford admissions office."

Baek expressed his gratitude, saying, "The staff at Oxford have been extremely kind and are doing their best just for me, even though I am so young." He continued, "UCAS and Oxford are currently discussing the issuance of my official ID," and added, "I expect the result to come out before the end of September," noting that he is anxiously waiting for the outcome.

Baek stated, "Even if the rules and laws cannot be changed due to my age and I am not able to receive an official UCAS ID, I will still be deeply grateful to the staff at the Oxford admissions office."

If he receives an ID, Baek will be able to take the MAT exam, and in January next year, the final successful candidates will be announced after a comprehensive evaluation of A-Level and MAT scores, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and interview assessments.

Baek entered Seoul Science High School in March 2023 at the age of 10 but announced his withdrawal after just one semester. At the time, he explained on his personal YouTube channel that he decided to withdraw to pursue creative activities, saying, "I felt like I was becoming a machine for solving problems." However, his father claimed that school bullying was behind his withdrawal, which sparked controversy.