S’pore boy, 8, takes O-Level equivalent biology exam after coming down from high fever, gets an 'A'

Eight-year-old Theodore Kwan from Singapore has achieved two more A grades in his International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams, this time in physics and biology. Previously, he achieved A and A* grades in chemistry and pure mathematics, holding the national record for being the youngest candidate to sit for both. When he was just six years and ten months old, Kwan sat for the chemistry exam in 2025.

Despite his impressive academic record, Kwan's mother, Crystal Tang, expressed disappointment in his biology grade after he contracted a high fever the day before the exam in April. The family was more concerned about his health than the exam itself. Kwan insisted on taking the exam despite his illness, and his parents helped bring down his temperature before he could sit for the biology paper.

Tang, a homeschooling mother, was surprised and proud of her son's result. However, she cautioned against pushing children to take exams when they are unwell. Kwan, who has an IQ of 154, holds eight national records, including the two A grades in physics and biology. His mother is a PhD student at Nanyang Technological University's medical school and has been supporting Theodore's interest in the sciences since he was young.

With Kwan's completion of IGCSE mathematics and the three sciences, his parents are exploring overseas educational options to accommodate his academic readiness while allowing him to explore various academic paths.