• Nine-year-old Indian-American Preesha Chakraborty gets recognition as one of the “world’s brightest” young students. 

• Preesha’s outstanding achievement in above-grade-level assessments landed her in the 99th percentile and earned her Grand Honors designation. 

• Preesha’s inclusion on the highly regarded list opens doors to over 250 advanced academic projects curated by Johns Hopkins CTY.

Preesha Chakraborty, an Indian-American child of nine years old, achieved a great feat when she was included in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth's list of "world's brightest" students. The list was compiled from the results of exams taken by over 16,000 students from 90 countries, which were above grade level.

It is well known that Indian Americans excel academically, and this feat continues their amazing streak. Not only are they well-known for their performance on exams such as the Scripps National Spelling Bee, but they are also well-known for repeatedly qualifying for the championship rounds and winning them. And Preesha Chakraborty proved this once more.

Who is Preesha Chakarborty?

According to a press release, Preesha, a third-grader at Warm Spring Elementary School in Fremont, California, took the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth exam in the summer of 2023. 

Following in the footsteps of other Brilliant Minds

Preesha is following in the footsteps of Natasha Perianayagam, an Indian-American prodigy who was named one of the "world's brightest" students for several years in a row. Natasha's accomplishments show that Indian-American students are increasingly achieving remarkable academic results. Tests above her grade level, including over 15,000 students from 76 countries, were used to get her scores. Notably, out of all the applicants, she had the best grades.

In 2021, while in the fifth grade, she initially participated in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY). Natasha achieved the award at that time after scoring in the 90th percentile of advanced Class 8 results and doing well on the test's verbal and quantitative sections.

Preesha’s Outstanding Results in All Assessments

Press Trust of India states that Preesha's remarkable results on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), American College Testing (ACT), and School and College Ability Test, among other tests taken as part of the CTY Talent Search, are the reason for this extraordinary recognition.

Less than 30% of students are annually selected after a rigorous process, with the results of their tests determining whether they qualify for High Honors or Grand Honors/SET.

Preesha received the esteemed Grand Honors for her exceptional achievement in the verbal and mathematical parts, which was equivalent to the 99th percentile of advanced Grade 5 scores. 

According to Press Trust of India, Preesha's achievement paves the way for her to enroll in any of the more than 250 specialized online and on-campus programs that Johns Hopkins CTY offers to advanced students in grades 2 through 12. These programs cover subjects like computer programming, mathematics, chemistry, physics, reading, and writing.

Also a Mensa Foundation member

Preesha is also a lifelong member of the globally recognized Mensa Foundation, the world's oldest high-IQ society, to which anyone with an authorized intelligence test score of 98th percentile or above on a standardized, supervised IQ test is eligible for membership.

At the age of six, she attained this feat by earning 99 percentiles on the national NNAT (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test), which evaluates students in grades K–12 for programs designed for the gifted and talented. Outside of school, Preesha enjoys hiking, traveling, and mixed martial arts.

Preesha's parents say she has always shown a desire for learning and enjoys traveling, climbing, and mixed martial arts (MMA). This honor highlights her unquenchable interest in addition to recognizing her performance on a particular test.

CTY stands for Center of Excellence

Dedicated to enhancing the field of gifted education via intensive research on testing, programs, and support for advanced learners, the CTY was created in 1979 and is a center for innovation. We wish Preesha and other bright young minds the best of luck as they pursue their goals with confidence and seek out experiences and groups that promote intellectual growth and critical thinking. 

The CTY's Executive Director, Amy Shelton, stressed that the kids' interest and potential for learning are highlighted in addition to their exam scores. 

"This is not just recognition of students' performance on one test, but a testament to their curiosity and capacity for learning," Amy Shelton, Executive Director of the CTY, remarked.

"These students have demonstrated enormous potential, and now we encourage them to seek out experiences and communities that help them challenge and stretch their knowledge, connect with other young scholars, understand diverse perspectives, think critically, and pursue their goals confidently," Shelton stated.