When 12-year-old Arjun Abhinav Patwardhan walked into the SAT examination centre in Abu Dhabi on May 2, heads turned. The test, designed for high school students typically aged 16 and above, is not where you expect to find an eighth-grader. Some candidates could not help but ask what this young boy was doing there. He was also there to take the test. And he scored 1290 with a remarkable 750 out of 800 in Maths.
That score earned the Australian expat of Indian origin the Grand Honors Award from the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, one of the world’s most prestigious gifted education programmes. Only a very small number of students from the UAE have ever received this recognition, making Arjun’s achievement particularly notable.
What is Johns Hopkins CTY?
The US-based Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth identifies academically gifted young students through above-grade-level testing. It places children in examinations well beyond their current school year to measure how they perform against older students.
The Grand Honors distinction is reserved for students who demonstrate exceptional ability. Scoring 750 or more in the SAT Maths section at the age of 12 is considered highly uncommon worldwide.
‘No Tutor, No Coaching’
What makes Arjun’s achievement even more remarkable is how he prepared. There were no coaching classes, private tutors, or paid exam preparation courses. He said,
“I appeared for ten practice tests on the College Board website. My first score in Maths was 730, and by the end of the tenth practice test I was getting 770 to 780. So, I was confident I would get 750 to qualify for Grand Honors.”
His advice to other young learners is to use practice tests on the College Board website and turn to Khan Academy to strengthen concepts.
His father, Abhinav Patwardhan, said the family was especially proud that the achievement came entirely through independent effort. He said,
“Arjun achieved 750 out of 800 in SAT maths entirely through self-study, discipline, and consistent practice. It reflects his strong self-motivation and independent learning.”
A Talent Recognised Early
Arjun’s mathematical ability became clear several years ago. His Maths teacher at Global Indian International School Abu Dhabi first recognised his potential when he was in Grade 6. Dinsana, his teacher said,
“From the very beginning, I could see a special spark in Arjun whenever it came to mathematics. When he was in Grade 6, he was already confidently solving Grade 10 and 11 level problems, and the excitement and thirst for learning higher-grade Maths were clearly visible in his eyes. He would eagerly wait every day to explore advanced concepts, not because he had to, but because he truly loved mathematics from his heart.”
His parents, Abhinav Patwardhan and Nisha Kawatkar, noticed the same enthusiasm at home. During a parent-teacher meeting in Grade 6, Dinsana told them Arjun was solving high school level problems with ease.
The family began introducing him to higher-grade mathematics books, and he started working through calculus problems largely on his own, with only occasional guidance.
Jyoti Pathak, Middle School Head at GIIS Abu Dhabi, described him as “a sincere, curious, and dedicated learner.” She added,
“His consistent efforts and commitment to studies reflect that there are no shortcuts to success.”
More Than Academics
Arjun says he studies for around two hours each weekday and up to six hours during weekends and holidays. Outside academics, he enjoys badminton and table tennis, which he plays twice a week. He is also passionate about the performing arts.
He has participated in several inter-school cultural competitions and earned recognition for acting and mimicry. He also serves on the Cultural Committee of his school’s Student Council. At the age of 11, he earned his black belt in karate, reflecting his discipline and dedication beyond the classroom.
Big Ambitions for the Future
Arjun is already setting new goals for himself. He hopes to improve his English section score and eventually achieve a combined SAT score of 1550. He also dreams of building a career connected to mathematics and hopes one day to create a platform similar to Khan Academy to help underprivileged children around the world. He said,
“I have benefited from Khan Academy, and I would like to do something similar for others.”
Among his personal ambitions, he hopes to one day meet Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and share his achievements and aspirations in the country that has been his home since 2016.
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Further Reading
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- Dubai Freezes Private School Fees for 2026–27 as KHDA Confirms Dh1.5 Billion Support Package