A newly unearthed test result from Elon Musk’s teenage years has resurfaced online, and it’s left more than a few jaws on the floor. Even at 17, the tech tycoon was already smashing records — before there were Teslas, rockets, or AI chatbots in sight.
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A young prodigy with numbers to prove it
It’s not every day that your mum posts your old school test results online, but when your name’s Elon Musk, it’s bound to cause a stir. A snapshot of a computer aptitude test taken in 1989 has recently come to light — courtesy of Musk’s mother, Maye. Captioned simply with “My brilliant boy. A proud mum,” the image shows a teenage Elon achieving top marks in programming and computer operations. Not just a decent score — but an A+ across the board.
The document, dated and stamped by the University of Pretoria in South Africa, where Musk briefly studied, reveals more than just high marks. It suggests he had the highest engineering aptitude score the institution had ever recorded. Musk himself commented on the post with trademark flair: “Not bad for a human, as a future AI might say.”
Long before he became the face of SpaceX and Tesla, Musk was already building computers from scratch, teaching himself code, and dreaming big in the most literal sense — about space, energy, and colonising other planets. If this test result is anything to go by, those ambitions were grounded in a mind that was already wired differently.
From bargain cereals to billion-dollar rockets
Despite the headlines, Musk’s path wasn’t always golden. After her divorce in 1979, Maye Musk raised her children on a tight budget. In a candid moment shared with Fox News, she recalled young Elon’s cereal-based complaints: “He used to say, ‘I wanted Coco Pops, but all we had was Raisin Bran.’” It’s a simple memory, but one that speaks volumes about the family’s humble beginnings.
Even today, the contrast between Elon’s vast wealth and his minimalist approach is striking. His mother has spoken about visiting him at SpaceX’s Texas facility, where she stays in modest accommodation. “You can’t have a fancy house near a rocket launchpad,” she explained — a reminder that Musk still tends to favour function over luxury.
While sorting through photos, I came across computer aptitude test results of @elonmusk at 17. My genius boy. Proud mom. pic.twitter.com/1MeWDSQ6FZ
— Maye Musk (@mayemusk) May 18, 2025
Genius, headlines and growing scrutiny
These days, Musk is known as much for his brain as for his boldness. With ventures like xAI and the release of Grok, his own AI chatbot, he continues to push boundaries in both tech and public discourse. But brilliance doesn’t always come without backlash.
Investors are increasingly voicing concerns about his leadership at Tesla, where recent shifts in strategy and communication have raised eyebrows. His high-risk, high-reward approach, once celebrated, now feels more polarising than ever.
Still breaking the mould
At 17, Elon Musk’s potential was already turning heads in South Africa. Today, he’s one of the most influential figures in tech — and arguably the most unpredictable. Whether he’s launching rockets, tweeting cryptic memes, or reshaping artificial intelligence, one thing hasn’t changed: the numbers have always been on his side.
And if you ever doubted that he was born for this? Just ask Maye — she’s still got the paperwork.
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Man, Elon Musks been on a roll since the IQ test reveal! From childhood prodigy to billionaire powerhouse, talk about a glow-up. Wonder if he ever looks back at those bargain cereals and chuckles.
Man, can you believe the glow-up Elon Musk pulled off? From bargain cereals to space travel dreams! Wonder if he ever misses those sugar-loaded mornings…
Man, the internets abuzz over Musks IQ test from 89. Bet he aced it while eating discount cereal. Guys brains like a rocket – from numbers to starships, hes still crushing it.
Man, Elon Musks been on a wild ride from IQ tests to rockets! That 89 childhood IQ score is making waves today. Dudes always been a game-changer, love him or hate him.
Man, aint that something? Elon Musks like a real-life Tony Stark, huh? Always pushing the boundaries, even back when he was just a kid. Makes you wonder if we all have a genius hiding somewhere in our past, right?
Man, can you imagine acing an IQ test at 12? I struggled with algebra at that age. Elon Musk has been in the genius game since way back. Wonder if he ever used those smarts to score free candy or something.
Man, imagine being so smart that your childhood IQ test still shocks people in 2021. Elon Musks brain mustve been on turbo mode since day one. And now look at him, changing the game with rockets and stuff. Wild ride, for sure.
Man, Elon Musks childhood IQ test making waves? Back in 89, I was just trying to figure out if I preferred Batman or Superman. Now, hes out there with his rockets and stuff. Lifes wild.
Man, Elon Musks IQ test from 89 got folks shook! Reminds me of my own school days, struggling with math while this dude was probably building rockets in his garage. Lifes unfair, man!