Maye Musk, mother of Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk, has revealed a 1989 computer aptitude test showing her son’s exceptional engineering potential at the age of 17. The test results, which were shared by Maye Musk, demonstrate Elon’s outstanding skills in operating and programming.
What the Test Results Show
The University of Pretoria document, dated May 17, 1989, shows that Elon Musk received A+ scores in both operating and programming on ISM tests. Elon Musk claimed that these results were unprecedented, stating: “They said I scored the highest for engineering aptitude that they had ever seen. Or, in other words, not bad for a human, as a future AI might say.”
Significance of the Test Results
The revelation of Elon Musk’s exceptional engineering ability at 17 comes amid his continued focus on artificial intelligence through his companies, xAI and Tesla. These companies are developing AI technologies for various applications, demonstrating Elon’s long-standing interest in the field.
Humble Beginnings
The aptitude scores offer insight into Elon Musk’s early technical abilities, long before founding companies like SpaceX and becoming CEO of Tesla. Despite his current immense wealth, estimated to be over $381 billion, Elon Musk’s family had humble beginnings. Maye Musk has frequently recounted the family’s struggles, including feeding her children bean stew rather than expensive cereals after her 1979 divorce.
A Proud Mother
Maye Musk has expressed her pride in her son’s achievements, stating: “My genius boy. Proud mom.” She has also shared that she sleeps in modest accommodations when visiting her son, saying: “You can’t have a fancy house near a rocket site,” referencing his Texas SpaceX facility.
Early Indicators of Success
The aptitude scores are an early indicator of Elon Musk’s technical prowess, which preceded his emergence as the world’s richest individual. These test results demonstrate that Elon’s exceptional abilities were evident from a young age, laying the foundation for his future success.