Einstein's school records show he was consistently at the top of his class in mathematics, often performing far above the requirements for his age. His 1896 Swiss Matura certificate documents perfect scores of 6 out of 6 in algebra, geometry, and physics. TIME Magazine and West Texas A&M University both confirm he mastered calculus before age 15 and never received low marks in math.
The widespread myth that Einstein struggled in mathematics is rooted in a misunderstanding of the Swiss grading system and a misreported incident involving his failed entrance exam to Zurich Polytechnic. This failure was due to weak marks in non-math subjects like French, not mathematics. His outstanding math scores are confirmed by photographs of his actual certificate and multiple reputable sources.
Einstein's early passion for mathematics is well-documented, with his sister recalling that he was "far above the school requirements" by age 12. There is no credible evidence that he was ever anything less than excellent in mathematics as a student, according to sources such as Rare Historical Photos and BYU ScholarsArchive.