How to measure IQ and determine if yours is above average (2024)

  • To have an average IQ means that you are within normal intelligence range.
  • According to the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, an average IQ score is between 90-109.
  • However, average IQ varies widely depending on environmental factors like location.

Average IQ refers to the baseline score of the general population. Therefore, to have an average IQ means that you are within normal intelligence range.

However, don't worry too much about what your IQ score is, whether it's average or not. IQ scores are said to be great predictors of academic success and health, but they are also heavily criticized as poor indicators of overall intelligence because they cannot measure rationality, or the ability to make judgments in real-life situations.

Here's how average IQ varies depending on age, geographic location, and occupation.

What is IQ?

The intelligence quotient (IQ) score is a number that attempts to measure an individual's intelligence based on their test performance in the areas of verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, memory, and processing speed.

It does this by measuring your chronological age — how old you are in years — against your mental age, which is measured by how well you perform on an IQ test.

There are many different kinds of IQ tests that use various equations to calculate IQ, but the fourth edition of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV) is considered to be the gold standard in measuring intelligence, which has the following score range:

  • 130 and above: Very Superior
  • 120 to 129: Superior
  • 110 to 119: High Average
  • 90 to 109: Average
  • 80 to 89: Low Average
  • 70 to 79: Borderline
  • 69 and below: Extremely Low

When interpreted properly, intelligence testing in children can identify specific learning disabilities, helping educators find the most effective teaching methods. However, treating IQ test scores as the end-all of learning may be detrimental.

"Misuse of the IQ test score can promote a channeling effect where an individual with a low score might be assigned to classes that do not expect students to excel. This kind of channeling can compound itself over a course of years," says Louis Matzel, PhD, professor of psychology at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

It's important to note that many factors affect a person's IQ, including family income, place of residence, and even the amount of physical exercise you get. Therefore, always take IQ scores with a grain of salt.

Average IQ by geographic location

Culture, philosophy, and a country's overall approach to learning can deeply affect how their citizens perform on intelligence tests. That's why, average IQ can differ dramatically depending on where you're looking on the map.

Here are the countries with the five highest average IQ scores:

  • 108: Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea
  • 105: China, Japan, Taiwan
  • 101: Iceland, Macau, Switzerland
  • 100: Austria, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom
  • 99: Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden

Interestingly enough, another variable that may affect IQ scores is rates of infectious disease. Experts predict that infection causes the body to invest more energy into immune function, to the detriment of brain growth.

And it turns out, a 2011 study found that the US states with lower average IQ had higher levels of infectious disease, even after taking wealth and educational variation into account.

Average IQ by occupation

Various career paths generally require different skill sets and ways of thinking, so it's no wonder that average IQ for one career will be different from another.

However, research is extremely limited on this point. We were able to find one small 1967 study that used the WAIS to compare the average IQ scores of male scientists at the University of Cambridge:

  • Social scientists: 121.8
  • Agricultural scientists: 121.6
  • Mathematicians, biochemists, and chemists: 130
  • Biologists: 126.1
  • Medical practitioners: 127
  • Physicists: 127.7

The researchers noted that IQ does not appear to be related to career success. Seeing as this study was small and conducted over 50 years ago, the results may be different under today's circ*mstances.

That said, some experts challenge the notion that IQ score is correlated to job performance — especially for complex jobs — and doubt its ability to predict how well a person will do in their profession.

How IQ tests originated

The Binet-Simon Scale, the first intelligence test, was created in 1905 by Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon. Binet was commissioned by the French government to develop a test that would identify low-aptitude students who can be placed in special schools.

"The IQ tests are about 100+ years old. Their history is problematic on many levels including its use with eugenics," says Daniel Wright, PhD, Dunn Family Endowed Chair and Professor of Educational Assessment at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

For example, in the early to mid 1900s, US eugenicists used IQ testing as a tool to promote racist-based segregation.

As a result, since the 1920s, Black scholars, among others, have challenged the validity of IQ tests and the ideology that Black people and certain ethnic groups are naturally mentally inferior. Many also argue that a single number can't stand for everything, says Wright.

At present, existing intelligence tests are constantly refined and improved to take research advances in neuropsychology into account. Even so, many still consider these traditional types of tests as outdated measures of human intelligence.

Insider's takeaway

IQ scores vary from one individual to another and are affected by several factors. Although it can measure your abstract reasoning and logical thinking skills, it may not encompass the entirety of your mental abilities.

"Motivation, opportunity, and access to resources always matter more than a few points on an IQ test. Find out what you're good at, devote yourself to getting better at it, and do the best work that you can, and no one will ever wonder what your IQ score is," says Matzel.

Carla Delgado

Freelance Reporter, Insider Reviews

Carla is a Filipino freelance health & culture journalist with bylines in Insider, Architectural Digest, Elemental, Observer, and Mental Floss. Outside of writing, she works for local theatre productions as a stage manager and assistant sound operator. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.

How to measure IQ and determine if yours is above average (2024)

FAQs

How do you know if your IQ is higher than the average? ›

A score of 116 or more is considered above average. A score of 130 or higher signals a high IQ. Membership in Mensa, the High IQ society, includes people who score in the top 2 percent, which is usually 132 or higher.

How do I know my IQ range? ›

The IQ score can be calculated with the formula of IQ = (intelligence age/actual age) x100. Here is a short list of the most common IQ tests (intelligence quotient test), other than MentalUP's online IQ test that you or your children may want to take: Stanford-Binet (SB-V) Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV)

How do you calculate average IQ? ›

To calculate IQ, take a person's mental age, divide it by chronological age, then multiply that number by 100. For example, if a person has a mental age of 12 but is 10 years old, then you'd divide 12 by 10, and multiple that number by 100, which would result in an IQ of 120.

How rare is an IQ of 130? ›

Like other variable human traits (height, for example), the range of IQ is on a standard curve bell curve. Most people you meet are probably average, and a few are extraordinarily smart. Just 2.2 percent have an IQ of 130 or greater.

What are high IQ people like? ›

Characteristics of High IQ People

Adaptability: High IQ people are flexible and willing to try new things and explore different ways of approaching a problem. Curiosity: Highly intelligent People are curious about the world and want to learn more about how it works.

Can you have an average IQ and still be smart? ›

Just as having a high IQ doesn't ensure success, having an average or low IQ doesn't ensure failure or mediocrity. Even if you have what is considered a low IQ, you may be smart in many other ways and have many other talents and abilities that aren't reflected on a single test.

What is Albert Einstein's IQ? ›

His performance beats those of physicists Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein, who were both estimated to have IQs around 160.

What is the most reliable IQ test? ›

Which IQ test is most accurate? The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, or WAIS, is the most accurate IQ test.

Is 128 a good IQ? ›

85 to 114: Average intelligence. 115 to 129: Above average or bright. 130 to 144: Moderately gifted. 145 to 159: Highly gifted.

Does IQ change with age? ›

Does an individual's IQ change with age? An individual's IQ does not change with age. In other words: if you did an IQ test now and then another one in 10 years' time, your IQ score will probably be very similar. This is because IQ is always measured relative to other people your age.

What's the average IQ in America? ›

According to 2019's The Intelligence of the Nations report, the average IQ in the United States is 97.43, which was calculated using multiple versions of IQ tests as well as detailed sample data regarding socioeconomic and environmental factors. The state IQ scores were published in 2022.

What is the average IQ of a female? ›

IQ scores between 90 and 109 indicate a normal range or average intelligence. Individual adults usually score somewhere in between the 70-130 range, with 100 being the theoretical average.

What's Justin Bieber's IQ? ›

Somewhere between 70 and 85 would be about right.

What is the minimum IQ to get into Mensa? ›

The minimum accepted score on the Stanford–Binet is 132, while for the Cattell it is 148 and 130 in the Wechsler tests (WAIS, WISC). Most IQ tests are designed to yield a mean score of 100 with a standard deviation of 15; the 98th-percentile score under these conditions is 130.8, assuming a normal distribution.

Can IQ be improved? ›

Although science is on the fence about whether you can raise your IQ or not, research does seem to suggest that it's possible to raise your intelligence through certain brain-training activities. Training your memory, executive control, and visuospatial reasoning can help to boost your intelligence levels.

Are high IQ lazy? ›

Science supports laziness

The data found that those with a high IQ got bored less easily, leading them to be less active and spend more time engaged in thought.

Can you tell if you have a high IQ? ›

Positive signs of high intelligence. Research shows that the signs of intelligence are usually good memory and thinking ability, good attitude and hard-working nature, general and tacit knowledge, language proficiency and reasoning, decision-making, trust, creativity, achievements, good intuition, and problem-solving.

What is the smartest state in the US? ›

Massachusetts

What state has highest IQ? ›

Massachusetts, with an average IQ of 104.3, is the state with the highest IQ in the United States, but only by 0.1, as New Hampshire is the second state with the highest IQ, with an IQ score of 104.2.

What country has the smartest population? ›

Introduction
#CountryAverage IQ
1Japan106.48
2Taiwan106.47
3Singapore105.89
4Hong Kong105.37
77 more rows

Does Ashton Kutcher have a high IQ? ›

Ashton Kutcher

But little do fans of That '70s Show and Dude, Where's My Car know that Kutcher bears no similarities to some of his former on-screen characters. The-now 44-year-old has an estimated IQ of 160, evident in his humanitarian work (he's assisted with the plight of child trafficking) and investment work.

How much IQ does Elon Musk have? ›

Like, is Elon Musk a genius? It answered, Elon Musk's IQ is reported to be 155, which is very high compared to the average of 100.

What was Stephen Hawking's IQ? ›

Professor Hawking, the theoretical physicist known for his work on black holes, is said to have had an IQ of 160.

How much does an IQ test cost? ›

The cost of an IQ test ranges from free to as much as $200, depending on who administers the test. The majority of IQ test takers simply take the test to determine whether or not they are intelligent. There are, however, some practical uses for IQ testing in corporate and academic settings.

How accurate is Mensa IQ test? ›

According to professionals, the Mensa IQ test is fairly accurate in finding your IQ. However, you may have some differences between taking the practice test online and the real test. This is because when you take the practice test, you are at home in your environment without the pressure of the real thing.

What age are IQ tests most accurate? ›

While you can test a child's IQ as early as 2 years and 6 months of age, the results may not be accurate and may in fact change with age. The best time to test IQ in children is between ages 5 and 8.

What profession is the smartest? ›

Careers in the medical field, computer programing, university research positions, and engineering are among the ones with the highest requirements to be smart and have a high IQ. ‍Concentrating on the linked thoughts, facts, and knowledge to aid in problem-solving is the result of intelligence at work.

Is IQ a genetic trait? ›

Like most aspects of human behavior and cognition, intelligence is a complex trait that is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

Is 115 IQ gifted? ›

The mean, or average, IQ is 100. A gifted child's IQ will fall within these ranges: Mildly gifted: 115 to 130. Moderately gifted: 130 to 145.

Where can I get my IQ tested professionally? ›

There are various ways to take an official IQ test, including in-person assessments with a licensed psychologist or online assessments provided by organizations such as Mensa or Official IQ Test.org.

What is the highest recorded IQ in history? ›

The appropriately named Marilyn vos Savant is in a class of her own. According to Guinness World Records, her astonishing IQ of 228 is the highest ever recorded. The daughter of an Italian and a German immigrant, vos Savant was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1946.

Is IQ your mental age? ›

mental age, intelligence test score, expressed as the chronological age for which a given level of performance is average or typical. An individual's mental age is then divided by his chronological age and multiplied by 100, yielding an intelligence quotient (IQ).

What is the lowest IQ ever recorded? ›

What Is the Lowest IQ Ever? There's no record of the lowest IQ ever. However, the lowest IQ score possible is zero.

What is the average IQ of a Navy SEAL? ›

The Navy requires an AFQT score of at least 35. Men who succeed at BUD/S traditionally have AFQT scores of 78 or better. The 78th percentile on an IQ scale roughs out at about 112. Anecdotally, many successful SEALs run in the high-120 IQ range.

Is 120 IQ dumb? ›

IQ classification is the practice by Intelligence quotient (IQ) test publishers of labeling IQ score ranges with category names such as "superior" or "average".
...
Wechsler Intelligence Scales.
IQ Range ("deviation IQ")IQ Classification
130 and aboveExtremely High
120–129Very High
110–119High Average
90–109Average
3 more rows

Do IQ tests mean anything? ›

While higher IQ test scores are linked to increased health, academic performance, and overall well-being, these scores do not necessarily predict an individual's success in life. It is important to remember that IQ tests are only one measure of intelligence.

What is the IQ of the smartest woman ever? ›

With an IQ of 228 (190 in some sources), Marilyn vos Savant is not only the most intelligent women in the world (which is confirmed by Guinness Book of World Records), she is also the most intelligent person in history!

What is Kanye's IQ? ›

Kanye says he scored a 133 on Mensa IQ test, compares his brain to women's bodies - Consequence.

What is Taylor Swift's IQ? ›

Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer songwriter. According to some acclaimed websites, she is said to have an IQ of 160. As a matter of fact, she is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest singer ever to sign at age 11.

Is Snoop Dogg's IQ really 147? ›

Conversation. : FACTS: According to IMDB, Snoop Dogg's IQ score is 147, which is considered to be extremely high and that of a gifted genius.

How much does it cost to be a member of Mensa? ›

How much does it cost to join? Less than a Netflix subscription! Mensa dues are $79/year, and we offer discounts for additional family members and multi-year memberships. You can learn more about our dues structure here.

Is the Mensa test hard? ›

Getting into the elite society is notoriously difficult and is a privilege reserved for those who score in the top 2% in its famous IQ test. According to an 11-year-old Londoner who earned a perfect score on the test, it's "written in a way that any person can do it."

Can you get into Mensa with 128 IQ? ›

A score of 130 or higher signals a high IQ. Membership in Mensa, the High IQ society, includes people who score in the top 2 percent, which is usually 132 or higher.

Can IQ change dramatically? ›

Abilities change, but IQ scores tend to be very stable. However the intelligence ability is changing during the life, the IQ (intelligence quotient) does not. This measure is defined to have mean of 100 in each age group. So the average IQ e.g. in the age 5 is 100, and the same in the age 50.

Does IQ increase with education? ›

Across 142 effect sizes from 42 data sets involving over 600,000 participants, we found consistent evidence for beneficial effects of education on cognitive abilities of approximately 1 to 5 IQ points for an additional year of education.

How is a person's IQ determined? ›

IQ, or intelligence quotient A number representing a person's reasoning ability. It's determined by dividing a person's score on a special test by his or her age, then multiplying by 100.

How do you know if your IQ is below average? ›

The vast majority of people in the United States have I.Q.s between 80 and 120, with an I.Q. of 100 considered average. To be diagnosed as having mental retardation, a person must have an I.Q. below 70-75, i.e. significantly below average. If a person scores below 70 on a properly administered and scored I.Q.

What makes your IQ higher? ›

Training your memory, executive control, and visuospatial reasoning can help to boost your intelligence levels. The best way to train these areas of your brain is to engage in thoughtful activities and games, learn new skills, and keep your brain active.

What IQ is 94 higher than average? ›

Historical IQ classification tables
IQ Range ("ratio IQ")IQ Classification
110–119High average
90–109Normal or average
80–89Low average
70–79Borderline defective
3 more rows

Why do I feel smarter than I am? ›

It's the classic sign of the Dunning-Kruger effect, a type of cognitive bias described by social psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger in which people believe they're smarter and more skilled than they actually are.

Is anxiety related to high IQ? ›

Research has shown that there is a high correlation between being intelligent and socially anxious. The higher your IQ, the higher the chance your social apprehension is higher than usual. Of course, that doesn't mean that your social anxiety should be classified as a disorder.

Does your IQ get higher as you grow? ›

A person's IQ score can certainly change with age. Studies in adolescents suggest that IQ typically increases as young adolescents age, which seems plausible considering that general life experiences and educational experiences (such as schooling) change both the brain and the intelligence.

Does exercise increase IQ? ›

The neuroscience is clear: aerobic exercise is extremely good for your brain. In fact, working out raises your IQ far more than playing an online brain game. Plus, a Swedish study proved that cardiovascular fitness can actually raise your verbal intelligence by 50%.

What is the average IQ in the United States? ›

What's The Average IQ In The U.S.? According to 2019's The Intelligence of the Nations report, the average IQ in the United States is 97.43, which was calculated using multiple versions of IQ tests as well as detailed sample data regarding socioeconomic and environmental factors.

What IQ do you need for Mensa? ›

In practice, qualifying for Mensa in the top 2% means scoring 132 or more in the Stanford-Binet test, or 148 or more in the Cattell equivalent.

Do intelligent people need more sleep? ›

Psychology Today reported that intelligent people are likely to be nocturnal beings, with those with a higher IQ going bed later on both weeknights and weekends.

Do people with high IQ have different brains? ›

People with a higher-than-average intelligence level have brains that are “wired” in a different way, researchers say.

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