What Is the Average IQ?

1. What Does an IQ Score Represent?

IQ scores are basically a snapshot of your cognitive ability compared to everyone else in your age group. Think of it like a percentile ranking rather than an absolute measure of intelligence. It’s not about how “smart” you are in a general sense, but rather how your ability to reason, solve problems, and process information stacks up against others.

1.1 How IQ Scoring Has Changed Over Time

Back in the day, IQ scores were calculated using a pretty straightforward formula:

$$ \text{IQ} = \left( \frac{\text{Mental Age}}{\text{Chronological Age}} \right) \times 100 $$

So if a 10-year-old had the reasoning ability of an average 12-year-old, their IQ would be:

$$ \left( \frac{12}{10} \right) \times 100 = 120 $$

This worked well for kids, but once psychologists started testing adults, things got messy. After all, a 40-year-old isn’t mentally twice as old as a 20-year-old, right?

That’s why modern IQ tests ditched this outdated formula and switched to deviation IQ.

1.2 What Is Deviation IQ?

Deviation IQ is a fancy way of saying, “How far is your score from the average person your age?”

• The average IQ is always set at 100.
• Scores follow a bell curve (normal distribution), meaning most people (about 68%) score between 85 and 115.
• The further you move from 100, the rarer your score is.

So instead of comparing your mental age to your actual age, modern tests compare your performance to that of thousands of other people your age. This makes it a fairer and more stable way of measuring cognitive ability.

1.3 What Exactly Does an IQ Score Measure?

IQ tests don’t measure everything that makes a person smart. They mainly assess:

• ✅ Logical reasoning – Can you see patterns and solve puzzles?
• ✅ Verbal ability – How well do you understand and process language?
• ✅ Memory – Can you hold and manipulate information in your mind?
• ✅ Processing speed – How quickly can you understand and respond to new information?

They don’t measure things like creativity, emotional intelligence, street smarts, or social skills, which are just as important in real life.

So while IQ scores can give you a general idea of cognitive ability, they aren’t the full picture of intelligence—just one piece of the puzzle!

2. What Is the Average IQ?

Alright, let’s break it down in real-world terms. The average IQ is 100, but that doesn’t mean it’s some magical cutoff for being “smart” or not. It’s just the middle point on a scale where most people land between 85 and 115. Think of it like height—most people fall within a typical range, but there are always outliers on both ends.

2.1 What Do These Scores Actually Mean?

IQ scores follow a bell curve (aka normal distribution), which means:

• About 68% of people score between 85 and 115 – This is the biggest chunk of the population, covering those who are in the “average” or “high/low average” categories.
• Only about 2% of people score above 130 – If you’re in this range, you’re considered in the very superior category, meaning your cognitive skills are in the top 2% of the population. Think of it like the academic equivalent of being a pro athlete.
• On the flip side, around 2% of people score below 70 – This suggests cognitive difficulties that might make certain types of learning or problem-solving more challenging. But IQ is just one part of the picture, and plenty of people with lower IQs thrive in areas that IQ tests don’t measure (like creativity, emotional intelligence, or hands-on skills).

2.2 Why Is the Average Always 100?

IQ tests are designed to keep 100 as the average. Every time a new test is made, it’s normed against a large group of test-takers. That way, 100 remains the middle point, even if overall education and problem-solving skills improve over time (which, fun fact, they actually do—this is called the Flynn Effect).

So, Where Do You Fit?

• If you score around 100: Congrats, you’re in the majority! Your cognitive skills are right in line with most people.
• If you score 115-129: You’re above average and likely find complex reasoning and problem-solving easier than most.
• If you score 130 or above: You’re in a small elite group (top 2%), and if you’ve ever felt like you think differently than most people, well—now you know why!
• If you score below 85: It doesn’t mean you’re not smart, it just means traditional IQ tests may not be the best measure of your strengths.

The takeaway? IQ scores tell you where you stand compared to others, but they don’t define your potential. Some of the most successful people in history had average or even below-average IQs but thrived because of creativity, determination, and social intelligence. So, whether your IQ is 90, 120, or 140, what really matters is how you use your strengths! 🚀

3. How Reliable Are IQ Scores?

If you’ve ever taken an IQ test and thought, Wait, if I take this again, could I score higher?—the answer is yes (but with some caveats). IQ isn’t an unchanging number stamped on your brain forever. It can shift based on a bunch of factors, both internal and external.

3.1 What Can Affect Your IQ Score?

IQ scores aren’t set in stone, and they can fluctuate for all sorts of reasons, including:

• 🧠 Your Mood & Stress Levels – Had a rough day? Feeling anxious? High stress can mess with your ability to focus and problem-solve, temporarily lowering your score.
• 💤 Sleep (or Lack of It) – Your brain runs on rest. If you pulled an all-nighter or are chronically sleep-deprived, your processing speed and memory take a hit, which can drop your score.
• 🥗 Nutrition & Overall Health – Believe it or not, what you eat can impact brain function. A well-fed, well-hydrated brain performs better than one running on caffeine and junk food.
• 📍 Test Environment & Conditions – Did you take the test in a quiet, controlled setting, or was there background noise and distractions? Even test instructions can vary, affecting how you perform.
• ⏳ Test Timing & Focus – Some days, you’re just sharper than others. If you’re not fully engaged or the test is dragging on, your performance can dip.

3.2 Why Do Scores Vary Between Different IQ Tests?

Not all IQ tests are created equal. Some focus more on verbal reasoning, others emphasize problem-solving, and some throw in a mix of memory and spatial awareness. This means:

• Someone could score 90 on one test and 100 on another, simply because one test plays more to their strengths.
• Some tests are shorter and less detailed, leading to slightly less accurate scores.
• The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and the Stanford-Binet are the gold standards, but even then, scores can vary a bit from test to test.

3.3 How Stable Is Your IQ Over Time?

For most people, IQ stays pretty consistent after childhood. Once you hit your mid-teens, your score is likely to remain in the same range—unless something major happens, like a brain injury or cognitive decline later in life. But even then, small fluctuations are totally normal.

So, if your IQ score changes by a few points here and there, don’t stress. It’s not an exact science, and intelligence is way more complex than a single number!

4. A Brief History of IQ Tests

IQ tests have been around for over a century, but they didn’t start as a way to rank people on some kind of “smartness scale.” Originally, they were developed for a much more practical reason—to help kids who needed extra academic support.

4.1 The Birth of IQ Testing: Alfred Binet & The School System

Back in the early 1900s, the French government wanted a way to figure out which students needed specialized education. Enter Alfred Binet, a psychologist who developed one of the first intelligence tests. His goal wasn’t to label kids—it was to make sure they got the right kind of help.

His test measured things like:

• ✅ Problem-solving skills
• ✅ Memory
• ✅ Attention span

Binet’s work laid the foundation for what we now call IQ tests. But here’s the catch—he never intended IQ scores to define a person’s intelligence for life. He believed intelligence was flexible and could improve with learning and effort.

4.2 IQ Testing Goes Big: Lewis Terman & The Stanford-Binet Test

While Binet’s test was made for kids, a U.S. psychologist named Lewis Terman saw its potential for a broader use. He took Binet’s work, modified it, and created the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales—a version that’s still used today.

Terman also introduced the “IQ” formula (mental age ÷ chronological age × 100), which became the standard for intelligence measurement. He was one of the first to suggest that IQ could predict success in life—but later research has shown that IQ is just one piece of the puzzle.

4.3 IQ Testing in the Military: World War I & The Army Alpha/Beta Tests

When World War I rolled around, the U.S. Army needed a way to quickly sort thousands of recruits into different roles. So, they developed the Army Alpha and Beta tests:

• Alpha Test – A written test for literate soldiers.
• Beta Test – A non-verbal test for those who couldn’t read.

These tests were the first large-scale use of IQ testing, and they reinforced the idea that IQ could be used for sorting people into different levels of ability.

4.4 The Wechsler Revolution: Intelligence Beyond Just One Number

By the 1930s, a psychologist named David Wechsler thought IQ testing needed a makeover. He argued that intelligence wasn’t just about one overall score—it had different components.

So, he developed the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), which is now one of the most widely used IQ tests in the world. Unlike previous tests, the WAIS broke intelligence down into different categories, including:

• Verbal comprehension
• Processing speed
• Working memory

This was a game changer because it meant IQ tests weren’t just about answering a bunch of logic questions—they could measure different types of cognitive strengths.

4.5 IQ Testing Today: Standardized & More Refined

Over the years, IQ tests have evolved, and today’s versions focus on standardized scoring rather than outdated concepts like “mental age.”

Key takeaways about modern IQ tests:

• ✔️ They are normed against large populations to ensure consistency.
• ✔️ Scores follow a bell curve, where 100 is always the average.
• ✔️ Different tests may give slightly different results, depending on how they measure intelligence.

While IQ tests are still widely used in education, psychology, and even job assessments, they’re no longer seen as the be-all, end-all measure of intelligence. Instead, researchers now recognize that intelligence is multifaceted—it’s not just about logic and reasoning but also about creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability.

So, next time someone brags about their IQ, just remember—intelligence is way more than a number! 💡

5. Different IQ Classification Systems

So, you’ve got your IQ score, but what does it actually mean? Well, that depends on which test you took! Not all IQ tests use the same classification system, and while they all follow a bell curve (where 100 is the average), the way scores are labeled can vary depending on the test.

5.1 Why Do Different Tests Have Different Labels?

IQ tests are created by different organizations, and each one decides how they want to classify scores. Some tests, like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV), use terms like “Very Superior” and “Borderline,” while others, like the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, go with labels like “Gifted” or “Impaired.”

Even though the numbers mostly align, the words can feel pretty different. For example:

• A score of 130+ is called “Very Superior” on the WAIS-IV, but “Gifted” on the Stanford-Binet test.
• A score below 70 is labeled “Extremely Low” on the WAIS-IV, while Stanford-Binet breaks it down further into “Mildly Impaired” (55-69) and “Moderately Impaired” (40-54).

At the end of the day, though, the meaning stays the same—most people land in the 90-109 range, with only a small percentage at the high and low extremes.

5.2 Other Popular IQ Tests & Their Classifications

While WAIS and Stanford-Binet are the big names, other IQ tests have their own classifications too. For example:

• Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities uses similar ranking terms like “Very Superior” and “Low”.
• Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC-II) keeps things simple with labels like “Upper Extreme” and “Lower Extreme”.
• Reynolds Intellectual Ability Scales (RIAS) takes a more neutral approach, calling scores “Significantly Above Average” or “Moderately Below Average”.

5.3 Does the Label Really Matter?

Not really! What’s important is understanding the context of your score. Whether you’re called “Gifted”, “Very Superior”, or just “Above Average”, the key takeaway is where you fall compared to the general population—not the exact words used to describe it.

So, whether your test says you’re “high average” or “well above average,” just remember that intelligence is way more than a label—and an IQ score is only one piece of the puzzle. 😉

6. Can Your IQ Change Over Time?

Absolutely! Your IQ isn’t something you’re born with and stuck with forever—it’s more fluid than people think. While genetics do play a big role in cognitive ability, IQ scores aren’t set in stone. A mix of life experiences, education, nutrition, and mental engagement can shape your brainpower over time.

6.1 How Can IQ Change?

Think of your IQ like a muscle—if you exercise it, you can strengthen it. But if you stop using it, you might lose some of that sharpness. Here are a few ways IQ can shift:

• 🧒 Childhood Boosters – Early reading, problem-solving games, and hands-on learning can give kids a cognitive edge. Studies show that kids exposed to intellectually stimulating environments tend to score higher on IQ tests later in life.
• 📖 Lifelong Learning – Just because you’re out of school doesn’t mean your brain stops growing! Picking up new skills (like learning a language or playing an instrument) keeps the brain active and might even bump up IQ scores slightly.
• 🍎 Nutrition & Health – A well-fed brain is a sharp brain. Proper nutrition, hydration, and exercise all support cognitive function, while things like chronic stress, lack of sleep, and poor diet can negatively impact IQ.
• 💡 The Flynn Effect – Fun fact: IQ scores have been rising globally over the last century. This is called the Flynn Effect, and researchers believe it’s due to better education, improved nutrition, and more complex daily problem-solving (yes, even video games can help!).

6.2 When Does IQ Stabilize?

While IQ can fluctuate in early years, by the time you hit your mid-teens, your score tends to settle. Around age 10, most people’s IQ stabilizes, meaning it won’t shift dramatically unless affected by external factors like:

• Brain injuries (like concussions or strokes)
• Mental health conditions (such as severe depression or anxiety)
• Neurodegenerative diseases (like Alzheimer’s)

That said, staying mentally active as you age can help protect cognitive abilities. Think of your brain like a muscle—if you keep using it, it stays strong. If you don’t? Well, let’s just say your mental gym membership expires.

6.3 So, Can You Raise Your IQ?

Technically, yes—but not in the way most people think. You probably won’t jump from an IQ of 100 to 160, but you can improve the skills that IQ tests measure, like problem-solving, memory, and reasoning.

The takeaway? Your IQ isn’t a fixed number—it’s more like a mental fitness score. Keep learning, stay curious, and challenge yourself, and your brain will thank you! 🚀

7. Does a High IQ Guarantee Success?

Nope, not even close. Having a high IQ might make certain things easier—like acing tests, solving logic puzzles, or picking up new information quickly—but it’s far from a golden ticket to success. In fact, there are plenty of brilliant people who struggle in life, just like there are tons of wildly successful folks with average (or even below-average) IQs.

So what actually matters?

7.1 The Real Keys to Success

IQ alone won’t get you where you want to go—you need a mix of other qualities that actually translate intelligence into real-world success:

• 🧠 Emotional Intelligence (EQ) – Being “book smart” is great, but understanding emotions—both yours and others’—is just as crucial. People with high EQ tend to:
  • Handle stress better
  • Navigate social situations smoothly
  • Build stronger relationships
  • Work well in teams (which, let’s be real, is important in most careers)
• 🎨 Creativity & Problem-Solving – A high IQ might help you analyze information, but creative thinking is what leads to innovation. The most successful people aren’t just good at solving problems—they’re good at seeing opportunities others don’t.
• 🤝 Social Skills & Communication – You could be a genius, but if you can’t communicate your ideas effectively or collaborate with others, you might hit a wall. Many high-IQ individuals struggle with social intelligence, which can make it harder to thrive in workplaces, relationships, or leadership roles.
• 🔥 Work Ethic & Resilience – Intelligence means nothing if you’re not willing to put in the effort. Some of the world’s most successful people failed repeatedly before making it big—but they kept going. Resilience, discipline, and grit often outweigh raw intelligence when it comes to long-term success.

7.2 Real-Life Proof That IQ ≠ Success

• 📌 Richard Feynman – A Nobel Prize-winning physicist who was considered a genius, yet his IQ was only around 125 (which, while high, isn’t off-the-charts). His curiosity, creativity, and ability to simplify complex ideas made him legendary.
• 📌 Steve Jobs – Known for his visionary thinking, but his success wasn’t about raw IQ—it was his ability to blend creativity, leadership, and innovation that made Apple what it is.
• 📌 Warren Buffett – One of the world’s richest people, and he swears that rational decision-making, patience, and emotional intelligence have been far more important than raw IQ.
• 📌 Many Nobel Prize winners – Some have tested below 130 IQ, proving that perseverance, creativity, and social intelligence often outshine raw cognitive ability.

8. Is IQ a Measure of Intelligence?

Yes… and no. IQ tests are great at measuring certain types of intelligence, like logical reasoning, problem-solving, and pattern recognition—but intelligence as a whole? Way more complicated than that.

Think about it: Some people are amazing with numbers but struggle with social interactions. Others might be musical geniuses but couldn’t care less about algebra. Does that mean one is “smarter” than the other? Not really.

8.1 What IQ Tests Actually Measure

IQ tests focus on specific cognitive skills, like:

• ✅ Logical reasoning (Can you recognize patterns?)
• ✅ Memory (How well do you retain information?)
• ✅ Processing speed (How quickly can you solve problems?)
• ✅ Spatial awareness (How well can you visualize things in your head?)

These are important abilities, especially in academic and problem-solving settings, but they don’t cover everything that makes a person intelligent.

8.2 The Bigger Picture: Intelligence Is Multifaceted

One of the biggest critics of the “IQ = intelligence” idea was Howard Gardner, who introduced the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. He argued that intelligence comes in many forms, and IQ tests only measure a small slice of it.

Here’s what he proposed:

• 🎤 Linguistic Intelligence – Wordsmiths who are great with language, reading, and writing. (Think poets, authors, and journalists.)
• 🔢 Logical-Mathematical Intelligence – Number crunchers and problem solvers who thrive on logic. (Your classic mathematicians, scientists, and engineers.)
• 🖼️ Spatial Intelligence – People who can visualize things in their mind and work well with maps, charts, and design. (Artists, architects, and chess players.)
• 🎶 Musical Intelligence – Those with an ear for melody, rhythm, and sound patterns. (Musicians, composers, and sound engineers.)
• 🏃 Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence – Coordinated, athletic, and skilled with movement. (Dancers, athletes, and surgeons.)
• 🤝 Interpersonal Intelligence – People who can read emotions, connect with others, and navigate social situations easily. (Great leaders, therapists, and salespeople.)
• 🧠 Intrapersonal Intelligence – Self-aware individuals who understand their own thoughts, emotions, and motivations deeply. (Philosophers, psychologists, and introspective thinkers.)
• 🌿 Naturalistic Intelligence – Nature lovers who notice patterns in plants, animals, and ecosystems. (Biologists, environmentalists, and farmers.)

8.3 So… Where Does IQ Fit Into All This?

IQ tests measure one type of intelligence really well—the kind that helps with problem-solving, reasoning, and structured thinking. But they don’t capture creativity, emotional intelligence, or practical skills that are just as important in real life.

That’s why a high IQ doesn’t automatically make someone “successful” or “brilliant”, just like having a lower IQ doesn’t mean someone isn’t smart in other ways. Intelligence is way too diverse to be reduced to a single number.

9. Final Thoughts

The average IQ is 100, and most people score between 85 and 115. IQ tests can be useful for understanding cognitive strengths and weaknesses, but they don’t define a person’s worth or potential.

Success in life is about much more than a number—it’s about perseverance, creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. So whether your IQ is 90, 120, or 140, what matters most is how you use your intelligence to navigate the world and achieve your goals.