What’s a Good Wonderlic Score?

1. How the Wonderlic Score Works

The Wonderlic Contemporary Cognitive Ability Test is like a pop quiz on steroids—50 multiple-choice questions, 12 minutes, and no time to overthink. It measures your math, vocabulary, and reasoning skills, but the real challenge? Beating the clock.

Here’s how scoring works:

• One point per correct answer
• Max score: 50
• No penalties for wrong answers (so, guessing is better than leaving blanks)

But don’t stress. This isn’t like school, where 90% = an A and anything below 60% = a guilt trip. A score of 20 is designed to represent average intelligence—roughly equal to an IQ of 100.

What’s a “good” score? That depends. Some jobs want mid-20s, others expect 30+, and in certain fields (looking at you, NFL), nobody really cares as long as you can throw a ball. So instead of chasing a perfect 50, focus on what’s expected for your industry—that’s what really matters.

2. What’s a “Good” Wonderlic Score? It Depends.

A “good” Wonderlic score isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s not like an SAT where a high score guarantees success—different jobs (and even different industries) have their own expectations. So let’s break it down.

2.1 Wonderlic Scores for Job Applications

Most employers using the Wonderlic aren’t looking for genius-level scores. Instead, they’re checking if you have the right cognitive skills for the job.

Here’s how scores typically stack up:

• Below 10 → You might struggle with basic literacy and problem-solving.
• 10-15 → Enough for some entry-level or physically demanding jobs where quick thinking isn’t the priority.
• 16-20 → Average range—this is where most people land. Solid for many jobs.
• 21-30 → Above average, good for analytical roles that require problem-solving and decision-making.
• 31-40 → High-level intelligence, often expected for technical, managerial, and specialized jobs.
• 41-50 → Exceptional, but depending on the industry, scoring too high can actually raise eyebrows (more on that later).

Basically, unless you’re applying for NASA, Google, or a job that literally requires high-level reasoning, anything in the 20s or 30s is usually solid.

2.2 Wonderlic Scores in the NFL

For years, the NFL Scouting Combine used the Wonderlic to measure how quickly players could process information. It was supposed to help teams predict on-field intelligence, but honestly? The results were hit or miss—because a high score doesn’t always translate to touchdowns.

Average Wonderlic Scores by Position

Quarterbacks? Ideally, 21+, since they have to make quick reads.

Offensive linemen? They score the highest because their job requires strategic blocking decisions.

Running backs & wide receivers? Lower scores don’t matter much—speed and athleticism matter more than test-taking skills.

But Does a High Score Predict NFL Success?

Nope. Some legendary quarterbacks (Dan Marino, Brett Favre, and Donovan McNabb) scored below 21 and still dominated the league. Meanwhile, Ryan Fitzpatrick scored a 48 out of 50—one of the highest ever—but never won a Super Bowl. So, while a decent Wonderlic score might help an NFL player get drafted, it’s no guarantee of greatness on the field.

3. Why Scoring Too High on the Wonderlic Can Backfire

You’d think getting a high Wonderlic score would always be a flex, right? Not necessarily. In some jobs—especially law enforcement, sports, and team-based environments—scoring too high can actually work against you. Why? Some employers worry that high-scoring candidates might get bored, question authority, or overanalyze things instead of just doing the job.

3.1 The “Too Smart to Be a Cop” Case

Back in 1997, a man named Robert Jordan applied to be a police officer in New London, Connecticut. He scored 33 on the Wonderlic—well above the department’s 20-27 target range. Instead of celebrating, they rejected his application. Their reasoning? They believed high scorers would get bored, leave the force, or question procedures too much.

Jordan sued the city, arguing that he was being discriminated against for being too smart. The case went to court, but the judge ruled against him, basically saying: New London had the right to filter out “overqualified” candidates.

So yeah, there’s literally legal precedent for being told, “Sorry, you’re just too intelligent for this job.”

3.2 NFL Players Who Kept Their Scores Low—On Purpose

Turns out, some NFL players didn’t want to show off their high Wonderlic scores either. Why? Because coaches and scouts don’t always love brainy players—they want athletes who follow orders, not ones who overthink plays or challenge authority.

• Pat McInally, the only known NFL player to score a perfect 50, later admitted his intelligence might have hurt his draft stock. Some teams worried that a guy that smart might not take orders well or wouldn’t fully commit to the physical demands of the sport.
• Joe Thuney, a lineman for the Patriots, reportedly intentionally avoided answering all the Wonderlic questions so he wouldn’t score too high. (Imagine throwing a test on purpose because you don’t want to seem too smart.)

Basically, in some careers, being too analytical is seen as a potential liability—not an asset.

3.3 When Being “Too Smart” Works Against You

Scoring high on the Wonderlic is usually a good thing, but if you’re applying for a job where quick decision-making, obedience, and teamwork are more important than deep analysis, a high score might make hiring managers nervous.

It’s a weird reality, but in some cases, a solid-but-not-genius-level score is actually better than acing the test.

4. Wonderlic Scores by Profession: What’s “Good” for Your Job?

Not all jobs require the same level of brainpower. A software engineer solving complex algorithms? Yeah, they need strong analytical skills. A security guard focused on situational awareness? Quick thinking matters, but they don’t need advanced calculus.

That’s why different jobs have different Wonderlic benchmarks. A “good” score for one profession might be overkill—or totally unnecessary—for another.

4.1 Average Wonderlic Scores by Profession

4.2 What This Means in Real Life

• If you’re going for a job in STEM (science, tech, engineering, math), a high-20s to low-30s score is probably ideal.
• If you’re in a hands-on or physical role, like firefighting or warehouse work, scoring in the 20s or even teens is perfectly fine.
• A copywriter scoring 27? Makes sense. They need strong vocabulary and reasoning skills.
• A firefighter scoring 31+? Not necessary—quick reaction time and teamwork matter more than test-taking skills.

4.3 Bottom Line? Your Score Should Match Your Job

A great Wonderlic score is one that fits the role you’re applying for. If your score is too low, you might struggle with the job’s demands. If it’s too high, some employers might wonder if the role will actually keep you engaged.

So instead of stressing over getting the highest score possible, focus on hitting the right range for your industry. That’s what really counts.

Final Thoughts: What’s a Good Wonderlic Score?

• For most jobs → 20-30 is solid.
• For highly analytical roles → 30+ is ideal.
• For the NFL → 20+ is nice, but not predictive of success.
• For police/military roles → Too high might hurt you.
• For you → A “good” score is one that gets you where you want to be.

At the end of the day, the Wonderlic is just one piece of the puzzle. If you’re taking it for a job, practice a little, but don’t stress too much. Employers look at the whole package, not just your test score.

Now, if you really wanna test your skills, you can try an online Wonderlic practice test. But no pressure—unless you’re trying to be the next Fitzpatrick. 😏