What is Average, High, and Low IQ score?

Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Published on: 20 Jan 2026

TL;DR

IQ tests measure reasoning ability, not knowledge. Average scores range 85-115, with 100 being typical. Scores above 120 are high, below 85 are low. IQ isn't everything, it doesn't measure creativity, emotional intelligence, or real-world success.

Have you ever taken an IQ test and wondered if the number mentioned actually reflects your intelligence? Does scoring 140+ make you a genius in your class? Moreover, what if you fail to achieve even the average 85 scores?

The truth is, IQ scores have sparked curiosity and debate since Alfred Binet introduced them in 1904. Originally designed to identify students needing extra academic support in France, these tests now influence job eligibility, educational placement, and even self-esteem.

Let’s see what exactly an IQ test is, how can you calculate your IQ scores, and most importantly how much does this score matter in your life.

What Is an IQ Test? The Basics You Must Know

You can’t calculate the score before appearing for the test itself. So, before talking about IQ scores, let's take a quick look at IQ tests and how they work.

IQ, the Intelligence Quotient Test, evaluates the person's ability to reason using logic. French psychologist Alfred Binet first discovered it in 1904 to help understand students struggling with school in France. And guess what? The calculated IQ score helped identify students who require extra care and attention.

The same methodology sets the foundation for modern-day IQ tests. They comprise a set of questions that assess:

Numerical reasoning

Logical analysis

Verbal and spatial intelligence.

components-of-IQ-tests

Depending on the purpose, an IQ test can be verbal or visual. The format varies, but the core goal remains the same: measuring your innate reasoning ability, not what you've learned in school.

IQ Scores: What It Measures and How

Here's where it gets interesting: there's no single "official" IQ test.

You heard it right! There are various types of IQ tests, each with its own standards and approaches. And, if you are wondering which is the most accurate IQ test?

Apologies in advance!

Unfortunately, there is no consensus or data available on this topic. Here is the list of popular IQ tests used for adults and kids:

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children

Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children

Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test

Each test has different scoring systems, which is why your IQ might vary slightly between assessments.

How to Calculate Your IQ Score

IQ scores don't evaluate how much you know or how much you have learned so far.

They measure the intelligence you're born with, your ability to see connections, build logic, and solve problems.

Another fascinating fact? IQ scores tend to remain relatively the same throughout life. The score you get at 10 might be similar to what you'd score at 40. Moreover, the scores are never based on your performance but rather on comparing results with the same age group. Surprising, right?

The general formula of IQ score is:

IQ Score = Mental Age / Chronological Age x 100.

Mental age or intelligence age is defined by comparing a person's intelligence levels with those of others in the same age group. Binet and his teammates considered at least 70% of participants of the same age to calculate mental age.

For example, if you're 10 years old but solve problems typically solved by 12-year-olds, your mental age would be 12. Your IQ would be (12 ÷ 10) × 100 = 120.

Today, most people take standardized online or professional IQ tests rather than manually calculating scores.

IQ Scores Explained: Normal, High, and Poor

IQ scores typically range from 69 to 130. However, it can be below 69 or above 130, the extreme zones. Now, this might leave you wondering how these scores define your intelligence. What is the average IQ? How do I know if I am an underperformer, average, or a genius? Hold on. Here is a detailed explanation.

What is a High IQ Score?

Let's rethink the question. What exactly do you want to know? High IQ or the highest one.

Technically, there's no highest IQ to date. It may go to any upper value. Many brilliant chess players, mathematicians, and artists often excel at 'high average IQ,' with some even shooting 200.

Interesting Facts

Dr. Young-Hoon Kim, CEO of Neurostory, has an IQ of 276, the highest in the world.

Your favorites, Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein, have an IQ score of 160.

Experts generally consider an IQ score above 120 to be high, although it varies depending on the test. About 98% of people have an IQ below 130? And the remaining 2% are often considered 'god gifted' or superintelligent.

What is an Average IQ Score?

Here comes the range, where most of us fall. The majority of the population has an average IQ, with scores ranging between 85 and 115.

Many IQ tests consider 100 as the average IQ score and 100-120 as the high average IQ score.

An average IQ means you have good potential to solve problems and reason. However, that never tells the entire story. You might be more than your IQ score. After all, it never measures your talents and physical skill sets.

What is a Low IQ Score?

An IQ score below 85 is marked as low. And if it is below 70-75, it is often an indication of mental retardation. The person may have an intellectual disability and should consider consulting a specialist.

The table describes the breakdown of low IQ scores and their relation to mental status.

1 to 24	Profound mental disability
25 to 39	Severe mental disability
40 to 54	Moderate mental disability
55 to 69	Mild mental disability
70 to 84	Borderline mental disability

Low IQ scores left you worried? Don't panic solely over the IQ scores. For an informed decision, consider observing other signs, such as difficulty with communication, coordination, self-care, reflex response, social interaction, and while performing day-to-day tasks.

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What IQ Score Makes You a Genius or Brianiac?

If you're hoping for a magic number, here's the disappointing truth: "genius" is no longer an official IQ classification.

Remember Thomas Edison, the man behind the bulb? Although no one ever calculated his IQ, he was thought to fall in the below-average range.

Moreover, Andy Warhol, who led the Global Pop Art Movement, has an estimated IQ of just 86.

These examples prove that IQ isn't the ultimate predictor of brilliance or achievement. Success depends on creativity, perseverance, emotional intelligence, and countless other factors that IQ tests simply don't measure.

There's no single definition of genius. A standardized test score can't capture the complexity of human intelligence and potential.

How to Support Cognitive Health Regardless of IQ Score

Your IQ score might be fixed, but your brain's performance isn't. Research shows that lifestyle choices significantly impact cognitive function, memory, and mental clarity, regardless of where you fall on the IQ scale (Potashkin et al., 2025)².

Here are four science-backed ways to optimize your brain health:

1. Prioritize Quality Sleep

Your brain consolidates memories and clears out toxins during sleep. Adults need 7-9 hours of quality sleep for optimal cognitive performance. Poor sleep impairs attention, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities (NINDS, 2024)³.

Action step: Establish a consistent sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily, even on weekends. Create a dark, cool sleeping environment and avoid screens (also doomscrolling) 1 hour before bed.

2. Fuel Your Brain with Smart Nutrition

Your brain consumes about 20% of your body's energy despite being only 2% of your weight (Raichle and Gusnard, 2002)⁴. The right nutrients make a difference in mental performance and long-term brain health.

Action step: Include omega-3 rich foods (fatty fish, walnuts), antioxidant-packed berries, leafy greens, and whole grains in your diet. Stay hydrated. Consider brain-supporting nutrients like tocotrienols and astaxanthin after consulting your healthcare provider.

3. Challenge Your Brain Regularly

Mental exercise alongside physical exercise strengthens neural connections and builds cognitive reserve (Fisher, 2025)⁵. This helps maintain sharp thinking as you age, independent of your baseline IQ.

Action step: Learn something new every month. Focus on digital detoxification. The key is consistent challenge, not perfection.

4. Manage Stress Effectively

Chronic stress floods your brain with cortisol, which impairs memory formation and damages brain cells over time (Echouffo-Tcheugui et al., 2018)⁶. Managing stress isn't just about feeling better, it's essential for protecting cognitive function.

Action step: Practice stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or regular exercise. Focus on clean diet to control your healthy cortisol levels.

Remember: These habits compound over time. Small, consistent actions matter more than your IQ score when it comes to real-world cognitive performance and brain longevity.

IQ Isn't Everything, Don't Take It Too Harsh

No doubts! IQ tests are interesting and can encourage anyone to take them. But don't let a score define you. Scoring 170 doesn't mean you have nothing left to learn. Scoring 90 doesn't mean you know less or are less capable than others.

A high IQ does not always guarantee success, nor does a lower one define failure. Focus on your strengths.

Read that book, learn that science, play that game, and complete that masterpiece. There's a whole world for you!

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the average IQ?

Most of the IQ tests consider 100 as the average IQ score.

Q2. Is 140 IQ a genius?

In the traditional IQ system, a score of 140 or higher is considered indicative of genius potential. But it's no longer part of modern IQ evaluation.

Q3. Is it possible to increase IQ?

Some medical supplements claim to enhance cognitive function and IQ. However, there's still limited information on the subject.

Q4. How do I test my IQ?

There are multiple online tests available to assess your IQ. The most popular approach includes the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC).

Q5. Can IQ scores vary?

Yes, IQ scores may vary depending on the test and its consideration. Moreover, a few studies suggest that the average IQ score depends on certain factors like age, demographics, and gender.

References:

Intelligence Quotient. ScienceDirect Topics. Elsevier. Accessed January 20, 2026. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/intelligence-quotient

Potashkin JA, Vidyadhara DJ, Hunsberger HC. The Impact of Lifestyle on Brain Health. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2025 Dec 29:15598276251411888. doi:10.1177/15598276251411888. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12753350/

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep. Updated 2024. Available from: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/public-education/brain-basics/brain-basics-understanding-sleep

Raichle ME, Gusnard DA. Appraising the brain’s energy budget. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002;99(16):10237-10239. doi:10.1073/pnas.172399499. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC124895/

Fisher J. Tips to leverage neuroplasticity to maintain cognitive fitness as you age. Harvard Health Publishing. Published April 2, 2025. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/tips-to-leverage-neuroplasticity-to-maintain-cognitive-fitness-as-you-age

Echouffo-Tcheugui JB, Conner SC, Himali JJ, et al. Circulating cortisol and cognitive and structural brain measures: The Framingham Heart Study. Neurology. 2018;91(21):e1961-e1970. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000006549. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6260201/