IQ Scores and Meanings

Human intelligence has always been one of the most fascinating topics, not just for the researchers, but also for the laymen. This very fact explains why IQ tests have become so popular among the masses. A popular tool to assess human intelligence, an Intelligence Quotient test is designed to measure the person's general ability to understand concepts and solve problems. This involves assessment of the person's problem solving abilities, reasoning ability, and the ability to store and retrieve the necessary information. We often hear about people scoring 120-130 in IQ tests, but seldom do we take interest in the calculation of these IQ scores and meanings of the same. On an average, the IQ sores vary between 70 and 130, with less than 70 being considered low IQ, and more than 130 being considered exceptional IQ.

IQ Scores and What they Mean
An IQ test consist of several questions which test the general abilities of the individual. Several theories are taken into consideration when the scores are compiled. Some argue that a person who can answer a mathematical question with ease may not be so efficient when it comes to a question about logical reasoning. Those in support of the IQ tests, however, refute this claim stating that most of the people who do well in one category tend to perform well in all the other categories as well. In almost all the IQ tests, 100 is the median scale, and score within the margin of 10 points on either side is assumed to be a normal IQ score. The details of IQ scores and meanings of these scores are given in the table below.

IQ Range	Intelligence Levels
130 and above	Very superior
120-129	Superior
110-119	High average
90-109	Average
80-89	Low average
70-79	Borderline
69 and below	Extremely low

Interestingly only 2.2 percent of the people who have taken an IQ test fall in the 'Very Superior' category, which consists of people with the highest IQ score. Going by these statistics, almost half of the people who have taken the IQ test fall in the average category with an IQ score ranging between 90 and 109, which is considered to be the average IQ score. More importantly, a child's intelligence tends to differ from that of an adult. Therefore, the IQ scores and meanings for adults also tend to differ from the same for children. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) measures the intelligence quotient in children between the age of 6 and 16, while the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) measures the intelligence quotient in adults. Interestingly, it is also observed that the IQ score of a child increases significantly over the period of time, while that of an adult remains stable, or shows a minor rise or fall, owing to the underlying factors. The fact that any score above 130 is considered to be very superior may make you wonder as to what is the highest IQ possible. It is believed that the IQ of the renowned Italian painter, Leonardo Da Vinci was around 220.

Is IQ Test Reliable?
One has to take a note of the fact that the IQ score is a rough depiction of the person's academic intelligence. It means that the IQ test is not necessarily the best measure to determine whether person's intelligence is exceptional, average or poor. The fact that scores of an individual vary from test to test means that several other elements come into picture when it comes to the assessment of an individuals intelligence through a legitimate IQ test. Even though the scores may differ, drastic fluctuations rarely occur, and at the most a fluctuation of around 15 points can be observed. A person who scored 130 in one test will seldom score 80 in the second, unless there are some underlying factors forbidding him from giving his best shot. The highest score an individual gets would be an ideal reflection of his or her IQ, but the margin of error will always be there.

This was brief information about IQ scores and meanings, intended to highlight what a particular score in the IQ test means. Interestingly, the Flynn effect, documented by James R. Flynn, highlights the fact that the average IQ of human beings has been rising with each generation. You can take an IQ test from the range of online IQ tests available, and assess your own performance based on the information mentioned above. More importantly, some of these websites also facilitate IQ score interpretation and help you compare your score with the hordes of other people who have taken the same test. Some websites even provide you with a legitimate IQ test certificate acknowledging your intelligence quotient.