Normal IQ Score

IQ also referred to as intelligence quotient is used to measure a person's intelligence. More the IQ, more intelligent is the person. When we come across the abbreviation: IQ, many kinds of questions arise in our minds. Like, what is a good IQ score? What does it actually count? What are average IQ scores? etc. An IQ score of around 100 is said to be a normal IQ score.

Ways To Calculate IQ

Original IQ Score Calculation
Previously, IQ score was a ratio of mental age (MA) to chronological age (CA) and then this ratio was multiplied by 100.
i.e. IQ = MA/CA*100
If your IQ score is above 100, then it means that your mental age is more than your chronological age.

Modern IQ Test Scores
These days psychologists do not use the above method for calculating the IQ. They use the statistical method which reflects a person's intelligence. The normal IQ score is 100 and many people's IQ score is clustered around 100.

What Do IQ Tests Measure?

IQ scores measure the intelligence quotient of a person. According to the result obtained, a person's intelligence is measured. People having an average IQ score of 100 are said to be sufficiently intelligent.

IQ Score Interpretation

The following table will tell you the IQ score and amount of intelligence corresponding to that score.

IQ Score	Intelligence
140 +	Genius and above
120 to 140	Very superior intelligence
110 to 119	Superior intelligence
90 to 109	Normal or average intelligence
80 to 89	Dull
70 to 79	Borderline deficiency
Under 70	Definite feeble mindedness

IQ Scores and Normal Distribution

The characteristics of normal distribution applies to IQ scores as well. 50% of IQ scores range from 90 to 110 while 70% range from 85 to 115. 95% falls between 70 to 130 and 99.5% ranges from 60 to 140, forming a bell shaped curve of normal distribution of IQ among the general population.

IQ and Mental Retardation

People who have an IQ below 70 are said to suffer from mental retardation and almost 5% of people in any population have an IQ below 70. The severity of mental retardation is divided into four levels as given.

People whose IQ ranges from 50 to 70 are said to suffer from mild mental retardation. Almost 85% of people in this category, suffer from mild retardation. 10% of people suffer from moderate mental retardation which ranges from 35 to 50. People whose IQ ranges from 20 to 35 are said to suffer from severe mental retardation and almost 4% of people suffer from this kind of retardation. People whose IQ ranges from 20 to 35 are said to suffer from severe mental retardation while those whose IQ is below 20 suffer from profound mental retardation. 4% of people suffer from severe mental retardation while 1% suffer from profound mental retardation wherein they are not able to function independently and are totally dependent on others. While the mild, moderate and severe mentally retarded can be trained partially in activities of daily living or vocational training, the profoundly retarded have to be institutionalized.

IQ and Genius

People whose IQ is above 140 are said to be genius and only 1 person among 400 have this IQ level. Individuals whose IQ ranges from 115 to 124 are said to be about average and mostly university students have this level of IQ while IQ level of students pursuing their post graduation ranges from 125 to 134. The IQ range of intellectuals is from 135 to 144. Professors are the actual genius people and their IQ ranges from 145 to 154 while noble prize winners have an IQ range of 155 to 164. Extremely gifted individuals have an IQ of 165 to 200 while people whose IQ is above 200, are said to be super genius.

Most of us have a normal IQ score but there are two extremes of which a few are super genius, having IQs of more than 150 while some at the other extreme have a very low IQ. People at the extremes of the normal distribution curve of intelligence and those with average intelligence, in fact anyone, may suffer from mental illnesses due to emotional or maladjustment problems. Hence, nowadays, emotional intelligence or emotional quotient (EQ) is becoming more important than IQ for a successful life.