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IQ Scores and Meanings

According to Wikipedia, IQ reference charts are tables, suggested by psychologists to divide intelligence ranges into various categories. As reference charts, they are not to be taken as absolute or very precise. The reason for this is the lack of a uniform definition of intelligence and the current inability to wholly quantify it in a scientific manner. To get a "true" IQ score, multiple IQ tests must be taken since professionally administered IQ tests are only roughly 96% accurate. The average of multiple tests, usually at least three, is considered that person's "true" IQ score. However, these tests must be taken within a relatively short period of time, normally under one year for three or more tests. For the complete article on IQ Charts visit Wikipedia.

IQ Percentiles Related to IQ Scores

  • 50% of IQ scores fall between 90 and 110
  • 70% of IQ scores fall between 85 and 115
  • 95% of IQ scores fall between 70 and 130
  • 99.5% of IQ scores fall between 60 and 140

IQ Scores | IQ Ranges | IQ Classification

While we were researching IQ classifications, we came across many different IQ tables and charts. Only a few actually gave reference to who created the information that was listed. The IQ classification chart below contains two different IQ scales: Terman's Stanford-Binet and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third edition.

The Stanford-Binet and the Wechsler Intelligence test are the two most widely used tests of intelligence. The Standford-Binet is the best intelligence scale for predicting future academic achievement. The Weschler scales are a group of intelligence tests which are more accurate at distinguishing between different types of intelligence. Moreover, the Weschler Intelligence Test is the most widely used IQ test.

Terman's Classification Wechsler's Classification
IQ Range IQ Classification IQ Range IQ Classification
164 and Over Genius or Near Genius 128 and Over Very Superior
148 - 164 Very Superior Intelligence 120 - 127 Superior Intelligence
132 - 148 Superior Intelligence 111 - 119 Bright Normal Intelligence
113 - 132 Above Average Intelligence 91 - 110 Average Intelligence
84 - 113 Normal/Average Intelligence 80 - 90 Dull Normal Intelligence
68 - 84 Dullness 66 - 89 Borderline Intelligence
52 - 68 Borderline Deficiency 65 and Below Defective Intelligence
Below 52 Definite Feeble-Mindedness


Gifted and Bright Intelligence Scales

We came across these scales for bright and gifted people. No where could we find who developed these scales and we do not know how these scales are applied. We included these scales for your evaluation and you should not accept these scales as a set of scales that are used in clinical settings.

 Gifted IQ  Scales
 IQ Range  IQ Classification
 115 - 129  Mildly Gifted
 130 - 144  Moderately Gifted
 149 - 159  Highly Gifted
 160 - 179  Exceptionally Gifted
 180 and Higher  Profoundly Gifted


To give you an idea of the ratio of gifted people there are in the world, please see the following:

 IQ Range  IQ Classification  IQ Ratio
 145 - 159  Highly Gifted  1 in 1,000 People
 160 - 179  Exceptionally Gifted  1 in 100,000 People
 180 and Higher  Profoundly Gifted  1 in 1,000,000 People

Bright IQ Scores

The next IQ classification chart identities people who are functioning in the bright range of intelligence. The table also gives you an idea of the percentage of people in the world who are identified as functioning in the bright range of intelligence.

 IQ Range  IQ Classification  Percentage of World Population
 70 and Below  Extremely Low  About 2% of the Population
 71 - 79  Borderline  About 75 of the Population
 80 - 89  Low Average  About 16% of the Population
 90 - 110  Average   about 50% of the Population
 111 - 120  Bright  About 16% of the Population
 121 - 130  Very Bright  About 75 of the Population
 131 and Over   Extremely Bright  About 2% of the Population


IQ Scores and Mental Retardation

The following IQ Chart reflects IQ scores of people who suffer from mental retardation. Borderline mental retardation starts at an IQ score of 70 and continues through profound mental retardation in which scores are 19 and lower.

  • IQ of 50 - 70 - Mild mental retardation represents 85% of the population of mental retardation
  • IQ of 35 - 50 - Moderate mental retardation represents 10% of the population of mental retardation
  • IQ of 20 - 35 - Severe mental retardation represents 4% of the population of mental retardation
  • IQ of 20 and below - Profound mental retardation represents 1% of the population of mental retardation
 ICD9: IQ Range  DSMV-IV: IQ Range  IQ Classification
 IQ 67 - 85  IQ 71 - 84  Borderline Mental Retardation
 IQ 52 - 68  IQ 50-55 to 70  Mild Mental Retardation
 IQ 36 - 51  IQ 35 - 40 to 50 - 55  Moderate Mental Retardation
 IQ 20 - 35  IQ 20 - 25 to 35 - 40  Severe Mental Retardation
 IQ 19 and Lower  less than 20 - 25  Profound Mental retardation


Intelligence and Employment

Generally speaking, college graduates typically have an average IQ score of 115 and those go on to post graduate study have an average IQ score of 125.

 IQ Range  Occupation and Employment
 90 - 100  Laborers, Gardeners, Upholsterers, Farmhands, Miners, Factory Packers and Sorters
 100  Warehouse workers, Carpenters, Cooks and Bakers, Farmers and Truck Drivers
 100 - 109  Machinists, Shopkeepers, Butchers, Welders, and Sheet Metal Workers
 110 - 119  Foremen, Clerks, Telephone Operators, Salesmen, Police officers and Electricians
 120 - 129  School Teachers, Pharmacists, Accountants, Nurses, Stenographers and Managers
 130 - 139  Doctors and Surgeons, Lawyers and Engineers
 140 and Higher  Top Civil Servants, Professors and Research Scientists

If you would like to estimate your employment and occupation ability along with your educational ability, please see the IQ calculator

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