Is My IQ Score Good? Understanding Your IQ Test Results

What Counts as a "Good" IQ Score?

On every major IQ test, including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and the Stanford-Binet, scores are calibrated so that the population average sits at 100 with a standard deviation of 15 points. In the simplest terms, any score above 100 is above average, and any score below 100 is below average. However, the word "good" is subjective, and psychologists prefer to talk about ranges rather than rigid cutoffs.

Most professionals consider a score between 90 and 109 to be solidly average. A score of 110 to 119 is considered high average, and anything at 120 or above is generally regarded as superior. If you scored 100 or higher, you have performed at or above the level of the typical person in the norming sample, and that is something to feel confident about.

IQ Score Ranges and What They Mean

Here is a widely accepted classification of IQ score ranges, based on the Wechsler system that most clinical psychologists use today:

• 130 and above — Very Superior (top 2% of the population)
• 120 – 129 — Superior (top 10%)
• 110 – 119 — High Average (top 25%)
• 90 – 109 — Average (the middle 50%)
• 80 – 89 — Low Average (bottom 25%)
• 70 – 79 — Borderline (bottom 10%)
• 69 and below — Extremely Low (bottom 2%)

These labels are not meant to define a person's worth. They are statistical descriptions of how someone's performance on a particular test compares to a reference group. You can learn more about the exact percentile for any score in our guide to IQ percentiles explained.

How Your Score Compares to the Population

IQ scores follow a bell curve, which means the vast majority of people cluster around the middle. Approximately 68% of the population scores between 85 and 115. About 95% score between 70 and 130. Only about 2.5% of people score above 130, and a similar percentage score below 70.

If you scored 105, you are right in the thick of the average range—perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. If you scored 115, you are performing better than roughly 84% of the population. A score of 120 puts you ahead of about 91% of people. These percentile comparisons can give you a more intuitive sense of where you stand than the raw number alone.

For a detailed comparison of IQ scores and their population percentiles, see our IQ percentile chart.

Why Context Matters More Than the Number

It is tempting to treat an IQ score as a definitive measure of intelligence, but there are several reasons why context matters enormously:

• Testing conditions: Were you tired, anxious, distracted, or unwell when you took the test? Any of these factors can lower your score by several points.
• Type of test: An online IQ quiz and a professionally administered WAIS-IV are very different instruments. Online tests provide rough estimates, not clinical diagnoses. Learn more about the difference in our guide on online vs. official IQ tests.
• Cultural and language factors: If the test was not developed for people from your cultural or linguistic background, it may not accurately reflect your abilities.
• IQ is not everything: Research consistently shows that success in life depends on many factors beyond IQ, including motivation, emotional intelligence, creativity, social skills, and persistence.

A single test score is a snapshot, not a verdict. If you are curious about how emotional intelligence compares to IQ, we have a dedicated guide on that topic.

What to Do with Your IQ Test Result

Now that you have a score, here are some practical next steps:

• Do not panic over a lower score: If your score was lower than you hoped, remember that one test on one day does not define your potential. Many factors can suppress scores, and retaking the test under better conditions may yield a different result.
• Do not become overconfident with a high score: A high IQ is a useful cognitive tool, but it does not guarantee success, happiness, or good decisions. Read about what really separates high IQ from average IQ in practical terms.
• Use it as a starting point: If you suspect you or your child has an unusually high or low score, consider getting a professional evaluation. A licensed psychologist can provide a thorough assessment with much greater accuracy than any online quiz.
• Focus on growth: Regardless of your score, cognitive abilities can be strengthened through reading, learning new skills, problem solving, and staying physically active. Our guide to improving IQ test performance offers practical strategies.

Ultimately, a "good" IQ score is one that motivates you to keep learning and growing, rather than one that makes you complacent or discouraged.