Common Questions

On most modern IQ tests, the average (mean) score is set at 100 with a standard deviation of 15. This statistical normalization means that approximately 68% of the human population scores between 85 and 115. Within this range, anyone scoring between 90 and 109 is strictly considered to have 'Average' intelligence. Scores between 110 and 119 are 'High Average,' and 120-129 are 'Superior.' It's important to remember that these scores are relative to a person's age group and the current norms of the population (see the Flynn Effect).

The answer is both yes and no. Your 'Fluid Intelligence' (biological processing speed) is largely determined by genetics and early development and remains relatively stable. However, your performance on an IQ test—your 'Crystallized Intelligence'—can certainly be improved. Through formal education, reading, and mental stimulation, you can expand your vocabulary and mathematical reasoning, which are core components of these tests. Additionally, 'test-taking skills' can be learned, allowing you to score higher without necessarily becoming 'smarter' in a raw biological sense. Consistent sleep, nutrition, and cardiovascular exercise also help you reach your maximum cognitive ceiling on the day of a test.

IQ (Intelligence Quotient) is a score derived from standardized tests designed to assess human intelligence. Mensa, on the other hand, is the world's largest and oldest high-IQ society. It is a non-profit organization open to people who score in the top 2% of the general population on an approved, supervised intelligence test. This usually translates to an IQ score of roughly 130 or higher. While anyone can have an IQ score, 'Mensa' is a membership-based community for those at the far right of the bell curve.

This is a significant debate in modern psychology. Early IQ tests were often heavily influenced by Western education, language, and cultural norms. Modern psychometricians strive to create 'Culture-Fair' tests (like Raven’s Progressive Matrices) that rely on pattern recognition and abstract logic rather than language or specific cultural knowledge. However, factors like socioeconomic status, quality of schooling, and even 'test anxiety' can still influence scores, meaning that while modern tests are much more objective, they are rarely 100% free from environmental influence.