You’ve probably heard someone say, “He’s got a genius IQ!” But what does that number actually mean? IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is one of the most misunderstood concepts in psychology.
In this guide, we’ll go beyond the clichés to explore what IQ really measures, how it’s calculated, what it says (and doesn’t say) about your mind — and why it still matters in the 21st century.
IQ (Intelligence Quotient) is a score derived from standardized tests designed to assess a person’s reasoning ability, problem-solving skills, and intellectual potential.
The term was first coined in the early 1900s by psychologist William Stern and was later popularized through the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale.
In its simplest form, IQ = (Mental Age / Chronological Age) × 100. (Though today’s tests are far more sophisticated.)
Despite popular belief, IQ tests don’t measure how much you know — they assess how you think.
Modern IQ tests typically evaluate:
Important: Creativity, emotional intelligence, and practical skills are not measured by IQ tests.
IQ scores follow a bell curve, where the average is set at 100. Here's how scores are typically interpreted:
| IQ Score | Classification |
| 130+ | Very Superior (Gifted) |
| 120–129 | Superior |
| 110–119 | High Average |
| 90–109 | Average |
| 80–89 | Low Average |
| 70–79 | Borderline Impaired |
| Below 70 | Extremely Low |
About 68% of people score between 85 and 115.
IQ is influenced by a mix of genetics and environment. Studies on twins and adopted children show that:
And yes, your IQ can change slightly over time, especially during childhood and adolescence.
IQ isn’t everything — and it certainly doesn’t define your worth. Critics of IQ testing point out several flaws:
In fact, someone with an average IQ but high emotional intelligence (EQ) may thrive better in relationships and leadership roles than a high-IQ individual with low empathy.
Despite its flaws, IQ can be a useful predictor of certain life outcomes:
But remember: it’s a tool, not a prophecy. Motivation, curiosity, and resilience often outperform raw brainpower.
| Name | Estimated IQ | Known For |
| Albert Einstein | 160+ | Physics, Theory of Relativity |
| Marilyn vos Savant | 228 | Highest recorded IQ |
| Elon Musk | 150–155 | Innovation, Business |
| Stephen Hawking | 160+ | Theoretical Physics |
These numbers are estimates and may not reflect actual test results.
You can’t drastically change your core IQ — but you can sharpen the skills it measures:
Also, developing your EQ is often more impactful in real life than increasing your IQ score.
IQ is a fascinating — and sometimes controversial — lens through which we view intelligence. But it’s just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
Your creativity, empathy, drive, and grit are equally important, if not more so.
So whether your IQ is 90, 120, or 150 — the question is: what will you do with it?