IQ 117: The 87th Percentile — High Average, Above Average, and What It Means in Practice

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

If you scored 117 on an IQ test, the first question is usually some version of: is this actually good, or just slightly above normal? The precise answer matters — and most articles either overstate it or understate it. This guide gives you the exact statistics, the correct classification, what research shows about outcomes at this level, and a realistic picture of career fit and cognitive strengths. For the full IQ range context, see the IQ Scores guide.

IQ 117: The Exact Statistics

On the standard bell curve (mean = 100, SD = 15), a score of 117 sits 1.13 standard deviations above the population mean, placing it at the 87th percentile. You score higher than approximately 87% of the general population. Roughly 1 in 8 people score at this level or above.

IQ Score Percentile SD Above Mean Rarity
100 50th 0.0 1 in 2
110 75th +0.67 1 in 4
115 84th +1.0 1 in 6
117 87th +1.13 ~1 in 8
120 91st +1.33 1 in 11
126 96th +1.73 1 in 25

On the WAIS-IV, IQ 117 is classified as High Average — the band covering 110–119. One useful reference point: IQ 115 is exactly 1 standard deviation above the mean (84th percentile). IQ 117 moves 3 points beyond that milestone, into the 87th percentile — a meaningful shift in statistical terms even if the cognitive experience is similar. To understand the full classification framework, read The IQ Scale Explained and What Is IQ.

For neighboring score comparisons: IQ 115 at the 84th percentile, IQ 119 at the 90th, and IQ 120 at the 91st — the boundary into the Superior range.

So: Above Average or Just Normal?

The direct answer: genuinely above average — not marginally. An IQ of 117 places you in the top 13% of the general population. To put that concretely: if you walked into a room of 100 randomly selected adults, approximately 87 would score lower than you on a standardized IQ test.

IQ comparison chart — IQ 115 vs 117 vs 120 showing percentile and rarity differences

The word "normal" is statistically meaningful: roughly 68% of people score between 85 and 115, the central one-standard-deviation band. IQ 117 is above that band, outside the average clustering range. It is not in the Superior range (120–129) and well below the Gifted threshold (130+), but it is a measurable, consistent cognitive advantage over the population majority. The question worth asking is not "is this above average?" but "what does this mean in practice?"

IQ 117 is not a stepping stone to genius — it is a solid foundation for nearly any professional or academic goal that matters to you.

What Research Says About IQ 117 Outcomes

Gottfredson's landmark research on occupational IQ thresholds is the most practical lens for understanding what IQ 117 means in the real world. Her analysis shows that most professional and technical careers have cognitive demands in the 100–115 range — meaning IQ 117 exceeds the typical threshold for most mainstream careers. At this level, cognitive capacity is rarely the limiting factor in professional performance. What differentiates outcomes is domain expertise, work ethic, communication skill, and emotional intelligence.

Research on graduate school average IQs clusters most programs in the 115–125 range. IQ 117 sits at the lower bound of that range, making graduate-level study cognitively accessible — with sustained effort and strong domain preparation playing an increasingly important role the further into specialization you go.

See average IQ by profession, IQ and income research, and average IQ by education level for data across different fields and academic tracks.

Cognitive Traits at IQ 117

Cognitive traits at IQ 117 — verbal reasoning, logical thinking, working memory, problem-solving

1. Strong Verbal Reasoning

People in the High Average range typically show above-average verbal comprehension — the ability to understand, evaluate, and express complex ideas through language. This manifests as articulate communication, persuasive writing, and the ability to adapt explanation to different audiences. It is directly relevant to law, education, management, marketing, and any communication-heavy role. For more on this dimension, see the Linguistic Intelligence guide.

2. Reliable Logical Analysis

IQ 117 supports consistent analytical reasoning — breaking complex situations into component parts, evaluating cause and effect, and identifying the most productive path through ambiguous problems. This is less the "intuitive leap" style of very high-range intelligence and more the reliable, methodical reasoning that most professional environments depend on. The IQ vs critical thinking guide explores how these two capacities relate.

3. Above-Average Working Memory

Working memory — the ability to hold and manipulate multiple pieces of information simultaneously — is typically above average at IQ 117, enabling effective multi-step planning, following complex instructions, and tracking several variables at once. This is practically relevant in project management, healthcare, data work, and any role requiring sustained cognitive load. See the IQ and Memory guide for the research behind this connection.

4. Cognitive Flexibility

People at this level adapt reasonably well when initial approaches don't work — shifting frameworks, incorporating new information, and updating their understanding without significant resistance. This cognitive flexibility is particularly valuable in fast-changing environments: technology, healthcare, management, and creative fields.

5. Effective Pattern Recognition

IQ 117 supports reliable pattern detection — identifying trends in data, structural similarities across problems, and recurring dynamics in social or professional situations. This is the cognitive basis of good strategic thinking, useful across analytics, marketing, education, and research.

Best Career Paths for IQ 117

At IQ 117, the relevant question is not "what careers can I access?" but "which environments will challenge and reward me over time?" Cognitive ability at this level opens a very wide range of professional doors — the key is matching your strengths with the right domain.

Career paths for IQ 117 — nurse, teacher, project manager, UX designer, analyst

Healthcare and Human Services

Education and Training

Technology and Analysis

Business and Management

For broader career context, see jobs for IQ 110–120 and average IQ by profession. For comparison with the score range just below, see IQ 110 and IQ 116.

What IQ 117 Does Not Tell You

IQ 117 measures specific cognitive capacities — abstract reasoning, working memory, processing speed, verbal comprehension. It does not measure:

Research consistently shows that at the High Average IQ level, these non-cognitive factors become the primary differentiators in career and life outcomes. Understanding your full profile matters as much as your IQ score. Consider taking the EQ Test, reading IQ vs EQ, and exploring MBTI or DISC for a broader picture of how you think and interact.

IQ 117 Is Not Fixed

All IQ scores carry measurement variance of ±5–10 points — an observed 117 means the true score likely ranges from approximately 107 to 127. Environmental factors including sleep, stress, test familiarity, and language background affect results meaningfully. Research on neuroplasticity confirms that cognitive performance responds to sustained intellectual demand throughout adulthood, and the Flynn Effect demonstrates that measured IQ across populations responds significantly to environmental improvements — better education, nutrition, and cognitively demanding environments. Read whether IQ can be improved for what the evidence actually supports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentile is IQ 117?

IQ 117 corresponds to the 87th percentile — meaning you score higher than approximately 87% of the general population. It sits 1.13 standard deviations above the mean on a standard SD-15 scale. Roughly 1 in 8 people score at this level or above.

Is IQ 117 considered above average?

Yes — clearly. IQ 117 is classified as High Average on the WAIS-IV and places you in the top 13% of the population. It is above the 84th percentile milestone marked by IQ 115 (exactly 1 SD above mean). It is below the Superior range (120+) and well below Gifted (130+), but it is a genuine, measurable cognitive advantage over the population majority.

What is the difference between IQ 115 and IQ 117?

IQ 115 is exactly 1 standard deviation above the mean, at the 84th percentile (1 in 6). IQ 117 is 1.13 standard deviations above the mean, at the 87th percentile (1 in 8). Both fall in the High Average classification on WAIS-IV. The 3-point difference is modest in cognitive experience but represents a meaningful rarity shift statistically.

Is IQ 117 enough for college or graduate school?

Yes. IQ 117 is well above the cognitive baseline for undergraduate success and sufficient for most graduate programs. Research suggests graduate school averages cluster in the 115–125 range — IQ 117 sits at the lower end of that band, meaning sustained effort, domain preparation, and strong study habits become increasingly important alongside cognitive ability at this level.

How does IQ 117 compare to IQ 110 or IQ 120?

IQ 110 sits at the 75th percentile (1 in 4), IQ 117 at the 87th (1 in 8), and IQ 120 at the 91st (1 in 11). IQ 120 also marks the boundary into the Superior classification. IQ 117 is meaningfully above both the population average and the IQ 110 High Average lower bound, and a few points below the Superior threshold. See IQ 110 and IQ 120 for detailed comparisons.

David Johnson - Founder of CheckIQFree

About the Author

David Johnson is the founder of CheckIQFree. With a background in Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience, and Educational Technology, he holds a Master’s degree in Cognitive Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.

David has over 10 years of experience in psychometric research and assessment design. His work references studies such as Raven’s Progressive Matrices and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) .

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