According to Google search suggestions as of today this is the most common “whats the average” search. So today we set off to answer this exact question. However before we do I figure its best that all would know what IQ really is.
IQ = Intelligence Quotient
IQ is just a number meant to measure people’s cognitive abilities “their inteligence” in relation to their age group. So a child with a high IQ isnt neccessarily any smarter than most adults. The guage by default states that the child is higher on the scale versuses the other average children the same age as an example.
So how are IQs tested? An IQ test or an IQ evaluation rating isnt testing what you have learned, the examination is meant to assess ones ability to learn and how quickly this happens. The types of questions that will be asked and monitored will generally relate to analogies, both mathmatical and verbal. There will be pattern driven questions including spacial and mathematical versions. In addition during a typical IQ evaluation subjects will also be challenged on visual, logical, and classification questions.
The following is an example of a standardized IQ Test question for 7th graders in the United States.
- Which number should come next in the pattern?
37, 34, 31, 28
Answer: 25, the numbers are decreasing by 3
You can not pass or fail an IQ test. You simply rate in an IQ percentile amongst your peers or the study group.
Why were IQ tests started ? Actually they were designed to locate individuals who may have a learning disability so that additional attention and focus could be provided where needed. The Binet scale was the first IQ test and had one single goal in mind when rolled out and implemented, which was to serve as a guide to identify children in the school who need special education to minimize their inferior level. Later as other versions emerged and the data was compiled it was logical that you could spot outliers on the lower end of the scale and so therfore you could also spot outliers on the higher end of the scale.
How are IQs scored ? A man names Lewis Terman in 1916 developed the idea of what we call today IQ. He also created the orginal IQ scale.
- Over 140 – Genius or near genius
- 120 – 140 – Very superior intelligence
- 110 – 119 – Superior intelligence
- 90 – 109 – Normal or average intelligence
- 80 – 89 – Dullness
- 70 – 79 – Borderline deficiency
- Under 70 – Definite feeble-mindedness
Normal Distribution & IQ Scores
The properties of the normal distribution apply 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
Does IQ measure Inteligence? Thats actually a very hard question to answer. After hours of reading what I found is that the general scientific consensus is that IQ is an indicator. That said it is virtually impossible to measure inteligence since inteligence itself has not been fully defined enough and there is so much more work and need in this area to fully understand and measure it. Inteligence is constantly examined and studied and will be a perpetually ongoing area of study.
Some interesting IQ facts as of today ….
According to the Guinness Book of World records the highest IQ recorded was 228. This score belongs to the ‘smartest’ person in the world Marilyn vos Savant who scored it when she was 10 year old. This would equate to a score of 185 as an adult using current models and projections if retested.
Kim Ung-Yong of South Korea has a reported score of over 200.
Albert Einstein had an adult tested IQ score of 160.
Recently a student from the United Kingdom named Rajuri Pawar tested and scored an IQ of 162. There were immediate accolades claiming she was smarter than both Eienstein and Stephen Hawkings. The reality is time will tell. However due to the nature of the testing this isnt an apples to apples comparison as she was scored a 162 against her age and peer group. Regardless of who she scored higher or lower than she is within the top 1-2% which tells me she is way smarter than I and most likely all the people I know.
Hopefully you found reading this as interesting as I found researching and writing it.
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