IQ TEST
After finishing an IQ test and getting the result, a question arises in our minds – what does it exactly mean? Psychologists are often asked by their patients if, for example, 114 IQ is a high score, or whether a score lower than average value is a shameful matter. To get rid of any needless doubts, here’s a precise interpretation of IQ results.
145 and more – genius. People with such an intelligence quotient are a very small part of a given society. Their intellectual capabilities allow them to master any science branch, as well as pursue arts. Leonardo da Vinci is though to be the greatest genius in the history of humanity. By analyzing his works, scientists estimated his possible IQ as about 220 points. The great physicist Albert Einstein never took IQ tests, even though they were in use in his times. Psychologists think that his IQ could be in the range of 150-160. Other historically known people considered to be geniuses are: Immanuel Kant, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Thomas Edison and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. When it comes to people still among the living, Stephen Hawking and Garry Kasparov both have an exceptionally high IQ . Their results are, respectively, 185 and 190 points.
130-145 IQ – highly intelligent. People of this intelligence are just 2% of a given population. Their abilities let them make a scientific career, writing books, composing music, computer programming, as well as succeed on many other frontiers. They usually have no problems with getting a degree. Breaching the 130 point threshold is also a requirement for joining Mensa.
115-130 – above average. According to observations made by psychologists, people with such an intelligence quotient are most likely to become team leaders, managers, directors, politicians or film stars. Their educational capabilities are higher than most of the society, which is what lets them achieve success, but not high enough to cause alienation due to a sense of superiority, as is often the case with exceptionally intelligent people.
85-115 – average (normal) intelligence. This is the range of results for a vast majority of people in a given society. A person of average intelligence is able to successfully pursue most professions, but might have problems with grasping abstract concepts.
Under 85 IQ – low intelligence. Such an intelligence level is most often caused by various diseases or congenital disorders. People of low intelligence have difficulties with learning many activities, sometimes even reading and writing, and so must remain under care for all their life.
The above results are in Wechsler scale, the most commonly used scale by psychologists from all over the world, including Australia. There exist other scales, for example the Cattel scale, which is sometimes used in Europe. 130 points in Wechsler scale is 148 points in Cattel’s.