Is an IQ of 117 good for a 15 yr old?

Answer 1

It depends on the type of test used. I.Q. Tests are based on percentage ratings of a population in a bell curve. Rankings of the categories are based on a deviation of mean. Most use a deviation of mean of either 10 or 15 points. An average I.Q. is always given as 100. With a deviation of mean being ranked as 10 points, then an average I.Q. will range from 90 to 110 points. If the deviation of mean is ranked as 15 points, then an average I.Q. is anyone who scores between 85 and 115. Those are the only 2 systems I've heard used. Either way, an I.Q. of 117 will place someone in the "bright" category. They would not be considered "gifted" or "genius". Age does not matter. I think at age 17, the tests are ranked the same for all adults. For someone younger than 17, the test results are skewed for a younger age. That is, if a 10 year old and a 20 year old were given the exact same test, and both got the same number of questions right, then the 10 year old would have a higher I.Q. than the 20 year old. Ideally, the 10 year old would get better each year until the age of 17, at which time, people don't get "smarter", but become better educated. Ideally, an I.Q. test ranks how well a person is able to process basic data and fundamental problem solving. It's somewhat controversial, because tests are always going to be biased with "common knowledge" and education. For example, a English speaking/reading person would do poorly taking an I.Q. test in Spanish, no matter how smart they are. The same applies to even tests with math. I you have never been exposed to the concept of squares and cubes, then answering a question like:( 4, 9, 16, 25....... Answer: 36 ) would be difficult. A test like the SAT is very similar to a pure I.Q. test, but it has a deliberate educational bias. There is nothing wrong with that, because the purpose of the test is to predict how well someone will do at a University. Few people with I.Q.s lower than 117 can even go to college. Someone with a 117 I.Q. can go to college, but shouldn't expect to ever become a doctor or other high-end professional.

Answer 2

Despite what the first post said, 117 is above average. IQ scores are set so that 100 represents an average rating. Naturally, there is some innate bias in the testing method, so people with different socioeconomic backgrounds have different scores, but these are only different by a few points. The standard deviation is also about 15 points, so a score of 117 would be somewhere around the 85th percentile (higher IQ than 85% of the people out there). Feel glad that you can learn quickly and please put your brain to good use.



Also, a quick edit. IQ, for the most part, remains constant throughout life. Though environmental factors like diet and intellectual stimulation do affect it a little. Factors like health are much more likely to lower it than raise it, that is, it's hard to eat right and get a higher IQ, but its easier to have a poor diet and lose some of that ability.

Answer 3

Age is not an issue, and IQ is somewhat stable through life.

Between 90 and 110, the IQ is considered average, and 50% of the population is in this category.
From 110 to 125, you are considered gifted. 20% of the population in in this group, with 5% above 125.
Mensa's cut-off is 131 or 133 depending on the test, and 2% of the population qualifies.
At 150, you are 1 in a thousand, and problem begins as you are often viewed as an outcast, a freak, or a nerd -- no wonder, you are usually at school with older kids, who would want anything with you anyway?

So 117 is good, without making you a reject.
But you can probably forget that Nobel prize in physics.

Answer 4

University students have IQ in the range of 124 -135.


IQ Scores & Ratings

Lewis Terman (1916) developed the original notion of IQ and proposed this scale for classifying IQ scores:

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



Today, for the population, the average intelligence is measured as an IQ of 100, with 95% of the population falling between an IQ score of 70 and an IQ of 130.

An IQ over 130 is considered superior and an IQ of 145 is considered gifted. Only about two percent of the population has an IQ of 130 or better.

Only one person in a 1,000,000 is considered profoundly gifted, which is having an IQ of 180 and over.

An IQ score of 70 to 75 is considered borderline mental retardation. Only about two percent of the population has an IQ score below 70.

An IQ score of 50 is considered mild to moderate retardation and an IQ of 30 is considered sever retardation.

http://clearinghouse.missouriwestern.edu/manuscripts/182.asp

Answer 5

You really need to take a variety of IQ tests and compare your results to the average results for people in your age bracket and social class to even begin to get a good idea of how your level of knowledge or intelligence compares to the "norm". In general your IQ is supposed to be a measure of how smart you are and should not be related to your age (the test should take into account your age, among other things before calculating your IQ). All the mumbo jumbo aside, as a score of 100 is supposed to indicate the average score, 117 is good.

Answer 6

What kind of idiocy is represented by some of these answers??!!!

An average IQ is 100. That is the basis for establishing average!

If it's over 100 then it is above average and that's not a bad thing. However, 117 isn't even close to genius so don't get carried away with your own importance.

Answer 7

I'm curious as to where you got that number. An online test cannot be trusted.

An IQ of 100 I believe is average. You are 15, I would say that, given your apparent IQ, you are very smart, yet still have room for brain development and improvment.

Answer 8

Average IQ is 100 and genius is 140. That would make 117 almost half genius.

Answer 9

It is well above average, so you should achieve success if you apply yourself. (Average is, by definition, 100.) IQ's follow a Gaussian distribution, and a standard deviation is about 15 IQ points. As another responder has correctly noted, age has nothing to do with it.

Answer 10

if you don't know, then you aren't very smart. your 115 IQ at 15 is no different from a 115 IQ at 40. In other words, since you probably didn't understand that, your IQ is locked at about four years old. it doesn't go up as you age, and for those "advanced children", it will usually drop as you age.