Child's IQ 118 , so what is average?

Question

My son was tested at school for the gifted program(at his teachers request) he tested at 118, they told me that was above average for a 10 y/o, but that the cut off is 126. My question is what is average, above average. etc. and what is considered normal. My son of course thinks he flunked..and I am trying to explain to him that this isn't a pass/fail kinda thing , and that he is still very smart and well loved by me! Any insite would be great (for me and him) thanks!

Answer 1

honey, he's genius compared to some of the adults i know....i'm 37 and i tested a year ago at 148...with only a h/s diploma, minimal college, and life experience.... i dont know what the avg for 10yrs should be,(you'd think somewhere in that 148 i'd have that info tucked away wouldnt you? LOL) but its a comparison
go here for more info on child testing and calculating...http://www.psychologicaltesting.com/iqtest.htm

Answer 2

The average IQ is 100. The IQ is not a static thing and can be increased by taking IQ tests.
The IQ test they gave him is probably for 10 yr olds... They modify it with the age bracket. So if he's not stimulated then the IQ stays stagnant. Also, there have been cases where the minds of the children have been stimulated and the IQ has increased dramatically and then they bring the children back to the preivous environment and they see the IQs falling back to their original baselines. So keep that in mind too.
Exercise increases IQ points. There was a study done in Oxford that showed that students who exercised had 10 IQ points higher than those who didn't.
But all that being said, the IQ is not the important factor toward success of a person. It can only predict a person's success by 25%. The EQ (emotional quotient) is more important and can predict the success of a person up to 75%. Develop the EQ and you'll have a more happy well rounded kid. Develop the IQ only and you'll have a super nerd on your hands :)

Answer 3

At the age of 24, as a favour to a friend (a Doctor of Botany with a Pilot's License), I took part in a University study which included an IQ test and I got the result back for the first time. That cut off you mentioned would have left me with a scratch or two and I beat my highly qualified (and more heavily scratched) pal by two points. IQ doesn't reflect academic achievement. It's more about depth and breadth of understanding and not about amounts of knowledge.

To score 118 at 10 is very decent, I think. I don't know what my score was at that age but, if it were that or there about, I'd be comfortable with it. It shows a very healthy general aptitude and bodes well for the future whatever direction he chooses to take.

100 is supposed to be the average but you don't get that impression. Partly because no-one will ever mention their IQ if it's close to or below that but if you trawl this site for a while you start to realise it's probably right enough. Whatever, you can be sure your son is smarter than the present President of the United States of America. Tell him that.

Answer 4

IQ tests are standardized so that a score of 100 is in the middle. There is a standard deviation of 15. Typically anything between 85 and 115 is considered average. This simply means that most people's scores are in the 85 to 115 range. Your child's score was slightly above average.

Giftedness depends on who defines it. Different organizations use different scores. For example an organization like MENSA requires an IQ score of 130. They also accept other types of tests like ACT and SAT scores.

To understand the scoring you must understand something about statistics. Giftedness, by most definitions, has to do with the percentile of your score. A person with a 130 score is in the 98th percentile.This means that 98 % of those who also took the test scored below the person who scored 130. Typically giftedness means that you are in the top 2% .

The scoring also depends on the child's comfort level with the tester. A good psychologist will work with a child first and then test so that the child's discomfort working with the tester will not effect the score.

IQ is not meant to change over time. It is not an achievement test. It is a test of intelligence which measures problem solving and thinking. You can not study for the test.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I think 120 is considered superior, so 110 is high average. So 118 would be high average but it would be a "high" high average. By the way, age is not a factor. IQ (theoretically) remains fairly stable, so if you have an IQ of 118 at 21, you should (theoretically) have an IQ of 118 at 30, 45, 70... give or take some points.

Answer 6

I just came upon this, I just had my granddaughter IQ tested, as she had just been diagnosed with High Functioning Autism formerly known as Aspbergers....she is 6 years old and scored a 120 on the test. some areas of testing she was average, in others she was nearly off the charts (high)...I am awaiting the final report in the mail...The doctor said for a 6 year old the average IQ is 90-103... 105-115 his above average,116-125 is well above average, 126 and up is gifted and work up to genius... I imagine the numbers for average IQ for that of a 10 year would be higher than a 6....It should show in the report the scores in all the categories and the and the final score overall, along side the averages..

Answer 7

The last test I had they said it was 142 and said it was above average. I am 62 and that was many years ago. They may have changed the rating system since. I believe into the ratio they calculate you educational years. For a 10 year old he is a smart kid, if a college person took the same test, the educational assessment would be different. I think I would be thankful that your child tested how he or she did. Each of us learns different subjects more readily also. They may be poor in grammar and a whiz in math. I excelled in math and got average grades in history, I think a lot had to do with the fact I didn't have as much interest in it and that it was not as easy for me. If I had to take home work home that was too much work. College turned out differently and I had to study some.

Answer 8

IQ tests are adjusted for people with different ages. So, do not expect his IQ increase as your son gets older. Average IQ score is 100. Scores between 90 and 110 are considered normal. IQ score higher than 125 shows giftedness. So your sons IQ score is above average. This means he is more intelligent than the average 10 year old child.

Answer 9

The IQ is mental age compared to the norm

So your child being 10 year old and IQ 118, it just means that his mind is more developed compared to other students, or that your
child is 18 points higher than his mental age.
For gifted programs, they should depend more on other factors such as teacher evaluation and not only IQ tests, because IQ tests are now being more and more rejected by people.

Answer 10

Iq Levels In Children

Answer 11

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RE:
Child's IQ 118 , so what is average?
My son was tested at school for the gifted program(at his teachers request) he tested at 118, they told me that was above average for a 10 y/o, but that the cut off is 126. My question is what is average, above average. etc. and what is considered normal. My son of course thinks he flunked..and I...