How smart would you say someone with IQ 130 is?

Question

Of course, it can vary since all people are different and the number itself doesn't fully describe intelligence. But I was just wondering how would you consider 130: slightly above average, significantly above average, half way to genius, etc.. ?

Answer 1

Tough question, which is probably why I chose to attempt an answer.

Halfway to genius it ain't. This because such test results fall in a fairly tall bell shaped curve. Even if you use the lower scale requirement of 140 to define genius, there are not half as many people at 130 compared to 140 -- there are a great many more than half.

130 would imply that if you keep your act together, don't let your personal life divert you, and work hard, you should be able to succeed in almost any academic program you pursue. That is significant.

Still, there are a lot of "ifs" in that statement. I've read a great deal written by people most people acknowledge as genius's. On this subject of genius they seem to agree, but not to some number that results from a test. They seem to agree that two things intersect to result in real genius: talent and industry (work). The lazy man who tests 130 on an IQ test will make a very wise janitor. The industrious man who measures 100 may make a useful medical doctor. When, however, an industrious man who tests 130 really gets to work, the results may be the kind of man they name hospitals after.

The best test to see how much a score of 130 is really worth is to take the test report to the local mall. If it feeds you and gets you some nice new clothes, I guess it really does mean something all by itself. If not, use it to write down the numbers of some good schools. Then comes the test for industry.

Good luck.

Answer 2

It depends solely on which IQ test was used and what the standardization of the scores of that test are. The Stanford-Binet and Wisc IQ tests have a mean score of 100 and a standard deviation of 10. That puts a score of 130 three standard deviations above the mean which would put it at about the 99th percentile.

Answer 3

My IQ is above that but under 150 and the people testing me told me I have intelligence that is "far above average". Although, I think IQ is a bit over rated, what really matter is your "street smarts" and how you apply any knowledge you have to appropriate situations.