Is an IQ under 100, 86 to be exact, a dumb person?

Question

My boyfriend scroed 86 in an IQ test and I'm a little worried. The average is 100. Is 86 too low?

Answer 1

86* is low, but I wouldn't write him off...yet! Ask him to have a retest, then average the two! I think you will be surprised!

Answer 2

Iq Under 100

Answer 3

Well, the obvious response is, too low for what? If that really is his IQ and not just the result of a botched test, then I wouldn't recommend that he take up a career in nuclear physics or medicine. On the other hand, he might make a fine carpenter or construction worker. 35% of all people have IQs between 85 and 100, and about 12% of all people have IQs between 70 and 85. 85 would be considered by most experts to be "low normal". You have to be below 70 to be considered "retarded" or "deficient".

The real question would be, is he too slow for you? If you have an IQ of 120, you'll probably be so frustrated with him that the relationship won't last. But if your IQ is closer to his, you have a lot in common, and the two of you get along well, then you'll be fine.

Answer 4

It means he might have troubles comprehending things. He be slow when answering question and completing tasks.
100 isn't really average. 90-110 is average, meaning 50% of the popluation has an IQ that falls inbetween those numbers.
70-89 is low average
69 is mental retardation.
On the flip side 110-130 is high average
130 and above is genius.

I've taken grad courses on this.

Answer 5

IQ only measures a narrow set of skills.

Character traits such as honesty, sincerity, empathy for others and a healthy work ethic are FAR more important than a number on a test (which was probably not performed under the appropriate conditions)

I am more concerned about you. If a persons IQ is an important measure of their value to you, then you need to seriously re evaluate your shallow attitude.

Answer 6

It's considered the low side of average. But don't take too much stock in those tests. I was a straight A student all through college, but somehow scored a 90 on an IQ test. I've known other very smart people who scored low. Don't worry about it.

Answer 7

An 86 is still in the average range. He may not be able to be a rocket scientist, but he will have a normal life. Where I live 69 and under they start calling it mild mental retardation.

Answer 8

First of all the IQ test is not really 100 % accurate. Nore is it 100% indicitive of a persons intellegence. any test can only test what you know and how you can use what you know.
I would say that a person of a particularly high IQ would hardly score that low but a person of average or slightly above could get a bad score on a bad day.
A better test is how he relates daily to your intellegence. If he is absolutally amazed at how smart you are then you may not make a good match for much beyond flattering your ego.

Answer 9

Mostly what a low IQ seems to mean is that your parents weren't readers.
It is mostly about vocabulary and reading skills -
neither an accurate measure of potential success in the real world.
Most professions are more about your ability to endure monotony,
and folks with low IQs seem to have a higher tolerance for it.
Having made this politically correct statement,
may I add that dumbasses WEAR ME OUT!
I believe they account for the success of Fox News.

Answer 10

No, the NORMAL range in the bell curve distribution is 85-115. It is the low end of the normal range but still very, very average. IQ scores can be improved through the study of vocabulary since most IQ tests are based on a persons "verbal ability."

Answer 11

IQ isn't 100% accurate. However 86 is considered to be below average. But he should get a re-test maybe he was haviing a tough day....