What an IQ score is
IQ is a relative measure — it tells you how your performance on the test compares to a reference population, not how "smart" you are in any absolute sense. The mean is set to 100 and the standard deviation to 15, by convention.
What our IQ test measures
Three cognitive sections, each adapted in real time:
- Matrix Reasoning — visual pattern recognition (fluid reasoning)
- Working Memory (Dual N-back) — holding and updating information under load
- Spatial Logic — constraint-satisfaction puzzle solving
Each section uses Item Response Theory (2-Parameter Logistic) to estimate your ability efficiently — items adapt to your level so we don't waste questions that are too easy or too hard.
What the score means in practice
- 80-89 — about 1 in 4 people score in this range
- 90-109 — average; ~50% of people
- 110-119 — above average
- 120-129 — well above average
- 130+ — top 2-3% of the population
What an IQ score does NOT tell you
- It doesn't predict success. Conscientiousness predicts career outcomes more reliably than IQ.
- It doesn't measure creativity, emotional intelligence, or social skill. Those are real abilities and they're not what this test measures.
- It doesn't define you. A single score from a 30-90 minute test cannot capture the breadth of how you think.
- It's not destiny. IQ scores can shift over time with practice on similar tasks, education, sleep, and life circumstances.
How accurate is the score?
We report a confidence interval alongside the point estimate. The narrower test (Quick) has a wider interval; the longer test (Comprehensive) has the narrowest. If two scores fall within each other's confidence intervals, treat them as the same score.
What if my score surprises me?
Low surprise: try the test again on a different day. Performance varies with sleep, stress, and time of day.
High surprise: trust the score, but remember the bounds above. A high score is interesting; it's not a license or a verdict.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-04