Blog
trivia, interpretations, analyses
Short articles on IQ, intelligence, and the interpretation of test results. What does an IQ of 130 mean? What was Einstein's IQ? How do scores differ across countries? Find answers here.
When to do an IQ test for a child — and when it's better not to
An IQ test for a child makes sense mainly in three situations: suspected giftedness, ADHD, or learning difficulties. In other cases — it often does more harm than good.
Is IQ heritable? What science really says
Yes, IQ is largely heritable — but it's more complicated than that. Heritability rises with age from 0.2 (children) to 0.8 (adults). Explaining what this means.
WAIS-IV: the most popular IQ test for adults explained
WAIS-IV is the most commonly used official IQ test for adults worldwide. 10 subtests, 4 indices, 60-90 minutes. In the US it costs $200-400. Here is what it looks like in practice.
How long does an IQ test take? From 8 minutes to 2 hours
An IQ test takes anywhere from 8 minutes (online) to 90-120 minutes (official WAIS-IV with a psychologist). The most popular options compared — duration, costs, and what you actually get.
IQ and age — how intelligence changes throughout life
Short answer: standardized IQ (your position in the population) changes little with age. Raw cognitive abilities yes — different ones peak at different points in life.
How Much Does the Mensa Test Cost? Prices by Country (2026)
Mensa testing fees vary significantly by country. The price covers the proctored testing session, scoring by Mensa, and a result...
Mensa Test vs Online IQ Test: Which One Do You Need?
The honest answer: for most people, an online IQ test is enough. You want to know roughly where you stand on the cognitive distribution —...
Mensa Practice Test: What to Expect and How to Prepare
Mensa offers free practice tests on most national chapter websites. These are not the official admission test — they're sample questions...
How to join Mensa — complete 2026 guide
Mensa accepts people with IQ scores in the top 2% of the population — about 132+ on the Wechsler scale. You can join after a Mensa qualification test or based on a WAIS-IV result from a psychologist.
Anxiety Before an IQ Test: How Stress Lowers Scores 5–15 Points
Test anxiety is real, measurable, and lowers IQ scores systematically. A 2017 meta-analysis covering 238 studies showed test anxiety...
ADHD and Processing Speed: Why Time Pressure Drops IQ Scores
Processing speed is how fast your brain handles simple cognitive tasks — recognizing symbols, scanning visual information, matching...
ADHD and Working Memory: Why It Hurts IQ Test Scores
Working memory is the cognitive system that holds and manipulates information for short periods — like remembering a phone number while you...
IQ 115 Meaning: Percentile, Rarity and Real-Life Interpretation
IQ 115 is one standard deviation above the mean. A good score, common among university students and in professions requiring mental work....
ADHD and IQ: Why Smart People Score Lower on IQ Tests
Nearly 60% of adults with ADHD score significantly higher on IQ when working memory and processing speed are removed from the calculation. This isn't about intelligence — it's about neurology.
Brain Fog and IQ: How Brain Fog Drops Test Scores 3–9 Points
A 2024 NEJM study on 112,000 participants found that long COVID lowers cognitive performance by the equivalent of 6 IQ points. But brain fog has many faces — and most of them are reversible.
IQ 140 Meaning: Percentile, Rarity and Real-Life Interpretation
IQ 140 is an exceptional score. Less than 1% of the population has such an IQ (about 1 in 261 people). This is the level classified as...
IQ 70 Meaning: Percentile, Rarity and Real-Life Interpretation
A score at the lower borderline range. May indicate learning difficulties, particularly in academic contexts. Important: a single online...
IQ 90 Meaning: Percentile, Rarity and Real-Life Interpretation
A score within the average range (90-109). This means your cognitive abilities are at a normal level typical for the majority of the...
Famous people with high IQ — facts, myths, and controversies
Albert Einstein 160? Stephen Hawking 160? Most numbers circulating online are myths. We examine who was actually tested and who got assigned to the scale post-mortem by fans.
How to train your IQ? 7 scientifically proven methods
Can you increase your IQ? Short answer: slightly, and under certain conditions. The long answer is 7 methods based on scientific research — plus some that don't work despite being popular.
Does high IQ guarantee success? What science really says
Intelligence predicts professional success better than any other single trait — but explains only 20-30% of the variance. What determines the remaining 70-80%? That's where it gets really interesting.
IQ 145 Meaning: Percentile, Rarity and Real-Life Interpretation
IQ 145 is the giftedness level. Only 0.13% of the population (about 1 in 741) has such a score. However, keep in mind: the precision of IQ...
IQ 160 Meaning: Percentile, Rarity and Real-Life Interpretation
IQ 160 is an extremely high score. Only 1 in ~31,500 people has such an IQ. At this level, measurements become less reliable — IQ tests are...
IQ 80 Meaning: Percentile, Rarity and Real-Life Interpretation
A below-average score, but within the normal range. Most people with this score function successfully in daily life, though they may find...
What does an IQ score of 130 mean?
An IQ score of 130 means you answered better than about 97.7% of the population. It's a high score, but not exceptional — and that's good news.
IQ 125 Meaning: Percentile, Rarity and Real-Life Interpretation
IQ 125 is already a fairly high score, close to the giftedness threshold. About 5% of the population (1 in 20 people) has an IQ of 125 or...
IQ 100 Meaning: Percentile, Rarity and Real-Life Interpretation
IQ 100 is the statistical center of the scale. By definition, the average score on IQ tests in the general population is 100. You are...
IQ 110 Meaning: Percentile, Rarity and Real-Life Interpretation
An above-average score. Indicates good cognitive abilities — particularly abstract reasoning, numerical reasoning and pattern recognition....
IQ 120 Meaning: Percentile, Rarity and Real-Life Interpretation
A high score — between the regular norm and the giftedness threshold. IQ 120 is found in about 9% of the population. Often observed among...