Question

All parents think their little kids are geniuses. however, to be classified as a genius, the iq score must be above __________.

Answer 1

Lewis Terman (1916) developed the original notion of IQ and proposed this scale for classifying IQ scores:

Over 140 - Genius or near genius

120 - 140 - Very superior intelligence

110 - 119 - Superior intelligence

90 - 109 - Normal or average intelligence

80 - 89 - Dullness

70 - 79 - Borderline deficiency

Under 70 - Definite feeble-mindedness

Normal Distribution & IQ Scores

The properties of the normal distribution apply to IQ scores:

50% of IQ scores fall between 90 and 110

70% of IQ scores fall between 85 and 115

95% of IQ scores fall between 70 and 130

99.5% of IQ scores fall between 60 and 140



High IQ & Genius IQ

Genius IQ is generally considered to begin around 140 to 145, representing ~.25% of the population (1 in 400).  Here's a rough guide:

115-124 - Above average (e.g., university students)125-134 - Gifted (e.g., post-graduate students)135-144 - Highly gifted (e.g., intellectuals)145-154 - Genius (e.g., professors)155-164 - Genius (e.g., Nobel Prize winners)165-179 - High genius180-200 - Highest genius>200 - "Unmeasurable genius"