The IQ score shows your brain performance in a specific test compared to other people in the same age group.
As you know, different tests have been developed as research results progressed through time, and each test was given its own rating system. Therefore, if you claim that your IQ score is 130, nobody considers it a significant result unless you specify the exact IQ test using which you measured your IQ.
It is common among IQ researchers to use classification labels such as “Gifted” or “average” to define the level of your IQ score.
There is no consistent practice for labeling IQ levels, nor is there a consistent practice of dividing IQ scores into specific categories or with certain boundary scores.
There are different kinds of classifications for IQ scores. Here are three different classifications:
| IQ Range | IQ Classification |
|---|---|
| IQ Range | IQ Classification |
| 144+ | Highly Gifted |
| 130-144 | Gifted |
| 115-129 | Above Average |
| 85-114 | Average |
| 70-84 | Below Average |
| -70 | Lower Extreme |
| IQ Range | IQ Classification |
|---|---|
| IQ Range | IQ Classification |
| 144+ | Very Gifted or Highly Advanced |
| 130-144 | Gifted or Very Advanced |
| 120-129 | Superior |
| 110-119 | High Average |
| 90–109 | Average |
| 80–89 | Low Average |
| 70–79 | Borderline Impaired or Delayed |
| 55–69 | Mildly Impaired or Delayed |
| 40-54 | Moderately Impaired or Delayed |
| Corresponding IQ Range | Classifications | More value-neutral terms |
|---|---|---|
| 130+ | Very Superior | Upper Extreme |
| 120–129 | Superior | Well Above Average |
| 110–119 | High Average | High Average |
| 90–109 | Average | Average |
| 80–89 | Low Average | Low Average |
| 70–79 | Borderline | Well Below Average |
| 69 and below | Extremely Low | Extremely Low |
An IQ score of 100 has been determined as the global average by most modern IQ tests have determined. The standard deviation of 15 is also considered so that IQ scores follow a normal distribution.
In other words, approximately 95% of the world’s population have IQ scores within the range of 70 to 130, and 98% are below 131.