“What is a good IQ?” is one of the most common questions people ask after taking an IQ test. The short answer is that IQ is measured relative to a population average, so “good” depends on where a score falls within that distribution rather than on any fixed pass/fail line.
How IQ scores are typically classified
Most IQ tests, including WIQS, use a scale with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. Psychologists commonly describe the ranges as follows:
- 130 and above — Very superior / gifted range
- 120–129 — Superior
- 110–119 — High average
- 90–109 — Average
- 80–89 — Low average
- Below 80 — Below average
Roughly two-thirds of the population scores between 85 and 115, since this range covers one standard deviation on either side of the average. See How IQ Scores Work for a detailed explanation of why the scale is built this way.
Why “average” isn’t a bad result
Because the scale is centered on the population average, roughly half of all test takers will score below 100 by definition — that’s simply how a relative scale works. A score in the 90–109 range means your performance on the test is typical for the population, not that anything is wrong. IQ also measures only a specific set of cognitive abilities (see What is IQ?), so it is only one input among many when it comes to understanding a person’s overall abilities.
What can affect your score
- Test conditions — fatigue, distractions, or a noisy environment can lower performance regardless of underlying ability.
- Practice effects — retaking a similar test can inflate scores, which is why WIQS limits Official Test retakes to once per week.
- Motivation and mood — how engaged and comfortable you feel during the test can influence how well you perform.
Because of these factors, it’s best to treat any single IQ score, including your WIQS result, as a helpful reference point rather than a fixed label. For guidance on how reliable online IQ tests are in general, see How Accurate Are Online IQ Tests?
Curious where you fall on the scale?
Take the free WIQS Pretest.