What Is a High IQ?
The Concept of IQ and High IQ
IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a numerical score designed to measure certain aspects of human intelligence, such as reasoning, problem-solving, and learning ability. By design, the average IQ score is set at 100. Most people fall within the range of 85–115, which represents about 68% of the population. Scores below or above this range reflect below-average or above-average intellectual performance.
When we talk about a “high IQ”, we usually mean scores well above the average. Psychologists often use the following rough scale:
- Below 85 – Below average
- 85–115 – Average (majority of people)
- 116–129 – Above average
- 130–144 – Gifted / high IQ
- 145+ – Highly gifted / exceptionally high IQ
What Is a High IQ and Why It Matters
So, what is considered a high IQ? According to the standard bell curve distribution of IQ scores, only a small percentage of the population qualifies:
- IQ 130+: Roughly the top 2% of the population — often described as “gifted.”
- IQ 145+: Roughly the top 0.1% of the population — considered “highly gifted” or “genius-level.”
These cutoffs are the basis for entrance into high IQ societies (such as Mensa) and are often used in education to identify gifted children. A high IQ indicates strong abilities in logic, pattern recognition, problem-solving, and abstract reasoning — but it does not measure every aspect of intelligence, such as creativity or emotional skills.
Who Has Higher IQ and Why?
When people ask “who has higher IQ”, the answer is not as simple as pointing to a single factor. Research shows that IQ is shaped by a mix of influences:
- Genetics: Heredity plays a strong role in determining potential intelligence.
- Environment: Early childhood nutrition, healthcare, and stimulation can support or hinder cognitive growth.
- Education: Quality schooling helps develop problem-solving, memory, and reasoning skills.
- Lifestyle: Sleep, stress, and even ongoing learning habits all affect cognitive performance.
In other words, while some individuals are born with a higher predisposition, high IQ emerges from a combination of nature and nurture.