There is no particular score on an IQ test that registers as a “passing score,” because IQ is not an absolute measure of intelligence, but rather measure relative to the rest of the human population. IQ tests are normed so that IQ scores are distributed on a normal curve with mean 100 and standard deviation is 15 (Wechsler) or 16 (Stanford-Binet).
Someone with an IQ of 130 is at the 97.7th percentile, meaning that (for the Weschler test) only about 1 out of every 44 people scored as high or higher than this person. On the other hand, someone who is measured to have an IQ of 70 has scored as high or higher than only one out of every 44 people. For a more detailed look at IQ percentiles, visit:What is the Definition of IQ? Is there an IQ Limit that Cannot be Surpassed? – Intelligence and IQ
Most people would regard an IQ that is below average, i.e., less than 100 as undesirable and many people would wish to be regarded as “smart,” i.e., substantially above average, with an IQ of 115 or more. However, we must remember that IQ tests only yield an approximate measure of intelligence. These tests, albeit the best measures of intelligence we have, do not measure creativity, curiosity, imagination or long-term problem solving ability that are significant components of intelligence.
Furthermore, extremely high intelligence sometimes comes at a price and some people of astronomical IQ suffer isolation, loneliness, and depression. As the old song says, “It’s fun to be a genius of course, but put that old horse before the cart; first you gotta have heart.”
