Intelligence quotient (IQ) is a score derived from one of several different standardized tests designed to assess human intelligence. The abbreviation “IQ” was coined by the psychologist William Stern for the German term Intelligenzquotient, his term for a scoring system for intelligence tests at University of Breslau that he created in 1912.
IQ tests are used to compare cognitive ability across a population. The average IQ score is 100, and about 68% of the population scores between 85 and 115. Only about 2.5% of the population scores above 130, and only about 0.1% score above 145.
There are many different IQ tests available, but they all measure similar cognitive abilities. These abilities include:
- Verbal reasoning
- Numerical reasoning
- Spatial reasoning
- Working memory
- Processing speed
IQ tests are a valuable tool for assessing intelligence, but they are not without their limitations. One limitation is that IQ tests can be biased against certain groups of people, such as those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds or those with disabilities. Another limitation is that IQ tests only measure a small part of what it means to be intelligent. There are many other factors that contribute to intelligence, such as creativity, emotional intelligence, and social skills.
Despite their limitations, IQ tests are still a valuable tool for assessing intelligence. They can be used to identify gifted children, to screen for learning disabilities, and to make decisions about college admissions and job placement.
Here is a list of some of the most famous people in the world and their estimated IQ scores:
Albert Einstein
- Estimated IQ: 160-190
- Field: Physics
- Accomplishments: Developed the theory of relativity, won the Nobel Prize in Physics
Stephen Hawking
- Estimated IQ: 160
- Field: Physics
- Accomplishments: Developed the theory of black holes, wrote the book “A Brief History of Time”
Marilyn vos Savant
- Estimated IQ: 228
- Field: Writer
- Accomplishments: Holds the Guinness World Record for highest IQ, wrote the column “Ask Marilyn” for Parade magazine
Judit Polgár
- Estimated IQ: 170
- Field: Chess
- Accomplishments: Became the youngest grandmaster in history, the only woman to ever be ranked number one in the world by FIDE
Terence Tao
- Estimated IQ: 198
- Field: Mathematics
- Accomplishments: Won the Fields Medal, the highest honor in mathematics, at the age of 24
Magnus Carlsen
- Estimated IQ: 190
- Field: Chess
- Accomplishments: The current world chess champion, the youngest person to ever become world champion
Elon Musk
- Estimated IQ: 155
- Field: Business
- Accomplishments: Co-founded PayPal, SpaceX, Tesla, and Neuralink
Mark Zuckerberg
- Estimated IQ: 152
- Field: Business
- Accomplishments: Co-founded Facebook, the most popular social media platform in the world
Bill Gates
- Estimated IQ: 160
- Field: Business
- Accomplishments: Co-founded Microsoft, the world’s largest software company
Warren Buffett
- Estimated IQ: 150
- Field: Business
- Accomplishments: One of the richest people in the world, known as the “Oracle of Omaha” for his investment acumen
It is important to note that these IQ scores are estimates, and they may not be accurate. IQ tests are not always reliable, and they can be affected by a number of factors, such as stress, fatigue, and illness.
Despite the limitations of IQ tests, they are still a valuable tool for assessing intelligence. They can be used to identify gifted children, to screen for learning disabilities, and to make decisions about college admissions and job placement.