The bell then slopes down to each side one side represents lower than average scores and the other side represents scores that are above the average. To understand what the score on an IQ test means, there are a few key terms that you should know.īell Curve: When IQ scores are plotted on a graph, they typically follow a bell-shaped curve.The peak of the 'bell' occurs where the majority of the scores lie. IQ scores follow what is known as the bell curve. That means that the majority of people have an IQ score between 85 and 115. 68% of IQ scores fall within one standard deviation of the mean. These labels are often given for IQ scores:Īn average IQ score is between 85 and 115.

People often talk about very high intelligence quotient (IQ) scores, often referred to as genius IQ scores, but what exactly do these numbers mean and how do they stack up? How do IQ scales break down scores into different IQ levels?Īre people in the 'Genius IQ' bracket really that much better off than those in the 'High IQ' or even the 'Average IQ' brackets? Are geniuses more successful than their lower-IQ counterparts? Some experts suggest that other factors, including emotional intelligence, might matter even more than IQ levels.