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The average IQ score has increased over time, reflecting improvements in cognitive abilities. IQ is strongly correlated with educational attainment and cognitive performance, making it a useful predictor of academic and cognitive success. High IQ scores, although rare, are indicative of exceptional cognitive abilities and potential for high educational achievement.
IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a measure used to assess human intelligence. It is often used to predict various life outcomes, including educational attainment and cognitive performance. This synthesis explores the average IQ score and its implications for a person’s life based on multiple research studies.
Key Insights
- Average IQ Scores Over Time:
- The mean IQ of Americans has increased by 13.8 points from 1932 to 1978, indicating a significant rise in cognitive performance over this period1.
- National IQ and Educational Attainment:
- There is a strong correlation between national IQ scores and educational attainment in math, science, and reading comprehension across 108 countries. This suggests that higher national IQs are associated with better educational outcomes2.
- IQ and Cognitive Performance:
- IQ is a strong predictor of performance on various cognitive tests. Individuals with average IQs perform significantly better on cognitive measures than those with below-average IQs, and those with above-average IQs perform better than those with average IQs3.
- IQ as a Predictor of Educational Attainment:
- Individual IQ scores are considered indicators of general intelligence and predictors of educational success. The highest IQ found in a typical American high school is around 150, suggesting that exceptionally high IQs are rare but present in educational settings4.