Does IQ change with age?

Asked by: Kayla Thompson  |  Last update: November 23, 2025
Score: 5/5 (10 votes)

A large body of research shows that different IQ subscales show different patterns of change with age. Verbal or crystallized intelligence increases relatively steadily with age. However, nonverbal or fluid intelligence improves until the mid-20s to 30s and then slowly declines with further aging.

At what age does IQ change the most?

Now we can compare Full Scale (global) IQs for adults of different ages. A clear decline is evident. The mean WAIS-IV IQ is 100 for ages 20-24 and is 99 for ages 25-44. Then it drops to 97 for ages 45-54, to 94 for ages 55-64, to 90 for 65-69, to 86 for ages 70-74 and to 79 for ages 75+.

What is a good IQ score by age?

Ages 7 to 13: Average score spans between 90-110. Ages 13 to 16: The average IQ score is around 100. Ages 17 to 19: Slightly higher, at approximately 105. Ages 20 to 24: The average score is 99.

Is a 140 IQ high?

If you score above 130, then you have a score higher than the IQ ranges of the average population, and below 70 would be lower than the average population. Superintelligent or gifted people get an average score of 120 to 140, and only about 2% of the population scores more than 130, considered to be genius.

Is losing 5 IQ points a lot?

Technically, the average IQ loss over a lifetime is less than 5 points. To see such a severe difference between tests may signify that you could have scored higher than you were meant to originally or that you were having an off day and scored too low on the latest test.

Does IQ Change Over Time? - Stephen Murdoch

35 related questions found

Is a 125 IQ good?

85 to 114: Average intelligence. 115 to 129: Above average or bright. 130 to 144: Moderately gifted. 145 to 159: Highly gifted.

Why has my IQ gone down?

What can cause IQ to decrease? A decline in physical ability as a person ages can lead to a decrease in performance on IQ tests. Excessive use of drugs and alcohol, as well as degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's, are also associated with the deterioration of cognitive function.

What is Einstein's IQ?

Best known for developing the theory of relativity, he is amongst the top most geniuses the world has recognized. Einstein never took an IQ score test. However, based on his historical records, academics have estimated his score to be around 160.

What celebrity has 180 IQ?

Emmy Award winner James Woods is an Oscar-nominee and superstar has a whopping IQ of 180.

What is Taylor Swift's IQ?

High IQ Score: Taylor Swift has an estimated IQ of 136, a score that reflects high intelligence. She possesses quick learning and problem-solving abilities. This is evident in her singing and songwriting, as well as her musical talents.

What is Elon Musk's IQ?

Elon's IQ is estimated to be around 155, while Albert Einstein's is 160. With such a slight margin, Musk is undoubtedly an incredibly smart person. Who is the smartest person on earth in 2022? Born in 1975 in Adelaide, Australia is a mathematician, Terence Tao with an IQ score of 230.

What's the average female IQ?

IQ tests are designed with a standard average score of 100, so a slight variation is normal. According to data, the average IQ among U.S. males is slightly higher than that of females, with males scoring an average of 99 and females scoring 97.

What IQ is considered gifted?

To be classified as gifted, most education departments require children to have an IQ score at or above 130 on a standardised test administered by a psychologist. However, a child can be classified as being mildly gifted with an IQ score of 115–129.

Can IQ be improved?

According to the Flynn effect, IQ improved over 20th century by about 20-25 IQ degrees. IQ training studies show that IQ improves because of training by up to 8-10 degrees. The problem is that most of it fades out in 2-3 years after the end of the study.

At what age do IQ scores peak?

At what age is your brain the sharpest? Researchers have found that while some mental abilities tend to peak earlier in life, many don't reach their highest point until around age 40 or later.

What is Lady Gaga's IQ?

We all know that Gaga is a creative genius, but it turns out she's an actual genius too with a widely-estimated IQ of 166, making her “exceptionally gifted” — and we don't disagree!

What is Oprah Winfrey's IQ?

Final answer:

The Z-score is a measure of how many standard deviations an individual's score is from the mean. Oprah's Z-score of 2.73, equates to an IQ of approximately 140.95, which is high.

What is Snoop Dogg's IQ?

Recognized as the West Coast icon, Snoop took to his Instagram to reveal his Intelligence Quotient (IQ). He shared a photo by RAPTVZONE in 2020 that said, "Snoop Dogg has an IQ level of 147 that is thought to be extremely high and that of a gifted genius."

What is Marilyn Monroe's IQ?

High IQ Score: Marilyn Monroe had an IQ of 165, positioning her well above the average score. This high intelligence quotient reveals a significant aspect of her character often overshadowed by her Hollywood persona. Keen Reader: Monroe was an avid reader, owning a library of over 400 books.

What is the normal human IQ?

Most people have an average IQ between 85 and 115. Overall, about 98% of people have a score below 130. Only 2% of the population score above that and are considered above average. But your IQ score isn't simply about bragging rights.

What was Leonardo da Vinci's IQ?

Leonardo da Vinci was one of the most brilliant and versatile minds of all time. He was a master of painting, sculpture, architecture, engineering, and science. His IQ is estimated to have been between 180 and 220, which would have placed him among the most intelligent people in history.

Does anxiety lower IQ?

The analysis carried out by Hopko et al. (2005) concluded that while anxiety was associated with performance deficits in cognitive and behavioral tasks, a clear relationship between anxiety and IQ was not proven.

How do you fix low IQ?

How to increase IQ at home
  1. Learn to play a musical instrument. ...
  2. Practice memory activities. ...
  3. Practice your visuospatial skills. ...
  4. Learn a new language. ...
  5. Read more books. ...
  6. Practice executive control activities. ...
  7. Improve your relational skills. ...
  8. Study.