Analysing your IQ
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Gifted
98% percentile • 1 in 50
An IQ of 140 is classified as Gifted, placing you in the 98% percentile (1 in 50).
The bell curve shows the normal distribution of IQ scores. The mean is 100 with a standard deviation of 15. The highlighted area represents the percentage of people who score at or below IQ 140.
Gifted intelligence indicates superior cognitive abilities well above the population average. Individuals at this level typically perform excellently in academic settings, learn new concepts quickly, and excel in careers requiring complex reasoning and analysis.
An IQ of 140 places you in the top 0.4% of the population — approximately 1 in 250 people. This level of intelligence is often described as near-genius or "highly gifted." Research by Lubinski and Benbow (2006) at Vanderbilt University found that individuals scoring at this level in childhood went on to achieve disproportionate eminence in STEM fields, academia, and creative professions.
An IQ of 140 is to cognitive ability what a 6'6" height is to basketball — a natural advantage that opens doors in intellectually demanding fields. In a city of 100,000 people, only about 400 would score at this level. Complex abstract reasoning that takes most people hours may take minutes.
IQ 140 is associated with the most elite academic environments. Students at this level often feel underchallenged by standard curricula and benefit from acceleration or enrichment. Average IQs at institutions like Caltech (~140) and top research universities cluster around this range.
The difference between IQ 130 and IQ 140 is significant: it moves from "gifted" to "highly gifted." At IQ 140, individuals typically process information fast enough to feel cognitively "different" from most peers. The gap to IQ 145 (genius classification) is small but psychologically notable.
These historical figures have estimated IQs similar to 140:
Well-suited for professional careers in medicine, law, engineering, science, and business leadership. Likely to succeed in graduate-level education and specialized fields.
These college majors have average student IQs similar to 140:
These universities have estimated average student IQs near 140:
| IQ Range | Classification | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 160+ | Profoundly Gifted | 99.997% |
| 145-159 | Genius | 99.87% |
| 130-144 | Gifted | 98% |
| 120-129 | Superior | 91% |
| 110-119 | High Average | 75% |
| 90-109 | Average | 50% |
| 80-89 | Low Average | 25% |
| <80 | Below Average | <25% |
Get your IQ score, percentile ranking, and cognitive profile with our scientifically validated assessment.
An IQ of 140 is classified as "Gifted" and places you in the 98% percentile. This means you score higher than approximately 98% of the population on standardized intelligence tests. Gifted intelligence indicates superior cognitive abilities well above the population average.
Yes, an IQ of 140 is significantly above average. The mean IQ is 100, so a score of 140 indicates gifted cognitive abilities. This level of intelligence is associated with well-suited for professional careers in medicine, law, engineering, science, and business leadership.
Well-suited for professional careers in medicine, law, engineering, science, and business leadership. Likely to succeed in graduate-level education and specialized fields.
An IQ of 140 is found in approximately 1 in 50 people. This places you in the 98% percentile of the population. This is considered a rare level of cognitive ability.
While IQ is relatively stable in adulthood, you can optimize your cognitive performance through several strategies: maintaining good sleep habits, regular exercise, continuous learning, managing stress, and challenging your brain with novel problems. These won't dramatically change your IQ score but can help you perform at your cognitive best.
