IQ increases due to environmental factors like improved nutrition, better education, less disease, and more cognitively stimulating environments, as shown by the Flynn Effect (rising scores across generations); within individuals, engaging in abstract problem-solving, strategic games, and experiencing enriched environments, especially during critical developmental periods, can also raise scores.
Cognitive experts have however pointed out that engagement in problem solving tasks usually help increase the IQ by several points. Do a lot of crosswords and other logical recreations as well as strategic games, for example, chess, and Sudoku.
IQ changes due to many other factors: genetics, early development, environment, nutrition, education, health, age, and mental conditions. In any case, don't worry too much about your IQ--there are multiple kinds of intelligence, which you can develop and grow like a muscle. And intelligence is not everything.
Research indicates that between 40% and 80% of the variance in IQ is attributed to genetics, highlighting a significant hereditary component. These findings emerge from studies of family pedigrees, twin studies, and recently, advances in molecular genetics.
A 72 IQ is considered Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF), falling just above the threshold for intellectual disability (usually around 70), placing it in the lower end of the spectrum (70-79) and indicating slower learning and potential needs for support in daily living, though it's not low enough for an official intellectual disability diagnosis by itself, notes Quora user. It's in the bottom few percentiles of the population, requiring more time to grasp complex concepts but not necessarily severe impairment.
Slowness learning to talk, or continued difficulties with speech and language skills after starting to talk. Difficulty with self-help and self-care skills (e.g., getting dressed, washing, and feeding themselves) Poor planning or problem-solving abilities. Behavioral and social problems.
Yes, an IQ of 120 is considered very good, placing you in the "superior" or "gifted" range, well above the average (90-109), and in the top 10% of the population. It signifies strong cognitive ability, often described as "above average" or "bright," allowing for academic and professional success, though effort and motivation remain crucial.
Lady Gaga's IQ is widely rumored to be around 166, placing her in the "exceptionally gifted" or genius category, though this is an estimation often cited in celebrity lists, not a officially verified number from a public test. This high estimate is supported by her early academic achievements, like attending a summer program for the top 1% of students, and her demonstrated creative and musical genius as a composer and performer, notes Us Weekly and Brainmanager.io.
Intelligence is highly heritable and predicts important educational, occupational and health outcomes better than any other trait. Recent genome-wide association studies have successfully identified inherited genome sequence differences that account for 20% of the 50% heritability of intelligence.
Snoop Dogg has claimed to have an IQ of 147, a score he revealed on Instagram, which classifies as "highly gifted" or genius level, despite graduating high school with straight C's and considering himself a poor student. While the exact test isn't verified, he has expressed surprise at his own high score, contrasting it with his academic struggles, but acknowledges his brilliance in music and business, notes Esquire Australia and Brainmanager.io.
Some signs that often appear in children include:
Japan ranks highest in average IQ globally, with an average IQ score of 106.48, according to recently updated data from DataPandas on May 20, 2025. National IQ is influenced by factors such as education, healthcare, nutrition, and economic stability.
After the test scores are calculated for every participant, an average of these scores is calculated for the 2 focus groups, shown in Table IV. From Table IV we can see that the average score of the millennial groups is 99.24 and the average score of the gen-z group is 101.03, the difference being 1.79 points.
Studies have shown that intelligence has a genetic component, but they have not conclusively identified any single genes that have major roles in differences in intelligence. It is likely that intelligence involves many genes that each make only a small contribution to a person's intelligence.
No, an IQ of 97 is not considered dumb; it falls squarely in the average range (90-109), indicating typical cognitive abilities, though some tests might place it slightly below the exact midpoint of 100. An IQ score of 97 means you performed better than 42% of people, and due to the test's margin of error, your score could be anywhere from the high 80s to the mid-100s, still within normal intelligence.
How to increase IQ at home
However the researchers looked at it, first-borns had, on average, an IQ of 1.5 points higher than second-born siblings, who in turn had a 1.5 higher IQ than third-borns and so on.
Mitochondrial DNA
Perhaps the most well-known type of DNA you inherit solely from your mother is mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).
Until now, we have assumed that intelligence is based on both the father's and the mother's genes. However, according to a new study, intelligence depends on a mother's X chromosome. Intelligence genes are situated on the mother's X chromosome.
Her songwriting & business smarts suggest above-average intelligence, but real IQ needs a pro test. Taylor Swift's IQ is often cited online as 160, which would place her in the top 0.01% of the population, higher than 99.99% of people.
Nicole Kidman, whose shyness and stutter made her early years difficult, nevertheless showed an impressive aptitude for ballet and acting at a young age (and at one point had a reported IQ of 132).
IQ tests are not perfect, not should they be used to create a class-ist society ruled by high testers. Paris Hilton has a 129 IQ and Andy Warhol's was 86. But who contributed more to society?
Is Kim Kardashian's IQ really 190? No—it's a baseless rumor from unreliable sites. No verified score exists; estimates range 95–119 based on her education & career, but her actual IQ remains unknown.
Meaning of IQ
85 to 115 - Two thirds of us have an IQ in this range: the 'average' IQ is 100. Over 135 - You are in the top 1%.