There's no single "mental age" for a 14-year-old; it varies greatly, but their cognitive abilities, measured by IQ tests, often hover around a mental age equivalent to their chronological age (around 14), with the average IQ score of 100 representing this, but some 14-year-olds might have much higher or lower mental ages, especially in specific areas like emotional maturity or complex problem-solving, as brain development continues. Mental age is a concept less used now, replaced by IQ scores (Mental Age/Chronological Age x 100), which show cognitive skills compared to peers, but doesn't fully capture emotional or practical maturity, which can be ahead or behind.
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.
In fact, it was originally thought that the average mental age of adults was 16 — but was later found to be about 13.5. So, a person who's 40 years old may have a mental age of less than 30, or a person who's 30 may have a mental age of 60 years old.
Hormonal changes, self-image struggles, the need for peer acceptance, and the phenomenon of distancing themselves from parents all play significant roles in shaping their personalities. School is central to a 14-year-old girl's life; they bear more responsibilities and face increased stress.
For example, if A child has his mental age 15 years and chronological age 12 years, then his IQ would be 15/12 x 100 = 125.
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.
Mental age tests and quizzes provide insight into one's cognitive ability, but some are more accurate than others. The simple formula for how to determine mental age is IQ=MA/CA*100. Mental age quizzes will not provide as accurate information as an intelligence test administered by a trained professional.
14-Year-Old Developmental Red Flags
Drastic mood swings. Changes in eating habits. Excessive worrying or fear. Poor self-care.
They can be self-conscious because they feel like the center of attention. Hormonal changes, struggles with self-image, acceptance by friends, and greater distance from you can all play a part. School is at the center of your 14-year-old's life, and at their age they're taking on more responsibility and more stress.
Many parents say that the toughest teen years are around 14 to 16. This is when a child can appear to be rebelling against you and may seem actively hostile.
🧠 New research shows the smartest age in life is 55 to 60 – not in your 20s. While youth is often seen as the peak of brainpower, science now suggests the smartest age in life may actually be between 55 and 60.
Intelligence-related symptoms
Some mental skills are sharpest at different ages, with many not peaking until age 40 or later. Short-term memory is strongest at age 25, stays steady until 35, and then starts to decline. Emotional understanding peaks during middle age, while vocabulary and crystallized intelligence peak in the 60s and 70s.
Educational psychologists consider a gifted IQ to be 130 or higher (98th percentile) on the WISC or WPPSI, or around 132+ on the Stanford-Binet.
The signs of high intellectual power in adults are similar to those in children. They include quick learning, interest in unique topics, and the ability to process information fast, among others.
Researchers have found that IQ can rise or fall during the teen years and that the brain's structure reflects this uptick or decline. The result offers the first direct evidence that intelligence can change after early childhood and provides new hope for boosting the brain's abilities.
They're absorbed in social media, texting and instant messaging, and probably gaming. They show more interest in, and are influenced by, their peer group. They develop a sense of style and interested in shopping for clothing. They'll begin spending much more time with their friends.
Adolescence is an important time for brain development.
Although the brain stops growing in size by early adolescence, the teen years are all about fine-tuning how the brain works. The brain finishes developing and maturing in the mid-to-late 20s.
What Age Do Teenage Mood Swings Stop? Every teen is different. Some may outgrow intense mood swings by 18, while others may experience emotional ups and downs into their early 20s. Factors like stress, environment, and mental health can influence how long mood swings persist.
11 discipline strategies for your teenager
There's no single "hardest" age, but many parents find the pre-teen years (8-10) challenging due to burgeoning independence and emotional regulation struggles, while the teenage years (13-17) are tough because of hormones, identity formation, and major clashes as they push for autonomy, often cited as the most difficult period overall. These ages involve a tricky balance between wanting to be treated like an adult and still needing parental support, leading to defiance, mood swings, and conflict, according to experts and parents.
What are the most common issues facing teenagers today? According to a new Pew Research Center survey of youth ages 13 to 17, some of the major problems that teens face today are mental issues, such as anxiety and depression, bullying, and drug and alcohol use and abuse.
Thus, for example, using the traditional formula of MA/CA × 100= IQ (where MA = mental age and CA = chronological age) then a child with intellectual disability with an IQ of 60 will be 10 years old when they attain the mental age, of 6, whereas their typically developing peer will be 6 years old.
Signs of a higher mental age:
Overall mental functioning peaked between ages 55 and 60, before beginning to decline from around 65. That decline became more pronounced after age 75, suggesting that later-life reductions in functioning can accelerate once they begin.