There's no single documented "lowest ever" IQ score, as scores below 40 are difficult to measure accurately and tests become unreliable; however, profoundly intellectually disabled individuals can have scores as low as 1 to 20, often due to severe conditions, with the theoretical lowest being zero, though people with IQs near zero are usually comatose or non-responsive, and reported cases like a man with an IQ of 48 highlight extremely low, documented results.
Breakdown of Scores on an IQ Scale
The DSM-IV classifies mental retardation into four stages based on severity: mild (IQ score of 50-55 to approximately 70), moderate (IQ score of 30-35 to 50-55), severe (IQ score of 20-25 to 35-40), and profound (IQ score of less than 20-25).
Snoop Dogg has publicly stated he has an IQ of 147, a score that falls into the "highly gifted" or "genius" category, much to his own surprise given his self-described average school performance (straight Cs). While this self-reported score suggests exceptional intellect, IQ tests measure specific cognitive abilities, and success in life and business (like Snoop Dogg's multifaceted career as a rapper, entrepreneur, and media personality) reflects a broader range of intelligence and skills.
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!
Kanye West (Ye) publicly claimed to have a 142 IQ in an April 2025 social media post, a score he stated meant he had a "genius intellect," though this remains an unverified, self-proclaimed figure not supported by official test results. While supporters praised the claim, many questioned its accuracy, and there's no official, independently verified IQ score for him, with intelligence being a multifaceted concept beyond a single number.
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.
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%.
Scores of 80 to 89 are considered low average. Scores of 70 to 79 are considered borderline impaired. Scores of 55 to 69 are considered a mild impairment. Scores of 40 to 54 are considered a moderate impairment.
To be diagnosed as having mental retardation, a person must have an I.Q. below 70-75, i.e. significantly below average. If a person scores below 70 on a properly administered and scored I.Q.
The term borderline intellectual functioning describes a group of people who function on the border between normal intellectual functioning and intellectual disability, between 1 and 2 standard deviations below the mean on the normal curve of the distribution of intelligence, roughly an IQ between 70 and 85.
Even with an IQ of 159.8, John F. Kennedy had a reputation in childhood of being a poor student, preferring games and sports. He came around, though, and graduated from Harvard in 1940.
The average IQ score is 100 on most IQ tests. About 68% of people score between 85 and 115, or one standard deviation from the mean. Scores below 70 may indicate a developmental disability, while scores above 130 may suggest giftedness.
Albert Einstein never took an official IQ test, so his score is an estimate, but most sources place it around 160, considered genius level, though some believe it could have been higher. This figure is based on his revolutionary scientific achievements, like the theory of relativity, rather than a standardized test. IQ tests from his era weren't as developed, and his unique thinking style makes accurate modern comparison difficult.
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?
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.
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.
Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump: At an early age, Forrest is deemed to have a below-average IQ of 75. He has an endearing character and shows devotion to his loved ones and duties, character traits that bring him into many life-changing situations.
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.
Careers in the medical field, computer programing, university research positions, and engineering are among the ones with the highest requirements to be smart and have a high IQ.
Rappers IQ's, Jay Z has an IQ of 148, Kendrick Lamar has an IQ of 129, Tupac Shakur IQ is 124, Lil Wayne IQ is 120, and last is Eminem with 110 IQ. Archived post.
The IQ of an average millionaire is 117 The IQ of an average billionaire is 133 The IQ of an average deca-billionaire is 151 This shows - you gotta be intelligent to get rich!