What IS a normal IQ?

[lovemytea]

After reading about IQ testing, I wonder what really is normal. Does anyone have any links for researching?

[Jenny in Florida]

. . . an IQ of 100 is average. However, the actual average goes up slightly every decade. They keep adjusting the tests, but it's not an exact science.

The article on Wikipedia is probably as good a place to start as any: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iq

[Momto2Ns]

The normal range is considered to be 80-120. If someone is wondering if their child qualifies as MR, it usually requires a score of 80 or lower. However, a child could have a higher IQ and have low subtests in certain areas that are impacting their learning. The full score does not always paint a full picture.

On the other end ps gifted programs typically take the top 5% of a the population rather than basing on a specific IQ score. In our school district it typically takes an IQ of 138-140 to qualify for the gifted program.

Debbie

[cillakat]

The normal range is considered to be 80-120. If someone is wondering if their child qualifies as MR, it usually requires a score of 80 or lower. However, a child could have a higher IQ and have low subtests in certain areas that are impacting their learning. The full score does not always paint a full picture.



So true. Keep mind though, the difference between 'average' and normal. Average is 100, 80 is below average - significantly so....the difference between a child with an IQ of 80 and an IQ of 120 will be generally dramatic, all other variables being equal.

Schools routinely test IQ, they use the CogAT, then erroneously call that score an IQ score.

:)
K

[rockermom]

The normal range is considered to be 80-120. If someone is wondering if their child qualifies as MR, it usually requires a score of 80 or lower. However, a child could have a higher IQ and have low subtests in certain areas that are impacting their learning. The full score does not always paint a full picture.

On the other end ps gifted programs typically take the top 5% of a the population rather than basing on a specific IQ score. In our school district it typically takes an IQ of 138-140 to qualify for the gifted program.

Debbie

Our school district uses 140 as the qualifier as well.