If an IQ of 160 is considered genius at what level does genius end?

Answer 1

It is not the numerical value (for example, 160) of the IQ test that matters, but rather the percentile (usually above the 98th) and the standard deviation (usually two standard deviations) that indicates potentially superior intelligence. The numerical score on one IQ test does not even have the same meaning as the same numerical score on a different type of IQ test. For example. An IQ score of 160 the Cattell Culture Fair IQ test is only equal to a score of 140 on the Wechsler (both are very strong scores).

To make matters even more confusing, many tests administered have a ceiling of only 140 to 160. That means that the highest score one could get on certain tests may only be 140, even if that person could achieve a statistically higher score on a different test.

The consensus in the field of psychology is that a score of two standard deviations above the norm (roughly higher than 95 to 98 percent of the population) is an indication of very superior intelligence. Sometimes the word "gifted" is used. Scoring significantly higher than two standard deviations above the norm is basically meaningless. To accurately measure intelligence beyond two standard deviations above the norm requires a deeper analysis by an expert in the field of psychology specializing in psychometric analysis.

Again, whether or not someone is actually a "genius" requires a more careful psychometric study of an individual's intellectual strength (mathematical, spatial, linguistic, pattern-solving, etc.). Though the belief is often held by lay persons and children that IQ tests are "genius detectors", no IQ test can honestly indicate if someone is actually a genius. Scoring the same on an IQ test as Stephen Hawking does not make you as smart as Stephen Hawking.

IQ tests are not without limitations. Unfortunately, in some instances high IQ scores are actually more of an indication of a person's familiarity with IQ tests and not the individual's real intelligence level. IQ tests are also academically loaded to some degree, resulting in persons with less access to academic resources during their lives having artificially lower scores than persons with greater access. An individual's score may also vary (usually by about ten points) depending on diet, stress, level of sleep, etc.

In the United States of America, Marilyn vos Savant has been extensively studied and it was determined using modern standards that her approximate IQ level would be equivalent to at least 228; meaning that her intelligence level appears in the general population with a frequency of about 1 to a million. That are a handful of other individuals who have been estimated to have even higher intelligence quotients. What one has to understand is that this was the result of an advanced cognitive study and not simply Marilyn vos Savant sitting down with a number two pencil and a multiple choice test.

-------------------------------------------------------

An IQ score of 140 is considered Genius, so 160 is definitely in the genius range. 140 is the lowest score in the Genius IQ range. The highest IQ measured under the current testing is 210. (This statement is actually not entirely accurate. See explanation above)