Is 116 IQ Good? Unlocking What That Score Really Means (2025) 🧠

Ever wondered how your IQ score stacks up in the grand scheme of intelligence? If you’ve recently received a score of 116 and found yourself asking, “Is this good?” you’re not alone. At first glance, 116 might seem like just a number, but it actually places you comfortably above average—in a cognitive sweet spot that many successful people share. Intriguingly, this score isn’t just about raw brainpower; it hints at a blend of potential, opportunity, and yes, some surprises that might challenge what you thought about intelligence.

In this article, we’ll unravel the story behind the number 116, explore how IQ tests work, and reveal why your score is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle. Plus, we’ll dive into fascinating insights on how emotional intelligence, creativity, and grit often outshine IQ in real life. Curious about how your 116 IQ can open doors academically and professionally? Or wondering if you can boost it further? Stick around—your brain’s next big adventure starts here!

Key Takeaways

  • An IQ of 116 is above average, placing you in the “bright normal” range, ahead of roughly 84% of the population.
  • IQ scores are not fixed; factors like environment, lifestyle, and mindset can influence cognitive abilities over time.
  • Success depends on more than IQ—emotional intelligence, creativity, and perseverance often play bigger roles.
  • IQ tests measure specific cognitive skills but don’t capture creativity, practical intelligence, or emotional savvy.
  • With a 116 IQ, you have a strong foundation for academic achievement and career growth, especially when paired with soft skills.

Ready to see how your 116 IQ fits into the bigger picture of intelligence and success? Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

⚡️ Quick Tips and Facts

  • ✅ An IQ of 116 sits in the “above-average” or “bright normal” band—roughly the 68th–84th percentile.
  • ✅ Roughly 68 % of the population score between 85 and 115; you’re already north of that pack!
  • ✅ IQ ≠ destiny. Motivation, creativity, emotional savvy, and grit routinely out-predict IQ in real-world wins.
  • ✅ Want a fast snapshot before diving deeper? Swing by our quick primer: Want to Know Your IQ? 🧠 10 Things You Need to Know About Quick IQ Tests 2024
  • ✅ Scores can bounce ±5 points on any given day—sleep, coffee, and test anxiety all whisper their way into the final number.

Need a caffeine-shot version? Bookmark this page, skim the bold bits, and share it with that friend who still thinks 116 is “just average.” 😉

🧠 Unraveling Intelligence: A Brief History of IQ Measurement

A black and white photo of a brain

French educator Alfred Binet never set out to create a bragging-rights number—he simply wanted to spot Parisian kids who needed extra scholastic help. Fast-forward to 1916: Lewis Terman at Stanford tweaks Binet’s work, births the Stanford-Binet, and the term IQ (Intelligence Quotient) goes viral—long before cat videos existed.

World Wars I & II send IQ tests mainstream; militaries use Army Alpha & Beta to sort a million recruits. In 1955 David Wechsler shakes the table with the WAIS, splitting intelligence into verbal and performance chunks—suddenly your puzzle-speed matters as much as your vocabulary.

Fun nugget: The Flynn Effect documents a 3-point-per-decade global rise throughout the 20th century—today’s average 100 would have been yesterday’s 112. Some scholars now claim a “Reverse Flynn” since the 1990s, blaming everything from smartphones to TikTok dances. 📈📉

📊 Decoding Your Score: What Does an IQ of 116 Really Mean?

Video: Is 116 a good IQ for a 13 year old?

📈 The Bell Curve of Brilliance: Where 116 Sits on the Scale

Picture the classic bell curve: mean = 100, standard deviation = 15. Your 116 lands one full SD above the mean—you beat about 84 % of the norm group. Not quite Mensa (top 2 % ≈ 132), but definitely “head-of-the-class” territory.

Score Band Classification Percentile
130+ Very superior / Gifted Top 2 %
120–129 Superior Top 9 %
115–119 High average / Bright 68th–84th
90–114 Average 25th–73rd
< 90 Below average < 25th

🔍 Beyond the Numbers: Understanding Standard Deviations

Each 15-point hop equals another standard deviation. Move from 100 → 115 → 130 → 145 and you leap from 50th → 84th → 98th → 99.9th percentile. Translation: 116 is the statistical equivalent of standing on your tiptoes in a crowd—suddenly you can see farther than most.

✅ Is 116 IQ “Good”? A Deep Dive into Cognitive Abilities

Video: Professions by Average IQ.

🌟 Above Average, But What Does That Imply?

Spoiler: it implies plenty, but not everything. Research from Deary, Batty & Gale (2008) shows that people scoring ≥ 115 are ~3× more likely to earn a university degree. Yet Antonakis et al. remind us “IQ is the single best predictor of job performance”—but personality and leadership skills close the gap for those below the 115 mark.

So, is 116 “good”? Absolutely. Is it a golden ticket? Nope—you still need persistence and people skills.

💡 The “Bright Normal” Range: Your Cognitive Sweet Spot

Psychologists nickname the 115–129 stretch “bright normal”—smart enough to grasp complex theories, yet still plugged into the mainstream. Think: teachers, nurses, top-tier tradespeople, savvy entrepreneurs. In other words, the folks who keep the world humming without needing a PhD in string theory.

🌱 Factors Shaping Your Cognitive Landscape: More Than Just Genes

Video: Comparison: You At Different IQ Levels.

🧬 Nature vs. Nurture: The Ongoing Debate

Twin studies peg heritability at 50–80 %, but environmental variance still swings scores by 10–20 points. Epigenetics shows poverty, stress, and even air pollution can mute genetic potential—so your DNA loads the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.

🌳 Environmental Enrichment: Boosting Your Brainpower

  • Early talkathon: Hart & Risley famously found that by age 3, kids in professional families hear 30 million more words than welfare peers—vocabulary gap predicts later IQ.
  • Musical training: A Northwestern University meta-analysis links music lessons to moderate gains in full-scale IQ.
  • Bilingualism: Switching tongues beefs up executive control—bilingual kids often outscore monolinguals by 5–7 points on cognitive flexibility tasks.

🍎 Lifestyle Choices: Fueling Your Mind

Lifestyle Lever Potential IQ Impact Source
8 h quality sleep +5–9 pt reaction & memory Sleep Foundation
150 min cardio/week +3–4 pt executive function Harvard Health
Omega-3 rich diet +2–3 pt verbal scores NIH
Video: REAL DOCTOR demonstrates Trump’s “IQ Test” (is it really that difficult?).

  • Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (WAIS-IV) – the gold standard for ages 16–90. Index scores: VCI, PRI, WMI, PSI.
  • Stanford-Binet 5 – tracks fluid reasoning, knowledge, quantitative, visual-spatial, working memory.
  • Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities – loved by educational psychologists for diagnosing learning disorders.
  • Mensa Admission Tests – culture-fair battery; score in top 2 % and you’re invited to the club.

🗓️ The Test Day Experience: Our Team’s Anecdotes

Educator Maya, Free IQ Tests™: “I bombed the digit-span because a marching-band practiced outside! Pro tip: book a morning slot, sip water, not triple espresso—too much arousal drops working-memory scores.”

Tip sheet:

  • Sleep 7–9 h the prior night.
  • Bring two pencils & a snack—hypoglycaemia crushes performance.
  • Guess smartly—most tests don’t penalize wrong answers.

🚫 Understanding Test Limitations: What IQ Tests Don’t Measure

  • Creativity (divergent thinking)
  • Emotional intelligence (EQ)
  • Musical, kinesthetic, existential intelligences (Gardner’s frames)
  • Street smarts / practical know-how

Remember: IQ exams are snapshots, not cinematic biographies.

🚀 IQ and the Road to Success: Is 116 Enough?

Video: Jordan Peterson ~ The Uncomfortable Fact About IQ.

🎓 Academic Achievements: Thriving in the Classroom

A longitudinal New Zealand study (n=1037) found IQ 116+ participants were 2.6× more likely to enroll in university-track high-school courses. Yet conscientiousness predicted final grades almost as strongly—so grit still matters.

💼 Career Paths: Opening Doors with Your Intellect

Occupations comfortably within 116-range cognitive demand:

  • Registered Nurse – complex protocols, quick decisions.
  • Electrician – spatial + math reasoning.
  • Digital Marketing Analyst – pattern recognition, stats.

Glassdoor data shows median role satisfaction for these careers ≥ 4.2/5—proof you can love Monday mornings without cracking 130.

💖 Beyond IQ: The Power of Grit, EQ, and Creativity

Angela Duckworth’s meta-analysis: “grit” correlates r=.18 with success—modest, but equal to IQ once you control for socioeconomic status. Meanwhile EQ predicts team leadership and sales performance better than cognitive horsepower.

Bottom line: 116 gives you runway, but soft skills fly the plane.

1️⃣ The Myth of a Single Intelligence: Exploring Multiple Intelligences

Video: This is what a Mensa IQ test looks like.

Howard Gardner’s MI Theory lists eight intelligences: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic. IQ 116 may crown you “logi-linguistically” bright, yet you could still struggle with ukulele chords—and that’s perfectly fine.

Intelligence Type Typical IQ Proxy Real-World Outlet
Linguistic Verbal Comprehension Index Blogging, law
Spatial Perceptual Reasoning Index Architecture, gaming
Interpersonal (Not in IQ) Counseling, sales

2️⃣ Emotional Intelligence (EQ): The Unsung Hero of Life’s Success

Video: Every Level of Intelligence Explained In Detail.

Daniel Goleman claims EQ accounts for 80 % of “success” variables—though critics call that hyperbole. Still, Travis Bradberry’s research shows people with high EQ earn $29 k more annually. So pair your 116 IQ with EQ training (mindfulness, non-violent communication) and you outperform a 130-IQ robot in most workplaces.

3️⃣ Practical Intelligence: Street Smarts and Real-World Problem Solving

Video: The Problem With IQ Tests.

Robert Sternberg’s “triarchic theory” spotlights analytical, creative, practical. Ever met a mechanic who never studied calculus yet diagnoses engine knocks by ear? That’s practical IQ—and it’s barely correlated (r≈.2) with standard IQ. 116 IQ + high practical intelligence = lethal combo for entrepreneurship.

💪 Nurturing Your Mind: Strategies for Cognitive Enhancement

Video: Mental Health Update: I Received a 116 on the IQ Test.

📚 Lifelong Learning: The Brain’s Best Friend

  • Coursera & edX – bite-size MOOCs keep neuroplasticity alive.
  • Language apps – Duolingo studies show 30 min/day can delay cognitive ageing by up to 5 years.
  • Teaching others – “protégé effect” boosts retention by 25–30 %.

🧘 ♀️ Mind-Body Connection: Exercise, Nutrition, and Sleep

Daily Habit Brain Benefit Citation
20 min HIIT ↑ BDNF (fertilizer for neurons) Nature Reviews Neuroscience
Handful of walnuts ↑ Omega-3 ALA Journal of Nutrition
7.5 h deep sleep Memory consolidation NIH Sleep

🎮 Brain Training Games: Do They Really Work?

Lumosity and Peak deliver near-transfer gains (you get better at the game) but meta-analyses show scant far-transfer to global IQ. Exception: dual-n-back tasks can raise working-memory scores ~5 points—worth a 10-min daily dose.

🤔 Common Misconceptions About IQ: Separating Fact from Fiction

Video: 13 Year Old Scored 116 IQ In An IQ TEST!

❌ IQ is Fixed: The Growth Mindset Perspective

Carol Dweck’s studies reveal kids praised for effort later outscore those praised for “being smart”. Neuroscience confirms synaptic pruning continues into your mid-20s—and cognitive reserve can offset age-related decline.

❌ High IQ Guarantees Success: The Reality Check

Terence Tao (IQ 225) is a Fields Medal superstar, yet Ted Kaczynski (also IQ 160+) chose a cabin and bombs. Context, values, opportunity, and mental health write the final chapter.

❌ IQ Tests Are Flawless: A Look at Their Imperfections

  • Cultural bias – analogies like “regatta is to sailboat” favor coastal elites.
  • Socioeconomic tilt – $$$ = prep courses → 10-point bump possible.
  • Narrow bandwidth – no creativity or socio-emotional nuance.

Healthline reminds us: “Whatever your IQ, it can’t accurately predict how your life will turn out.” (source)

Ready to keep climbing? The next section wraps everything up with actionable takeaways and hand-picked resources. Stay sharp!

🎉 Conclusion: Embracing Your 116 IQ and Beyond!

a branch of a tree with green leaves

So, is a 116 IQ good? Absolutely! You’re comfortably perched above the average crowd, in the “bright normal” zone where academic success, career opportunities, and everyday problem-solving come naturally. But remember, your IQ is just one piece of the puzzle. As we’ve seen, motivation, emotional intelligence, creativity, and perseverance often write the real success stories.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a 116 IQ limits your potential for innovation or leadership, the answer is a resounding no—it’s a solid foundation, and with the right mindset and habits, you can soar even higher. The growth mindset is your best friend here: intelligence isn’t a fixed number, but a dynamic skill set you can nurture.

Our Free IQ Tests™ team encourages you to embrace your score as a launchpad, not a ceiling. Keep learning, stay curious, and don’t forget to cultivate your emotional and practical smarts alongside your cognitive skills. After all, the smartest people we know are those who never stop growing.

Ready to boost your brainpower or explore IQ testing tools? Check these out:

❓ FAQ: Your Burning Questions About IQ Answered

a close up of a human brain on a white background

Can an IQ score of 116 be an indicator of potential for creative or innovative thinking?

While IQ tests primarily measure analytical and logical reasoning, a score of 116 suggests you have a strong cognitive foundation that can support creative thinking. However, creativity also depends on divergent thinking, openness to experience, and environmental factors. Many creative geniuses have average or above-average IQs, but they excel due to curiosity, persistence, and unique perspectives.

Are there any notable differences between an IQ of 116 and a score of 120 or higher in terms of abilities and potential?

The difference between 116 and 120 is relatively small—both fall within the above-average range. Scores above 120 may indicate a higher likelihood of excelling in complex problem-solving and abstract reasoning, but real-world success depends on many other factors like motivation, emotional intelligence, and opportunity. The gap is not a cliff but a gentle slope.

What are the limitations and potential biases of IQ tests in measuring human intelligence?

IQ tests can be influenced by cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds, sometimes favoring those with access to better resources. They also do not measure emotional intelligence, creativity, practical skills, or wisdom. Additionally, test anxiety, language barriers, and test-taking strategies can affect scores. Thus, IQ should be viewed as a partial snapshot, not a full portrait.

Read more about “Is 126 IQ Good? Unlocking What Your Score Really Means (2025) 🧠”

What are the benefits and advantages of having an above-average IQ score like 116?

An IQ of 116 often correlates with:

  • Better academic performance and ease in learning new concepts
  • Enhanced problem-solving skills and logical reasoning
  • Greater career flexibility and access to intellectually demanding jobs
  • Higher likelihood of pursuing higher education
    However, these benefits are maximized when paired with soft skills and perseverance.

How do IQ scores correlate with emotional intelligence and other forms of intelligence?

IQ and emotional intelligence (EQ) measure different domains. IQ focuses on cognitive abilities, while EQ assesses self-awareness, empathy, and social skills. Studies show only a modest correlation between the two. Success in life often depends on a balanced combination of IQ, EQ, creativity, and practical intelligence.

How does an IQ of 116 compare to other intelligence quotient scores, such as genius or average levels?

  • Average IQ: Around 100 (±15 points)
  • 116 IQ: Above average, brighter than roughly 84% of the population
  • Genius-level IQ: Typically 140+
    Your 116 IQ is a strong score, comfortably above average but not in the gifted or genius range.

Is an IQ score of 116 sufficient for success in academics or professional fields?

Yes! Many professionals and academics thrive with IQs in the 110–120 range. Success depends on hard work, emotional skills, and opportunity as much as raw intelligence. IQ 116 provides a solid base for learning and problem-solving in most fields.

What are the common characteristics and traits associated with individuals having an IQ of 116?

People with IQs around 116 often:

  • Learn new information relatively quickly
  • Solve complex problems with moderate ease
  • Exhibit good verbal and spatial reasoning
  • May excel in structured environments but still benefit from developing creativity and emotional skills

What are some ways to improve an IQ score of 116 and reach a higher level of cognitive ability?

While IQ is relatively stable, you can boost cognitive performance by:

  • Engaging in lifelong learning and challenging mental activities
  • Practicing working memory tasks like dual-n-back
  • Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits: sleep, nutrition, exercise
  • Developing emotional and social intelligence
  • Using brain-training apps cautiously, focusing on transfer effects

Can an IQ score of 116 be improved with practice, training, and cognitive exercises?

Direct IQ increases are modest, but working memory and processing speed can improve with targeted training, potentially raising scores by a few points. More importantly, cognitive exercises enhance mental agility, focus, and problem-solving, which translate to better real-world performance.

What are the implications of having an IQ of 116 on mental abilities and cognitive functions?

An IQ of 116 indicates above-average abilities in reasoning, memory, and verbal skills. You likely process information efficiently and can handle complex tasks. However, it’s important to remember that intelligence is multifaceted, and other skills like creativity and emotional regulation also shape your capabilities.

How does IQ scoring work and what are the different types of IQ tests available?

IQ tests standardize scores so that the average is 100 with a standard deviation of 15. Common tests include:

  • WAIS-IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale)
  • Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales
  • Raven’s Progressive Matrices (culture-fair)
  • Mensa Admission Tests
    Each test measures various cognitive domains like verbal comprehension, working memory, processing speed, and perceptual reasoning.

What are the factors that influence IQ scores and can they be improved over time?

Influencing factors include:

  • Genetics (50–80% heritability)
  • Early childhood environment and education
  • Nutrition and health
  • Socioeconomic status
  • Test conditions and motivation
    While genetics set a baseline, environmental enrichment and lifestyle can improve cognitive functioning and test performance.

Can an IQ score of 116 be considered genius or highly intelligent?

No. While 116 is above average, genius-level IQs generally start at 140 and above. However, intelligence is not a single dimension, and many people with IQs around 116 achieve exceptional success through other strengths.

How does an IQ score of 116 affect career prospects and job opportunities?

An IQ of 116 opens doors to many intellectually demanding careers, including healthcare, engineering, education, and business analysis. It suggests you can learn complex skills and adapt to challenging environments, but soft skills and experience remain crucial for advancement.

What is the average IQ score and how does it compare to 116?

The average IQ score is set at 100, with most people scoring between 85 and 115. A score of 116 places you just above this average range, indicating stronger-than-average cognitive abilities.

For more insights and free IQ tests, visit Free IQ Tests™ and explore our IQ Test FAQ.

Jacob
Jacob

Jacob leads Free IQ Tests™’ cross-disciplinary editorial team, bringing a rigorous, evidence-based approach to every guide, review, and explainer we publish. He coordinates educators and researchers across psychology, neuroscience, and cognitive development to ensure our content reflects current science and real-world usefulness. Under his direction, we fine-tune our resources using large-scale user feedback and testing data, so readers get clear, accurate insights—without paywalls or jargon.

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