The thing about genius IQ is that we all want to have it — secretly or otherwise. And while we all may have moments of genius, the truth of the matter is only .009 per cent of us qualify as being geniuses.
That breaks down to only 1 in 11,000 people — and that’s for the lowest ranking on the genius IQ scale. The highest recordable IQ is so rare that less that 1 in 10 billion people are estimated to have it.
Considering there are only 7 billion people on the planet right now, the odds really aren’t in your favour.
A bit of a letdown, isn’t it?
But you can console yourself with the fact that being gifted doesn’t come without its challenges. People who are highly intelligent often suffer from some significant obstacles, including:
- Anxiety
- Loneliness
- Low levels of physical activity
- Lack of purpose
- Problems with alcohol and drug addiction
You can read more about the problems of a genius IQ here.
What is Genius IQ?
Genius is a term that’s become a part of popular culture. It’s not a scientific term, and there’s no hard-and-fast definition for genius IQ.
The most brilliant minds are considered to have high IQ scores.
These high IQ scores must reach certain levels to merit the designation ‘genius’.
Score more than 130 on the IQ test scale and you are considered gifted. Score more than 145, and you are considered highly gifted. A score of more than 160 puts you in a category of exceptionally gifted.
This is a place that is very lonely — only 1 in 100,000 achieve the designation of exceptionally gifted.
What Makes a Genius?
Generally the standard level for being designated as having genius IQ is a score of 160 or more on a recognized IQ test. A score of 140 on the Stanford Binet is considered a genius level by some — though again, that interpretation is the subject of some disagreement.
Prominent American psychologist Lewis Terman considered genius to be denoted by a score of 160, but his colleague Leta Hollingworth put the score at 180.
So you can see, there is no single view. After all, IQ testing itself is the subject of much debate. Some consider IQ testing itself to be culturally biased and therefore an unreliable means of determining intelligence.
What is certain is that if you scored in the top 2 percent of the population with your IQ test score, you would be eligible to join Mensa, the group that includes the brightest of the bright.
Genius IQ in History
In history, many people stand out for their high IQ. Charles Darwin, the famed British scientist, had an estimated IQ of 165. Bobby Fischer, the famed American chess player, had his IQ estimated at 187. And Leonardo Da Vinci had an estimated IQ of an amazing 205.
Marilyn Vos Savant is reported to have the highest IQ in recorded history. She achieved a score of 228 when she was just a child.
It’s important to put things in perspective here. Most people have an IQ between 85 and 115 with the average score on IQ tests being 100 — so in addition to having a somewhat vague definition, an actual genius is pretty rare.
Let’s Not Take Ourselves Too Seriously
The quest for a genius IQ can sometimes cause you to lose perspective…if you are looking for a laugh, this video explains how taking a pull to make you dumber can actually be a key to happiness and success:
Learn the Hallmarks of Genius IQ
There is no single definition for those individuals who achieve remarkably high IQ scores. The label can refer to people who have excelled so monumentally in certain disciplines that they stand head and shoulders above everyone else. Albert Einstein, for example, is recognized as a scientific genius. His actual IQ was measured at 160, so by no means was he leading the pack when it comes to IQ test scores.
Hallmarks of high IQ scores include a high degree of mastery combined with remarkable insight. We use terms like “creative genius” and “artistic genius.” In our modern culture, the term genius has become a common reference for someone who possesses a unique and enviable talent.
Even actors such as Marlon Brando have been described as genius, but here we see that the term becomes relative, for there is no simple measurement. If box office scores were the only signifier, then we would have to consider Adam Sandler one (well, that’s another story).
Putting Genius IQ to the Test
Curious if you’ve got the right stuff to be considered a genius? If you’ve got an iPhone, you can put yourself to the test. Check out The IQ Test courtesy iTunes here. The cost is just $6.99, so it’s a small price to play for some entertainment and some increased self awareness!
There are other pay-to-play tests that are designed to help measure genius IQ, but you are often looking at a significant cost to have the test scored.
By the way, there are ways to boost your IQ, if you feel your results are a little lacking….
Genius IQ in Perspective
In a famous Saturday Night Live skit, John Lovitz plays the self-described Master Thespian, an actor who is mentored by a clever master of disguises. When The Master Thespian realizes his master has duped him again by wearing a deceiving costume, he proclaims: “Genius!”
It was a running gag on the popular comedy show. The Master Thespian didn’t take an IQ (Intelligent Quotient) test to determine whether he or his teacher warranted the title, he just jumped to that conclusion.
If you think you have what it takes, you can always take the Mensa test and determine once and for all if you have a genius IQ or not.