Parents often see an IQ number and wonder what it means for a child. The key idea is simple: children are compared with other children of the same age.
How kids' IQ scores work
On standard IQ scales, the average for each age group is set at 100. A 7-year-old who scores 100 reasons about as well as a typical 7-year-old. About two out of three children score between 85 and 115, which is the normal, average range.
- 85 to 115: average range, where most children are.
- 115 to 130: above average.
- 130 and above: roughly the top 2 percent, often linked with gifted programmes.
Scores change in young children
Children's scores, especially before about age 6, are less stable than adults'. Development comes in bursts, and a child's mood, sleep and familiarity with puzzles all affect the result on the day. A single score is a snapshot, not a prediction of their future.
What IQ does not measure
Creativity, kindness, persistence, musical or physical talent, curiosity and many practical skills are not captured by an IQ score, yet they matter enormously in life.
About our Kids IQ Test
Our Kids IQ Test uses picture puzzles and compares your child with children of the same age. It is designed to be encouraging, for fun and self-discovery, and is not a clinical assessment. If you have concerns about your child's development or learning, a teacher or an educational psychologist is the right person to ask.
How to use a result
- Treat it as one piece of information among many.
- Look at which kinds of puzzles your child enjoyed or found hard.
- Use it to choose activities, not to label your child.