How rare is an IQ of 117?
An IQ of 117 is at the Above average level (Top ~25%). IQ follows a normal distribution with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15, and an IQ of 117 sits as follows.
Deviation score
61.3
Top
12.85%
Rarity
1 in 8
z-score
1.13
Position in the IQ distribution (mean 100, SD 15)
Measurement error: the realistic range of an IQ of 117
IQ scores always carry measurement error: the same person can score a few points higher or lower on a different day. A result of 117 is therefore best read not as an exact value but as somewhere around IQ 112–122 (±5). Under the normal-distribution model (mean 100, SD 15), that range corresponds to roughly the top 21.19% to the top 7.12% of the population.
Does 5 points matter? IQ 112 / 117 / 122 compared
| IQ | Top % | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| IQ112 | 21.19% | 1 in 5 |
| IQ117this page | 12.85% | 1 in 8 |
| IQ122 | 7.12% | 1 in 14 |
A 5-point gap is within the typical measurement error of an IQ test: two people 5 points apart could easily swap places on a retest. Small differences between nearby scores should not be over-interpreted.
Characteristics and tendencies of an IQ of 117
The following are general tendencies seen at this level; individual differences apply. IQ measures one aspect of thinking, such as fluid reasoning.
- •Above average. A tendency to acquire new knowledge and procedures relatively quickly.
- •Typically handles standard tasks reliably.
Relationship to Mensa
Mensa's admission criterion is "the top 2% (roughly IQ 130 or above)." An IQ of 117 does not reach this criterion. Actual membership requires taking an approved supervised test.
Note: Most celebrity IQ figures seen online are estimates from unreliable sources. This page does not publish individual IQ values that cannot be verified.
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A free 20-question test takes about 10 minutes and gives you your estimated IQ, deviation score, and national ranking.
Measure your IQ for free →Frequently asked questions
- What percentile is an IQ of 117?
- An IQ of 117 corresponds to roughly the top 12.85%, or about 1 in 8 people.
- Is an IQ of 117 high? Is it impressive?
- It is at the Above average level (Top ~25%), placing it in roughly the top 12.85%. That said, IQ measures only a small part of thinking and does not determine a person's worth or success.
- Can you join Mensa with an IQ of 117?
- Mensa's admission criterion is "the top 2% (roughly IQ 130 or above)." An IQ of 117 does not reach the threshold (IQ 130).
- What is the deviation score for an IQ of 117?
- Converting IQ (mean 100, SD 15) to a deviation score gives about 61.3.
Common questions in the IQ 110–119 band
- Is an IQ of 117 good enough to be proud of?
- An IQ of 117 is above roughly 87% of people — clearly above average. It is a solid result, though a 5-point retest swing is normal, so treat it as "comfortably above the middle" rather than a precise rank.
- Does an IQ in the 110s help with studying or work?
- On average, scores in this range correlate with faster learning of new material. But the correlation is loose: study habits, domain knowledge, and persistence typically matter more for real outcomes than a 10-point IQ difference.
- How big is the gap between 117 and 120?
- 3 points. An IQ of 120 is around the top 9.12%, versus the top 12.85% at 117. Because that gap is within or near the test's error margin, the two levels are hard to distinguish reliably from a single sitting.
Age and testing conditions
- •IQ is a deviation score relative to people of the same age: a score compares you with your own age group, so children's and adults' scores are not on the same footing.
- •Results from informal online tests, including the test on this site, are estimates. For medical or educational decisions, use a standardized test administered by a qualified professional.
- •Sleep deprivation, fatigue, and practice effects all move measured scores. Read any single result, high or low, with that in mind.