How rare is an IQ of 122?
An IQ of 122 is at the High level (Top ~9%). IQ follows a normal distribution with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15, and an IQ of 122 sits as follows.
Deviation score
64.7
Top
7.12%
Rarity
1 in 14
z-score
1.47
Position in the IQ distribution (mean 100, SD 15)
Measurement error: the realistic range of an IQ of 122
IQ scores always carry measurement error: the same person can score a few points higher or lower on a different day. A result of 122 is therefore best read not as an exact value but as somewhere around IQ 117–127 (±5). Under the normal-distribution model (mean 100, SD 15), that range corresponds to roughly the top 12.85% to the top 3.59% of the population.
Does 5 points matter? IQ 117 / 122 / 127 compared
| IQ | Top % | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| IQ117 | 12.85% | 1 in 8 |
| IQ122this page | 7.12% | 1 in 14 |
| IQ127 | 3.59% | 1 in 28 |
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 122
The following are general tendencies seen at this level; individual differences apply. IQ measures one aspect of thinking, such as fluid reasoning.
- •Well above average. A relative strength in tasks requiring logical reasoning and pattern recognition.
- •Often able to grasp new concepts and process rule-based problems smoothly.
Relationship to Mensa
Mensa's admission criterion is "the top 2% (roughly IQ 130 or above)." An IQ of 122 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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Measure your IQ for free →Frequently asked questions
- What percentile is an IQ of 122?
- An IQ of 122 corresponds to roughly the top 7.12%, or about 1 in 14 people.
- Is an IQ of 122 high? Is it impressive?
- It is at the High level (Top ~9%), placing it in roughly the top 7.12%. 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 122?
- Mensa's admission criterion is "the top 2% (roughly IQ 130 or above)." An IQ of 122 does not reach the threshold (IQ 130).
- What is the deviation score for an IQ of 122?
- Converting IQ (mean 100, SD 15) to a deviation score gives about 64.7.
Common questions in the IQ 120–129 band
- Is an IQ of 122 enough to join Mensa?
- Mensa admits roughly the top 2%, which corresponds to about IQ 130. An IQ of 122 is 8 points short — a gap within the typical measurement error, so a supervised test on a good day could land either side of the line. The only way to know is to take an accredited test.
- Is an IQ in the 120s considered "gifted"?
- Most definitions of gifted start around IQ 130 (top ~2%). The 120s — roughly the top 9.12% to 2.66% — are usually labeled "superior" or "high," a level where complex reasoning tasks tend to feel comfortable, though it falls just below common gifted cutoffs.
- Does an IQ of 122 determine which careers suit me?
- No. Group averages differ across professions, but the spread within every profession is large. An IQ of 122 is compatible with essentially any career; interest, training, and practical skills are far stronger predictors of success in a specific field.
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.