IQ scores
What an IQ of 70 means
An IQ of 70 is at the 2 percentile on the standard scale. About 1 person in 44 scores this low or lower. It falls in the range usually labelled low.
IQ 70 at a glance
| Percentile | 2 |
| Rarity | 1 in 44 (this low or lower) |
| Range | Low (about 7 in 100 of people) |
| Distance from average | 2.00 standard deviations below |
| Same result on SD 16 | 68 |
| Same result on SD 24 (Cattell) | 52 |
What it tells you
A score of 70 is below the average range. On a single short test this often reflects the conditions (a rushed sitting, a small screen, an unfamiliar task or a second language) at least as much as ability.
A low score on an unsupervised online test is not a diagnosis of anything. If you are concerned about learning or thinking difficulties, a qualified psychologist can carry out a proper assessment.
How sure can you be of a score of 70?
That depends on the test. On a long, supervised assessment the margin of error is a few points. On a short online test it is around ten, so a reported 70 means a true score probably somewhere between 59 and 81. That span runs from the 0.3 to the 10 percentile.
Scores also depend on the scale. If your 70 came from a test using a standard deviation of 16 or 24, it is not the same as 70 here; the percentile calculator converts between them.
Nearby scores
- IQ 80: 9 percentile.
- The full IQ scale, with every range.