IQ scores
What an IQ of 80 means
An IQ of 80 is at the 9 percentile on the standard scale. About 1 person in 11 scores this low or lower. It falls in the range usually labelled below average.
IQ 80 at a glance
| Percentile | 9 |
| Rarity | 1 in 11 (this low or lower) |
| Range | Below average (about 16 in 100 of people) |
| Distance from average | 1.33 standard deviations below |
| Same result on SD 16 | 79 |
| Same result on SD 24 (Cattell) | 68 |
What it tells you
A score of 80 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 80?
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 80 means a true score probably somewhere between 69 and 91. That span runs from the 2 to the 27 percentile.
Scores also depend on the scale. If your 80 came from a test using a standard deviation of 16 or 24, it is not the same as 80 here; the percentile calculator converts between them.
Nearby scores
- IQ 70: 2 percentile.
- IQ 85: 16 percentile.
- The full IQ scale, with every range.