IQ scores
What an IQ of 85 means
An IQ of 85 is at the 16 percentile on the standard scale. About 1 person in 6.3 scores this low or lower. It falls in the range usually labelled below average.
IQ 85 at a glance
| Percentile | 16 |
| Rarity | 1 in 6.3 (this low or lower) |
| Range | Below average (about 16 in 100 of people) |
| Distance from average | 1.00 standard deviations below |
| Same result on SD 16 | 84 |
| Same result on SD 24 (Cattell) | 76 |
What it tells you
A score of 85 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 85?
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 85 means a true score probably somewhere between 74 and 96. That span runs from the 4 to the 39 percentile.
Scores also depend on the scale. If your 85 came from a test using a standard deviation of 16 or 24, it is not the same as 85 here; the percentile calculator converts between them.
Nearby scores
- IQ 80: 9 percentile.
- IQ 90: 25 percentile.
- The full IQ scale, with every range.