IQ scores above 200 have fascinated people for decades. However, many of these claims are based on different testing methods or retrospective estimates rather than directly comparable, modern assessments.
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The Highest IQ Scores in History
When asking who has the highest IQ score in the world, the names most often mentioned are Marilyn vos Savant, Terence Tao, and William James Sidis.
While the first two are associated with documented test results, Sidis's reported IQ has been estimated retrospectively.
When comparing these claims, it is important to distinguish documented test scores from retrospective estimates. Modern assessments, including the Stanford–Binet and WAIS, are generally considered more reliable than many early IQ tests, while organizations such as Mensa International use clear standards for qualifying scores.
For interested readers who would like to learn about the process of evaluation of the most famous cases, this IQ ranking breakdown provides a description of each score, its source, and the evidence that served as a base for each particular ranking.
While the lists of the highest IQ ever recorded are quite popular, the specialists recommend taking the extremely high historical cases as estimates rather than proven facts.
Do High-IQ People Actually Have Better Memory?
High IQ is usually linked to the ability to think critically, analyze data, and solve problems effectively, yet it doesn't necessarily mean that such people remember everything they read and see.
It is known that there is some connection between working memory and intelligence; however, these notions evaluate distinct aspects, and a genius-le vel IQ score doesn't necessarily mean that one can use memory successfully.
The Careers Most Associated With High IQ
Research that has been carried out has shown that certain professions are associated with individuals who have high intelligence levels compared to others.
Examples of the highest IQ professions include:
- scientific studies;
- medical profession;
- engineering;
- law;
- teaching at universities.
There are many more factors for success in these disciplines apart from intelligence, which include persistence, communication skills, creativity, and experience.
Can You Increase Your IQ?
Most experts are in agreement that basic intelligence does not change a lot during an individual’s adulthood.
Even though education and experiences can affect performance, there is no substantial evidence that shows it is possible for people to significantly increase their IQ score.
This is among the reasons why standardized tests, including the Mensa IQ test, are more focused on measuring the individual intelligence level and not learning.
FAQ'S
According to psychologists, IQ levels above 140 are regarded as “very superior” and hence can be classified as genius IQ.
Most of the historical claims that get quoted most often have been estimated and reconstructed and not necessarily measured through standardized IQ tests.
Bottom Line
The highest recorded IQs have never failed to arouse the interest of people, but a majority of the popular figures always come with some important caveats.
The difference between whether the score was actually measured, estimated, or reconstructed plays as crucial a role as the actual figure itself.
In the real world, the capability of learning quickly, adjusting one's thinking based on fresh information, and solving problems without fail becomes far more important than attempting to break records in IQ claims.
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