What is the average IQ score in the general population?

The average IQ score in the general population is established as 100. This designation is set as part of the IQ testing standardization process, where the mean score is calibrated to be 100 to create a bell curve distribution. In this distribution, the majority of scores cluster around the average, which is essential for comparing individuals' cognitive abilities relative to the population.

An IQ score of 100 is also significant because it signifies that a person’s cognitive abilities are roughly equal to the overall population’s average. The scale generally has a standard deviation of 15, meaning that most people will score within 15 points of the average, or between 85 and 115, which encompasses about 68% of the population. This statistical approach helps frame our understanding of intelligence in a broader context.

As a result, a score of 100 serves not only as a benchmark for measuring intelligence but also reflects the normative data from extensive research and testing across diverse demographics.