Having an IQ of 170 puts someone in the top 0.1% of the population in terms of intelligence. An IQ this high is incredibly rare and signifies exceptional intellectual abilities. But what exactly does an IQ of 170 mean in practical terms? How does it impact someone’s life and what kinds of things can a person with a 170 IQ do?
Understanding IQ Scores
IQ stands for “intelligence quotient” and it is a score derived from standardized tests designed to measure human intelligence and cognitive abilities. The most well-known IQ tests are the Stanford-Binet IQ test and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). On most tests, 100 is set as the average score for the general population. Approximately 68% of people score between 85 and 115 on IQ tests.
IQ scores follow what is known as a normal distribution, meaning that the scores cluster around the average. As you move further from 100 in either direction, the scores become increasingly less common. An IQ of 170 is more than four standard deviations above the mean IQ of 100, putting it in the 99.99th percentile.
According to IQ expert Professor Linda Gottfredson, an IQ of 170 would be achieved by approximately 1 in 31,560 people, or 0.003% of the population. Essentially it means only 3-4 people out of every 100,000 have an IQ this high.
What Does an IQ of 170 Mean?
An IQ of 170 indicates exceptionally high cognitive abilities and intelligence:
- Abstract reasoning ability at the 99.9th percentile.
- Ability to quickly solve complex logical problems and critically analyze information.
- Highly advanced vocabulary and reading comprehension skills.
- Capacity for critical thinking and making connections between disparate concepts.
- Excellent memory and ability to retain large amounts of information.
- Highly advanced spatial intelligence and visual processing abilities.
Overall, a 170 IQ signifies that the person’s cognitive and intellectual abilities are far above average. Someone with this level of intelligence has immense potential to succeed academically and career-wise, given appropriate opportunities and education.
Real World Implications
So what does having a 170 IQ mean for someone’s actual life and what they are able to accomplish? Here are some real world implications of having an exceptionally high IQ:
- Can pursue highly advanced academic degrees and careers in fields like science, medicine, law, engineering, etc.
- Capable of thriving at top universities and academic programs around the world.
- Can learn new information, skills, and languages extremely rapidly compared to general population.
- Ability to understand highly complex concepts and systems that average people struggle with.
- Capacity for creative and original thinking to make groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.
- Potential to excel in areas like chess, computer programming, music, art, athletics, etc. if properly nurtured.
However, it is important to note that a high IQ alone does not guarantee success or achievement in life. Attitude, motivation, personality, interests, education, opportunities and other factors also play an important role in what someone is able to accomplish.
Examples of Accomplished Individuals with IQs of 170 or Higher
While an IQ of 170 or higher is exceedingly rare, there are a few examples of highly successful people who are reported to have scored at this level:
- Terence Tao – Math professor at UCLA who won the Fields Medal in mathematics. His IQ scores range from 230-240 by some estimates.
- Christopher Langan – Independent scholar and autodidact with expertise in mathematics, philosophy, and other fields. Reputed to have an IQ between 195-210.
- Kim Ung-Yong – Korean former child prodigy who went on to become a civil engineer. His childhood IQ was measured at 210.
- Garry Kasparov – Chess grandmaster and former world champion. Reported to have an IQ of 190.
- Philip Emeagwali – Nigerian computer scientist who helped develop techniques for parallel computing. IQ estimated at 190.
- Judit Polgar – Chess grandmaster and considered the strongest female player in history. Her IQ is reportedly over 170.
As you can see, people with IQs in this range have gone on to make major intellectual and creative contributions in their fields. A 170 IQ signifies that someone has the raw cognitive potential to reach remarkable heights in academia, research, business, and other intellectually demanding domains.
IQ and Career Success
While IQ is not a perfect predictor of career accomplishment, in general there is a correlation between IQ scores and success in cognitively demanding professions. Here is an overview of average IQ by occupation:
Occupation | Average IQ Range |
---|---|
Physicians | 125-134 |
Attorneys | 128-134 |
Engineers | 125-134 |
Scientists | 130-145 |
College Professors | 130-145 |
Accountants | 115-129 |
Nurses | 95-104 |
Skilled Trades | 100-110 |
Salespersons | 94-105 |
Secretaries | 93-105 |
General Laborers | 88-96 |
As you can see from the table, advanced professional careers like medicine, law, engineering and academia tend to have higher average IQs. An IQ of 170 would be at the extreme upper end of intelligence even for the most intellectually demanding careers.
Potential Limitations
There are some potential limitations to consider for those with extremely high IQs:
- May become easily bored with schoolwork not challenging enough.
- Difficulty relating to peers; potential social isolation.
- Perfectionistic tendencies, frustration when things cannot be mastered immediately.
- One-dimensional focus on academics; neglect of other important life skills.
- Potential arrogance about intellectual abilities.
However, with proper support and guidance, a highly intelligent person can learn to adapt to these challenges and use their abilities in positive ways to enrich their lives and contribute to society.
Nurturing High Intelligence
For those with exceptionally high IQs, certain factors can help them further develop their potential:
- Early identification – Recognizing advanced abilities at a young age through testing.
- Individualized education – Learning opportunities tailored to higher skill levels.
- Enrichment activities – Extracurriculars that nurture interests and talents.
- Social-emotional guidance – Help relating to peers and building self-esteem.
- Career mentoring – Advice on advanced education and career paths.
With the right developmental support, a 170 IQ can be fully actualized into remarkable creativity, innovation, scholarly impact, and leadership.
Conclusion
In summary, an IQ of 170 is exceptionally rare, possessed by approximately 1 in 30,000 people. It signifies outstanding intellectual potential and advanced cognitive abilities across verbal, mathematical, spatial, memory and analytical domains. While IQ alone does not guarantee success, individuals with IQs at this level who also have passion, motivation and opportunities can reach tremendous heights in intellectually demanding fields and make profound contributions to society. Nurturing these abilities through specialized education and enrichment can help the exceptionally gifted fully develop their talents and share their gifts with the world.