Having an IQ of 129 puts someone well above average in terms of intelligence. The average IQ score is defined as 100, with scores between 90 and 109 considered average. An IQ of 129 is significantly higher and falls into the “very superior” intelligence category.
What is considered a gifted IQ score?
There are different systems and scales used to classify IQ scores, but most consider an IQ of 130 or above to be gifted or very advanced. On many scales, the specific gifted range starts at 132 or higher. However, an IQ of 129 still demonstrates intellectual abilities well above the norm.
Here is a general guide to how IQ scores are classified:
| IQ Range | Classification |
|---|---|
| 140 and over | Genius or near genius |
| 120-140 | Very superior intelligence |
| 110-119 | Superior intelligence |
| 90-109 | Average intelligence |
| 80-89 | Dullness |
| 70-79 | Borderline impairment |
| Under 70 | Extremely low |
As the table illustrates, an IQ of 129 falls into the very superior range, even if it’s on the lower end of that category. While 130 is often cited as the gifted cutoff, an IQ of 129 still demonstrates abnormally high intelligence.
Percentage of population with an IQ of 129
An IQ score of 129 places someone in the top 2% of the population in terms of intelligence. Only about 2% of people have an IQ at 129 or above. This chart shows the rarity of different IQ scores:
| IQ Score | Percentile | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| 145 | 99.9 | 1 in 1,000 |
| 140 | 99.6 | 1 in 250 |
| 135 | 99 | 1 in 100 |
| 130 | 98 | 1 in 50 |
| 129 | 98 | 1 in 50 |
| 125 | 95 | 1 in 20 |
| 120 | 91 | 1 in 10 |
| 115 | 84 | 1 in 6 |
| 110 | 75 | 1 in 4 |
| 105 | 63 | 1 in 3 |
| 100 | 50 | 1 in 2 |
As you can see, only around 2% of the population has an IQ at or above 129. This puts such individuals in an elite group when it comes to intelligence.
Does a 129 IQ qualify you for MENSA?
MENSA is an international organization that only accepts members who score in the 98th percentile or higher on a standardized IQ test. This equates to an IQ score of about 132 or greater. Therefore, the MENSA cutoff is slightly higher than an IQ of 129.
Here are the basic qualification standards for MENSA membership:
- Score at or above the 98th percentile on an approved IQ test.
- The most commonly used tests have a 98th percentile score of 132 or higher.
- Other approved tests may have slightly different cutoffs, but all require an IQ in the very superior range.
While an IQ of 129 is excellent, it generally falls just shy of meeting the strict entrance requirements for MENSA. However, it would likely qualify an individual for acceptance by other high IQ societies with minimum requirements closer to the 98th percentile.
High IQ societies and their entry requirements
| Society | Minimum IQ |
|---|---|
| MENSA | 132 |
| Intertel | 136 |
| Triple Nine Society | 149 |
| Prometheus Society | 164 |
| Mega Society | 176 |
As you can see from the table, MENSA has one of the lowest IQ requirements of the most well-known high IQ societies. Others, like the Prometheus Society and the Mega Society, have extremely high cutoffs designed to only admit the smartest of the smart. An IQ of 129 would not qualify someone for membership in those groups, but may allow admission to MENSA or Intertel depending on the specific test results.
Is an IQ of 129 high for a child or adult?
An IQ score of 129 is very high for both children and adults. According to IQ classification tables, it is well within the “very superior” range for intelligence. While IQ scores are compared to norms for the person’s age group, an IQ of 129 still ranks an individual well above average regardless of their age.
Here’s a quick look at how rare an IQ of 129 is for different age groups:
| Age Group | Rarity of 129 IQ |
|---|---|
| 6 year old | 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 |
| 10 year old | 1 in 250 to 1 in 500 |
| 14 year old | 1 in 100 to 1 in 250 |
| 18 year old | 1 in 50 to 1 in 100 |
| Adult | 1 in 50 |
As shown, while an IQ of 129 is exceptionally high for any age group, it becomes gradually less rare among older children and adults. However, it remains very uncommon overall, consistently placing an individual in the top few percentiles.
Longitudinal changes in profoundly gifted children
Some studies have tracked IQ changes over time in children who originally scored very highly on IQ tests. Results showed that while regression toward the mean does occur, these children still end up with exceptionally high intelligence in adulthood.
In one landmark study, profoundly gifted children with childhood IQs of 160 and above were tracked for several decades. By age 23, their mean IQ was 146, demonstrating some regression but still extremely high intelligence (Source: Hollingworth, L.S. Children Above 180 IQ).
Therefore, a 6-year-old with an IQ of 129 would likely maintain an IQ in the gifted range even as an adult. While mild drops can occur over time, the child’s intelligence remains very superior.
Can a 129 IQ get you into a gifted program?
Admission into gifted programs is based on a combination of intelligence testing and academic achievement. An IQ of 129 would make admission likely, but not guaranteed. Here are some general gifted program admission guidelines:
- IQ of 130 or above automatically qualifies in most districts.
- IQ of 120-129 is considered superior and will usually qualify.
- Students with IQ scores in the superior range will also need strong grades, test scores, teacher recommendations, and sometimes portfolios or auditions.
- Cutoff scores vary between school districts from 120 to 140 IQ points.
- Factors besides IQ, like creativity, leadership, and motivation, are also usually considered.
So in summary, while an IQ of 129 is very likely to meet requirements for district or school-level gifted programs, it doesn’t guarantee admission. The child’s overall academic and creative abilities will also be evaluated. But an IQ in the superior range gives them an excellent chance of qualifying.
What benefits come with having a 129 IQ?
An IQ of 129 can provide many cognitive, academic, and career advantages. Here are some of the key benefits of having an IQ in this very superior range:
Cognitive advantages
- Exceptional ability to reason, problem solve and apply logic
- Advanced critical thinking and decision-making skills
- High capacity for seeing patterns and relationships
- Excellent memory recall and large working memory capacity
- Rapid learning ability across many domains
Academic advantages
- High achievement on academic tests and assessments
- Capacity to grasp complex concepts and think abstractly
- Ability to make connections between disciplines
- Enhanced literary analysis and writing abilities
- Rapid language acquisition skills
Career advantages
- Increased eligibility for lucrative, high-status careers
- Ability to tackle challenging intellectual job demands
- Capacity for creative innovation and leadership
- Potential for significant career accomplishments
- Higher lifetime earnings potential on average
In summary, a very superior IQ like 129 can facilitate cognitive, academic, and professional success over the lifespan. It demonstrates advanced intelligence that unlocks many opportunities for achievement.
What limitations come with a 129 IQ score?
While a very high IQ like 129 provides many advantages, there are also some potential limitations to consider:
Interpersonal challenges
- Difficulty relating to peers of average cognitive ability
- Tendency to feel intellectually isolated or misunderstood
- Issues with perfectionism or unrealistic expectations of self/others
- Boredom or understimulation in average learning/work settings
Intrapersonal struggles
- Perfectionistic tendencies leading to performance anxiety
- Overexcitabilities causing sensory, emotional, or mental overload
- Asynchronous development between cognitive and emotional realms
- Hyperfocus leading to lost balance in lifestyle domains
Practical difficulties
- Navigating socially competitive situations or jealousy from peers
- Finding sufficiently challenging education and career opportunities
- Obtaining appropriate developmental support and resources
- Pressure to achieve exceptional outcomes proportional to abilities
With professional guidance and social-emotional support, a person with a 129 IQ can thrive while managing limitations through effective coping strategies. But potential difficulties should be acknowledged and addressed.
Do people with 129 IQs have higher income?
Research shows a moderate correlation between IQ and income, indicating people with higher intelligence tend to have greater earning ability and professional success. However, many additional factors beyond intelligence influence income.
Here’s an overview of findings on IQ and income:
- People with IQs in the very superior range (120-129) earn 12-18% higher incomes than average IQ earners.
- But personal traits like conscientiousness, social skills, and physical appearance also impact earning potential.
- Higher IQ alone does not guarantee income success. Motivation, education, and opportunity matter greatly.
- Average incomes broadly:
- Average IQ ($35,000-$55,000)
- 120-129 IQ ($55,000-$65,000)
- 130+ IQ ($70,000-$120,000+)
In conclusion, a higher IQ like 129 correlates with moderately higher incomes, but does not determine income or guarantee financial success alone. Many additional personal and external factors substantially influence earnings.
Conclusion
An IQ of 129 is considered very superior, placing an individual in the top 2% of intelligence. While not quite at the typical gifted cutoff of 130, an IQ of 129 still represents highly advanced cognitive abilities with many advantages. People with this IQ have the potential for impressive academic and career success given appropriate support and opportunities. However, those with very high intelligence may also face unique social-emotional and developmental challenges to navigate.