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Quick answer: A “good” IQ score is the same at every age because IQ tests are age-normalized: 100 is average, and any score from 90 to 109 is normal. Above 110 is above average, and 130+ is the gifted range (about 2% of children).
If your child just took an IQ test, the first question is almost always the same: is this a good score for their age? The short answer surprises most parents — a “good” IQ score is the same at every age, because IQ tests are designed that way. Below is the full chart, what the numbers actually mean, and how to test your child with age-appropriate questions.
How child IQ scores really work
Modern IQ tests (like the Wechsler and Stanford–Binet scales) are age-normalized. Your child’s raw answers are compared only to other children of the same age, then converted to a standard score where 100 is exactly average — at every age, with a standard deviation of 15 points.
So a 6-year-old scoring 112 and a 14-year-old scoring 112 are in the same place relative to their peers. A higher raw performance is expected from a 14-year-old, but the scoring scale adjusts for age automatically. This is why you don’t need a different “passing score” for each age — you need age-appropriate questions, which is exactly what a good children’s test provides.
IQ score chart: what each range means
| IQ score | What it means | Roughly how common |
|---|---|---|
| 130 and above | Gifted / very high | ~2% of children |
| 120–129 | Above average (superior) | ~7% |
| 110–119 | High average | ~16% |
| 90–109 | Average — a healthy, typical score | ~50% |
| 80–89 | Low average | ~16% |
| 70–79 | Below average | ~7% |
| Below 70 | Well below average | ~2% |
The takeaway: any score from 90 to 109 is completely normal and healthy — that’s where half of all children land. Anything above 110 is above average, and 130+ is the gifted range (about 1 in 50 children).
“Good IQ score by age” — the honest chart
Because scores are age-adjusted, the average (100) and the gifted threshold (130) are the same for every age. What changes is the test itself — the questions get harder as children grow. Use the table to take the right test for your child’s age:
| Age | Average score | Above average | Gifted | Take the age-appropriate test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 years | 100 | 110+ | 130+ | IQ test for 6-year-olds |
| 7 years | 100 | 110+ | 130+ | IQ test for 7-year-olds |
| 8 years | 100 | 110+ | 130+ | IQ test for 8-year-olds |
| 9 years | 100 | 110+ | 130+ | IQ test for 9-year-olds |
| 10 years | 100 | 110+ | 130+ | IQ test for 10-year-olds |
| 11 years | 100 | 110+ | 130+ | IQ test for 11-year-olds |
| 12 years | 100 | 110+ | 130+ | IQ test for 12-year-olds |
| 13 years | 100 | 110+ | 130+ | IQ test for 13-year-olds |
| 14 years | 100 | 110+ | 130+ | IQ test for 14-year-olds |
Does a high IQ at a young age last?
Partly. IQ scores become more stable and more predictive as children get older. A score at age 5–6 can shift meaningfully over the following years, while a score at age 12–14 is a much steadier indicator. Treat an early result as a snapshot of current reasoning skills, not a fixed label.
It’s also worth remembering that IQ measures a specific set of reasoning abilities. It doesn’t capture creativity, emotional intelligence, motivation or effort — all of which matter enormously for how children actually do in school and life.
How to test your child’s IQ (the right way)
- Pick the test for their exact age from the table above, so the questions match their developmental level.
- Create a calm setting — a quiet room, no rush, no distractions. A tired or anxious child will score lower than their true ability.
- Treat it as practice, not a verdict. Online tests are great for spotting strengths and sparking curiosity, but they are not a clinical diagnosis. A formal assessment should be done by a licensed psychologist using a standardized test such as the WISC-V.
Ready to try one? Start with our free, no-sign-up IQ test for kids and get instant results.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average IQ for a child?
100 — at every age. About half of all children score between 90 and 109, which is the normal, healthy range.
What is considered a high IQ for a child?
110–119 is high average, 120–129 is above average, and 130 or above is the gifted range (about 2% of children).
Do IQ scores change with age?
The scale doesn’t — 100 is always average. But an individual child’s score can shift over time, especially in the early years, and becomes more stable in the teens.
Are online IQ tests for kids accurate?
They’re a fun, useful estimate of reasoning skills, but not equivalent to a supervised clinical assessment. Use them for practice and insight, not official decisions.
At what age can a child take a reliable IQ test?
Most standardized IQ tests, such as the WISC-V, are designed for ages 6 to 16, and scores become noticeably more stable once a child starts school. Below age 6, developmental scales are used instead, and results can shift a lot from year to year — so early scores are best treated as a snapshot, not a fixed label.
This article is for general information and is not a medical or psychological diagnosis. For a formal evaluation, consult a licensed psychologist.
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