John F. Kennedy's IQ: 119
John F. Kennedy
Estimated IQ
119
Known For
35th US President, Pulitzer Prize winner, Cold War leader
About John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy served as the 35th President of the United States from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963, and remains one of the most consequential and mythologized figures in American political history. He graduated from Harvard University and served with distinction in the Navy during World War II, where his PT-109 rescue story became famous. His book Profiles in Courage won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1956 — he is the only US president to have won a Pulitzer. His presidency included the Cuban Missile Crisis (widely considered the closest the world came to nuclear war), the founding of the Peace Corps, early civil rights legislation, and the commitment to land humans on the Moon. His estimated IQ of 119 reflects average-to-above-average general intelligence enhanced by extraordinary political charm and the ability to inspire.
What an IQ of 119 Means
Kennedy's estimated IQ of 119 is lower than most presidents', reflecting a cognitive profile that was strong in interpersonal and political domains while more average in analytical ones. His Pulitzer Prize (though the extent of his authorship vs. ghostwriting has been debated by scholars) and his Harvard degree reflect genuine academic engagement alongside family advantages. His most significant cognitive strength was political — the ability to project vision, inspire confidence, and communicate in ways that created emotional connection across political divides. His management of the Cuban Missile Crisis — maintaining composure, considering multiple options, resisting hawkish advisers who urged immediate military action — is cited as among the most consequential instances of presidential decision-making under extreme pressure in American history.
How John F. Kennedy Compares
To understand where this falls on the IQ scale, see our complete IQ score ranges guide, or learn what IQ actually measures.
Famous IQ Comparison
| Person | Estimated IQ | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| John F. Kennedy | 119 | 35th US President, Pulitzer Prize winner, Cold War leader |
| Winston Churchill | 145 | WWII British PM, Nobel Prize in Literature, wartime orator |
| Abraham Lincoln | 128–150 | 16th US President, self-educated, preserved the Union, abolished slavery |
| Margaret Thatcher | 154 | Iron Lady, UK PM, Oxford Chemistry degree, free market reforms |
| George W. Bush | 125 | 43rd US President, Yale and Harvard MBA, post-9/11 leadership |
| Angela Merkel | 148 | German Chancellor for 16 years, quantum chemistry PhD, most powerful woman |
| Hillary Clinton | 140 | Secretary of State, Senator, Yale Law graduate, presidential candidate |
See the complete famous IQ list or check what an IQ of 119 means.
Careers That Match an IQ of 119
- Airline Pilot — typical IQ range: 105–120
- Marketing Manager — typical IQ range: 108–120
- Registered Dietitian — typical IQ range: 105–115
Explore the full IQ by career chart.
Where This Estimate Comes From
- Biographers report a school IQ test at Choate that recorded a score of 119
- One of the few modern presidents with a documented school testing record
- Documented prep school IQ record of 119, though no adult test is known
Estimate disclaimer: John F. Kennedy's IQ figure is a speculative estimate compiled from public sources, not a verified test result. See how we compile these estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was John F. Kennedy's IQ?
John F. Kennedy's IQ is estimated at approximately 119, in the above-average range. He has not taken a publicly disclosed standardized IQ test. This estimate is lower than many people expect — reflecting the gap between his remarkable political charisma and his general analytical intelligence. His Harvard degree, Pulitzer Prize, and management of the Cuban Missile Crisis all reflect genuine cognitive ability, but contemporaries described him as more brilliant as a political communicator and vision-setter than as an analytical policy thinker.
How did Kennedy handle the Cuban Missile Crisis?
The Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962), in which Soviet missiles were discovered in Cuba pointed at the United States, is considered the most dangerous moment of the Cold War. Kennedy's management was characterized by his resistance to immediate military action — urged by the Joint Chiefs and many advisers — in favor of a naval blockade that gave the Soviets time to back down without humiliation. He secretly communicated with Khrushchev through back channels and accepted a face-saving arrangement: the Soviets removed Cuban missiles in exchange for an American pledge not to invade Cuba and (secretly) removal of American missiles from Turkey. Contemporary historians credit Kennedy's restraint and diplomatic creativity with preventing a nuclear exchange that could have killed tens of millions of people.
Did Kennedy actually write Profiles in Courage?
Profiles in Courage, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1956, is officially credited to Kennedy, though historians have documented that his speechwriter Theodore Sorensen was the primary author of much of the text. Kennedy conceived the project, contributed ideas and research, and was deeply involved in its direction, but the extent of his direct writing is debated. At the time, ghostwriting was common in political memoir and not considered disqualifying; today the degree of collaboration would be disclosed more explicitly. The book's central argument — that political courage requires willingness to vote against constituent interest for the national good — is authentically associated with Kennedy's political philosophy, if not entirely with his pen.
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MyIQScores Editorial Team
Researchers in cognitive psychology, psychometrics & educational science
Last updated
May 10, 2026
All content on MyIQScores is reviewed for scientific accuracy against peer-reviewed research in cognitive psychology and psychometrics. Our editorial team cross-references each article with published literature before publication and updates pages whenever new research warrants a revision.