Average IQ for History Majors
Average IQ Range
108–118
IQ Classification
Average range
Overview
History develops exceptional skills in reading primary sources critically, constructing evidence-based arguments, and synthesizing large volumes of complex information into coherent narratives. Historians must evaluate contradictory sources, understand causation across long time spans, and write persuasive essays under time constraints. These verbal-analytical demands overlap substantially with verbal IQ subtests. The field has lower quantitative requirements than STEM disciplines, but the most demanding history programs at elite universities require substantial analytical rigor in the humanities tradition.
To understand what these IQ ranges mean, see our complete IQ score ranges guide. You can also check where specific scores fall: Is 115 IQ Good?
SAT & GRE Correlation
History majors average GRE verbal scores of 156–160, among the highest of any discipline, reflecting exceptional reading comprehension and written argumentation skills. GRE Quantitative scores are lower, averaging 148–152. History graduates who take the LSAT score above average, and many pursue law school. The strong verbal performance reflects the field's deep emphasis on reading, analysis, and persuasive writing.
For more on how standardized test scores relate to IQ, see our SAT to IQ conversion guide and GRE to IQ conversion guide.
Top Programs
- Yale
- Princeton
- Oxford
- UC Berkeley
Career Paths
- Historian
- Archivist
- Attorney
- Policy Analyst
Curious how these careers compare? See our full IQ by career chart.
How Does History Compare to Other Majors?
| Major | Average IQ Range |
|---|---|
| History | 108–118 |
| Political Science | 110–120 |
| English Literature | 106–116 |
| Philosophy | 125–132 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ of a history major?
History majors are estimated to average IQ scores of 108–118. The field develops strong verbal reasoning, critical reading, and analytical writing — skills that align with verbal IQ subtests. History majors score among the highest on GRE verbal sections, demonstrating that humanities training can produce strong cognitive performance even without STEM mathematics.
Is history a difficult major?
History requires reading enormous volumes of complex material, synthesizing competing historical interpretations, and producing rigorous analytical essays. Upper-level seminars and thesis writing demand sustained intellectual effort. However, the absence of quantitative requirements makes it more accessible than STEM disciplines for students with verbal strengths.
What can you do with a history degree?
History graduates pursue law (many top law students majored in history), public policy, archival work, journalism, education, museum curation, and business. The analytical writing and critical thinking skills history develops are valued across many fields. History is among the better humanities majors for developing broadly applicable intellectual skills.
Explore More Majors
Learn more about what IQ measures, or take our free IQ test to see where you stand.
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.