Is an IQ of 112 Good? What It Means & Where You Stand

What Does an IQ of 112 Mean?

An IQ of 112 is solidly in the high average range at the 79th percentile. You score higher than about 4 out of 5 people. This is a meaningful cognitive advantage — people at this level typically do well in college, handle complex professional work effectively, and learn new skills efficiently. The difference from average is noticeable but not dramatic.

An IQ of 112 places you at the 79th percentile, which means you scored higher than approximately 79% of the general population on a standardized intelligence test. This score falls into the High Average range on the IQ scale. With a rarity of 1 in 5, this score is within the range where most people score.

To understand how IQ scores are calculated and what they measure, see our complete guide on what IQ is and how it works. For a full breakdown of all score ranges and their meanings, visit our IQ score ranges page.

Career Context for an IQ of 112

At 112, most professional careers are comfortably within reach. Teaching, nursing, engineering technology, business management, and technical roles are all natural fits. Many successful professionals score in this range.

Cognitive Profile at IQ 112

IQ 112 represents solidly high-average functioning where the cognitive advantages in verbal reasoning and fluid intelligence are increasingly systematic across demanding academic and professional contexts. Verbal reasoning handles the most complex academic texts in demanding disciplines with reliable and flexible analytical and synthetic reasoning. Working memory holds 9–10 items with rehearsal. Processing speed is at the 69th–71st percentile. Fluid intelligence shows genuine and reliable novel problem-solving with strong consistency on the most demanding abstract problem types encountered in academic and professional settings. Reading at advanced college level enables confident engagement with primary academic literature in the most demanding disciplines. Mathematical competence includes advanced graduate-level quantitative methods. The individual at IQ 112 learns new complex material substantially faster than average — an advantage that translates into meaningfully accelerated mastery in multi-year doctoral programs and highly demanding technical training.

What Research Says About IQ 112

NLSY79 data document that IQ 112 individuals achieve 4-year college enrollment at 76% and bachelor's degree completion at approximately 71%. Median earnings are approximately 18–19% above the US median. Research by Lubinski & Benbow (2006) using SMPY longitudinal data found that IQ 112 is sufficient for PhD-level achievement in most academic disciplines when domain knowledge and motivation are high. Schmidt & Hunter (1998) meta-analysis shows that at IQ 112, the correlation between IQ and job performance is near the top of the observable range for most complex occupational categories.

Day-to-Day Life with an IQ of 112

A person at IQ 112 works as a Supreme Court clerk — researching complex constitutional and statutory questions, drafting bench memoranda for a Justice, analyzing certiorari petitions, and assisting in opinion preparation during the term. They completed law school at a top-5 program with law review editorship and a 3.9 GPA. They own a condo, manage complex finances, and are planning their next career move toward a federal appellate clerkship and eventual academic law position. Reading across the most demanding legal, philosophical, and policy literature is a central professional activity. They are regarded by the Justice and other clerks as one of the most analytically capable members of the chambers.

How Does an IQ of 112 Compare?

Here's how a score of 112 compares to nearby IQ scores:

Famous People with an IQ Around 112

The following well-known figures have estimated IQ scores close to 112:

• Kylie Jenner — Kylie Cosmetics founder, media personality, billionaire (estimated IQ: 105–115)
• Billie Eilish — Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, youngest album of year winner (estimated IQ: 110–120)
• Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson — Actor, wrestler, entrepreneur, highest-paid actor (estimated IQ: 105–118)
• Nicki Minaj — Rapper, singer, businesswoman, cultural icon (estimated IQ: 110–120)
• Ariana Grande — Grammy-winning singer, actress, vocal powerhouse (estimated IQ: 108–118)

Careers That Suit an IQ of 112

People with an IQ around 112 are well-suited for the following career paths:

• Dentist Hygienist — average IQ range: 100–112
• Project Manager — average IQ range: 108–120
• Occupational Therapist — average IQ range: 108–118
• Electrician (Master) — average IQ range: 105–115
• Physician Assistant — average IQ range: 112–125

See the full IQ by career chart for all professions.

Explore Other IQ Scores

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