Is an IQ of 138 Good? What It Means & Where You Stand
Classification
Very Superior / Gifted
Percentile
99.5th
Rarity
1 in 200
High
What Does an IQ of 138 Mean?
An IQ of 138 is deep in the gifted range, approaching the genius threshold at 140. At the 99.5th percentile, only about 1 in 200 people score this high. Cognitive processing at this level is noticeably faster and more complex than the vast majority of the population. People at 138 often have an effortless ability with abstract concepts and may find that what challenges others comes naturally to them.
An IQ of 138 places you at the 99.5th percentile, which means you scored higher than approximately 99.5% of the general population on a standardized intelligence test. This score falls into the Very Superior / Gifted range on the IQ scale. With a rarity of 1 in 200, this score is uncommon and indicates strong cognitive abilities.
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 138
At 138, virtually any intellectual career is possible. Many at this level are drawn to fields where they can push boundaries — research, innovation, creative arts at the highest level, and strategic leadership. The challenge is often sustaining interest rather than building capability.
How Does an IQ of 138 Compare?
Here's how a score of 138 compares to nearby IQ scores:
| Score | Classification | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| IQ 124 | Superior | 95th |
| IQ 125 | Superior | 95th |
| IQ 128 | Superior | 97th |
| IQ 130 | Very Superior / Gifted | 98th |
| IQ 132 | Very Superior / Gifted | 98th |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 138 a good IQ score?
A 138 is exceptional — at the 99.5th percentile, only 1 in 200 people score this high. It is deeply within the gifted range and just 2 points below the commonly cited genius threshold of 140.
Is 138 IQ genius level?
Nearly. Most definitions place genius at 140, so 138 is 2 points short. However, this difference is within the margin of error of IQ tests. Functionally, 138 and 140 represent essentially identical cognitive ability.
How rare is a 138 IQ?
About 1 in 200 people score 138 or above. In a school of 1,000 students, you'd expect about 5 to score at this level. It's rare enough to be exceptional but common enough that you'll find peers in selective academic and professional settings.
Explore Other IQ Scores
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