Is an IQ of 148 Good? What It Means & Where You Stand
Classification
Very Gifted
Percentile
99.95th
Rarity
1 in 1,500
High
What Does an IQ of 148 Mean?
An IQ of 148 is profoundly gifted, at the 99.95th percentile. Only about 1 in 1,500 people score this high. Standard IQ tests begin to lose measurement precision at this level since they are normed for the general population. People at 148 often report experiencing information processing at a speed and depth that most others cannot relate to. The cognitive distance between 148 and the average person (100) is the same as between the average person and someone with an IQ of 52.
An IQ of 148 places you at the 99.95th percentile, which means you scored higher than approximately 99.95% of the general population on a standardized intelligence test. This score falls into the Very Gifted range on the IQ scale. With a rarity of 1 in 1,500, 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 148
At 148, cognitive ability is essentially unlimited for any career. Many at this level become leading researchers, inventors, or original thinkers. Some find traditional career paths constraining and create unconventional paths. Finding intellectual peers and adequately challenging work is often more important than finding employment.
How Does an IQ of 148 Compare?
Here's how a score of 148 compares to nearby IQ scores:
| Score | Classification | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| IQ 133 | Very Superior / Gifted | 98th |
| IQ 135 | Very Superior / Gifted | 99th |
| IQ 136 | Very Superior / Gifted | 99th |
| IQ 138 | Very Superior / Gifted | 99.5th |
| IQ 140 | Genius-level | 99.6th |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 148 a good IQ score?
A 148 is exceptional and profoundly rare — at the 99.95th percentile, only about 1 in 1,500 people score this high. It represents cognitive ability far beyond what standard tests are designed to measure.
How rare is a 148 IQ?
Extremely rare. In a city of 100,000 people, approximately 67 individuals would score this high. Standard IQ tests lose precision at this level, making exact measurement difficult.
What challenges come with a 148 IQ?
Profoundly gifted individuals often struggle with finding intellectual peers, feeling understood, maintaining interest in routine tasks, and managing the gap between their thinking speed and that of colleagues. Many benefit from connecting with others at similar cognitive levels.
Explore Other IQ Scores
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