Is an IQ of 74 Good? What It Means & Where You Stand

What Does an IQ of 74 Mean?

An IQ of 74 is in the borderline range at the 4th percentile. About 1 in 25 people score at or below this level. People at 74 can manage daily tasks, hold jobs, and live independently in many cases. The borderline range represents a transition zone — individuals may benefit from extra support but typically do not qualify for disability services.

An IQ of 74 places you at the 4th percentile, which means you scored higher than approximately 4% of the general population on a standardized intelligence test. This score falls into the Borderline range on the IQ scale. With a rarity of 1 in 25, this score is less common, but IQ is just one measure of cognitive ability.

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.

How Precise Is a Score of 74?

Less precise than a single number suggests. Professionally administered IQ tests carry a standard error of measurement of roughly 3–5 points, which means a measured score of 74is best read as a range of about 69 to 79 — and scores from short online tests vary even more. Test-retest studies show the same person's score can shift by several points between sessions due to sleep, stress, motivation, practice effects, and simple chance. Different tests (WAIS, Stanford-Binet, Raven's) can also yield somewhat different numbers for the same person. Treat any single figure — including this one — as an estimate with a margin of error, not a fixed property. Our methodology page explains how our own estimate is calculated.

What an IQ of 74 Does Not Establish

An IQ score summarizes performance on abstract reasoning tasks at one point in time. It is not a medical or psychological diagnosis, and a score of 74 on its own does not determine your career ceiling, academic future, creativity, emotional intelligence, judgment, or character. Research links IQ to average outcomes across large groups, but individual outcomes vary enormously at every score level. If you need a clinically valid assessment — for educational placement, a disability evaluation, or gifted-program admission — only a licensed psychologist can provide one. See our disclaimer for the full limitations.

Career Context for an IQ of 74

Many structured careers are accessible: food service, retail, landscaping, custodial work, and warehouse positions. On-the-job training and hands-on learning approaches work best. Reliability and work ethic matter more than test scores.

A note on career framing: occupational IQ averages describe broad group tendencies from research samples — they are not entry requirements, and employers do not screen candidates by IQ. Interest, training, persistence, and opportunity shape careers far more than a test score.

Cognitive Profile at IQ 74

At IQ 74, the borderline range profile shows increasing reliability in verbal reasoning and fluid intelligence across a broader range of task types. Verbal comprehension handles extended texts on a range of topics; inferential and evaluative reasoning are accessible on familiar and moderately novel content. Working memory holds 6 items with rehearsal. Processing speed is at the 11th–12th percentile. Fluid intelligence shows reliable pattern induction and rule generalization with solid transfer to novel but related problems. Reading typically reaches 8th–9th grade level, supporting independent engagement with most everyday written materials. Mathematical competence includes all operations, fractions, decimals, percent, and basic ratio and proportion. Academic demands at the high school level — particularly abstract reasoning in algebra and inferential reading comprehension — begin to require supplemental support. Social and practical reasoning in everyday contexts are competent and confident.

What Research Says About IQ 74

NLSY79 analysis (Gottfredson, 1997) documents that IQ 74 individuals achieve high school completion rates near 65–70%, with strong positive effects on earnings for completers relative to non-completers. Research by Schmidt & Hunter (1998) estimates that at IQ 74, job performance in moderate-complexity roles approaches average — individuals perform well in clerical, service, and technical assistant positions with standard employer training. Deary et al. (2007) Scottish longitudinal study found IQ 74 correlates with a occupational prestige score in the skilled trades and technical occupations range, consistent with real-world employment patterns observed in NLSY data.

Day-to-Day Life with an IQ of 74

A person at IQ 74 works as a medical records technician — coding patient records using standardized coding software, verifying insurance information, maintaining digital filing systems, and coordinating with clinical staff. They completed a community college certificate program. They live in their own apartment, manage finances, drive, and handle most adult decisions independently. Reading at 8th–9th grade level covers most professional needs. Complex regulatory or legal documents require review with a professional. They are considered a competent and reliable member of their healthcare team. Their social life is full and they are active in their neighborhood association.

How Does an IQ of 74 Compare?

Here's how a score of 74 compares to nearby IQ scores:

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