Is an IQ of 79 Good? What It Means & Where You Stand

What Does an IQ of 79 Mean?

An IQ of 79 is at the very top of the borderline range — one point below low average classification at 80. At the 8th percentile, about 1 in 12 people score at or below this level. The distinction between 79 (borderline) and 80 (low average) is purely classificatory and has no practical significance. You are effectively in the low average range.

An IQ of 79 places you at the 8th percentile, which means you scored higher than approximately 8% 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 12, 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.

Career Context for an IQ of 79

At 79, every career accessible to someone with an 80 or 85 IQ is equally accessible to you. The 1-point classification boundary is meaningless. Skilled trades, retail, food service, and many other careers are realistic paths.

How Does an IQ of 79 Compare?

Here's how a score of 79 compares to nearby IQ scores:

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