We often hear stories of people with IQs of 200, 220, or even 250, but are such scores really possible? According to science and recognized intelligence tests, the answer is no. In this article, we will explain why scores above 160 are already the reliable limit and how extraordinary numbers, such as 200 or more, are actually false or unrealistic.
What is IQ and How is it Measured?
IQ (Intelligence Quotient) is a standardized index that measures cognitive abilities relative to the population average. The most reliable tests follow a normal curve:
• Average: 100 points
• Standard deviation: 15 points
• 98th percentile (2% smartest of the population): IQ 130+
• 99.9999 percentile (~1 in 100,000 people): IQ 160
From 160 onwards, the reliability of the tests decreases drastically because there are very few individuals with this score, making it statistically impossible to validate higher measurements.
What is the Maximum Possible Accepted Tests?
The world’s most respected IQ tests have clear limits:
• WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) → Maximum reliable: 160
• Stanford-Binet (SB5 – 5th edition) → Maximum reliable: 160
• Cattell Culture Fair IQ Test → Maximum of 180, but with limitations in statistical validity
In other words, no one can score 200 on a scientifically validated test. Any score above 160 is a mathematical extrapolation, not a real measurement.
Why Is There No IQ Above 200?
1. Tests Don’t Measure This
No test recognized by psychological institutions (APA, Mensa, universities) reliably measures scores above 160.
2. Normal Curve and Statistical Sampling
IQ follows a normal distribution, and there is not enough data from people above 160 to validate higher measurements.
3. Extremely High Values Are Just False Estimates
Some famous claims, such as those of Marilyn vos Savant (IQ 228) and Terence Tao (IQ 225-230), were not obtained through standardized tests recognized by the scientific community. In Marilyn’s case, her score was based on old tests and statistical extrapolations, which led the Guinness Book of Records to stop recording IQ records due to the lack of objective criteria for such high measurements. In addition, there is evidence that the test applied to her is not entirely reliable. Terence Tao, on the other hand, never presented an officially validated IQ test that proved his extreme score.
Are “High IQ Tests” Reliable?
Some tests, such as the Mega Test and the Titan Test, claim to measure IQs from 180 to 200+, but are not accepted by the scientific community because:
• They do not have reliable statistical calibration
• They are designed for small samples, without real representativeness
• No psychological organization recognizes their measurements
If a test is not accepted by Mensa, the Triple Nine Society, the APA, or professional psychologists, its results cannot be taken seriously.
Conclusion: Extreme Scores Are a Myth
Any claim of an IQ of 200 or higher is a lie. Reliable tests do not measure above 160, and values such as 180, 200 or 250 are statistical extrapolations with no scientific basis.
If you come across someone claiming to have an IQ of 200 or higher, you can be sure that this information is not true. The true limit of human IQ, within science, is around 160, and above that there are no reliable measurements.
If you want to measure your IQ reliably, look for a WAIS-IV or Stanford-Binet test supervised by a professional psychologist. Don’t fall for myths about “IQ 200 geniuses” — science has proven that they don’t exist.