IQ, or intelligence quotient, is a measure of a person’s cognitive abilities and potential. It is usually calculated by taking a standardized test that assesses various aspects of reasoning, memory, spatial skills, and more. The average IQ score is around 100, but some people have achieved much higher scores than that. Who are these people and how did they attain such extraordinary levels of intelligence? What are their fields of expertise and what are their accomplishments? How reliable and valid are IQ tests and scores? And what does IQ really mean for one’s life and success?
Top 10 Highest IQ Ever Recorded
In this article, we will answer these questions and more as we explore the top 10 highest IQ ever recorded as of 2023, according to various sources. We will learn about the amazing achievements, contributions, and personalities of some of the smartest people in history and in the present. We will also discover that IQ is not a fixed or definitive measure of intelligence, but rather a relative and dynamic one that can vary depending on the test and the context. Moreover, we will realize that IQ is not the only factor that determines one’s success or happiness in life, as there are many other aspects of intelligence and potential that are equally important.
Are you ready to dive into the world of high IQ? Then let’s get started!
1. William James Sidis (250-300)
William James Sidis was an American child prodigy who is widely regarded as the smartest person who ever lived. He reportedly learned to read at 18 months, spoke several languages by age six, entered Harvard University at age 11, and graduated at age 16. He also wrote several books on mathematics, physics, philosophy, and history. His IQ was estimated to be between 250 and 300, more than double that of Albert Einstein.
2. Terence Tao (225-230)
Terence Tao is a Chinese-American mathematician who is considered one of the greatest living mathematicians. He has made significant contributions to various fields of mathematics, such as number theory, analysis, combinatorics, and harmonic analysis. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the Fields Medal, the MacArthur Fellowship, and the Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics. His IQ is said to be between 225 and 230.
3. Marilyn vos Savant (228)
Marilyn vos Savant is an American writer and columnist who is best known for her “Ask Marilyn” feature in Parade magazine, where she answers questions on various topics using logic and common sense. She also writes on subjects such as philosophy, art, and science. She holds the Guinness World Record for the highest IQ ever recorded by a woman, with a score of 228.
4. Christopher Hirata (225)
Christopher Hirata is an American astrophysicist and cosmologist who is currently a professor at the Ohio State University. He is also a former child prodigy who competed in the International Physics Olympiad at age 13 and became the youngest American to win a gold medal. He also enrolled at the California Institute of Technology at age 14 and earned his PhD from Princeton University at age 22. His IQ is estimated to be around 225.
5. Leonardo da Vinci (180-220)
Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian polymath who is widely regarded as one of the most influential and versatile geniuses in history. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, inventor, scientist, anatomist, botanist, musician, and writer. He created some of the most famous artworks in the world, such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. He also designed many inventions and innovations that were ahead of his time, such as flying machines, tanks, submarines, and parachutes. His IQ was estimated to be between 180 and 220.
6. Stephen Hawking (160)
Stephen Hawking was a British theoretical physicist and cosmologist who is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant scientists of all time. He made groundbreaking discoveries and contributions to the fields of general relativity, quantum mechanics, black holes, and cosmology. He also wrote several popular books on science and philosophy, such as A Brief History of Time and The Theory of Everything. He suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative disease that gradually paralyzed him and confined him to a wheelchair and a speech synthesizer. His IQ was estimated to be around 160.
7. Albert Einstein (160)
Albert Einstein was a German-born physicist who is widely regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most influential scientists of all time. He developed the theory of relativity, which revolutionized our understanding of space and time. He also discovered the mass-energy equivalence formula E=mc2 , which is one of the most famous equations in history. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect. His IQ was estimated to be around 160.
8. Isaac Newton (160)
Isaac Newton was an English physicist and mathematician who is widely regarded as one of the greatest scientists of all time. He formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation, which laid the foundations for classical mechanics. He also invented calculus, built the first reflecting telescope, and studied optics, light, color, sound, astronomy, alchemy, theology, and history. His IQ was estimated to be around 160.
9. Sho Yano (200)
Sho Yano is an American physician and researcher who is currently a faculty member at the University of Chicago. He is also a former child prodigy who started college at age nine, graduated summa cum laude at age 12, earned his MD and PhD degrees at age 21, and became the youngest person to be certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics at age 27. His IQ was estimated to be around 200.
10. Adragon De Mello (400)
Adragon De Mello is an American mathematician and computer scientist who is currently a software engineer at Google. He is also a former child prodigy who started college at age eight, graduated with honors at age 11, and earned his master’s degree in mathematics at age 14. He also developed a new method for solving quadratic equations and published several papers on number theory and cryptography. His IQ was projected to be around 400.
In this article, we have explored the top 10 highest IQ ever recorded, according to various sources. We have learned about the amazing achievements, contributions, and personalities of some of the smartest people in history and in the present. We have also discovered that IQ is not a fixed or definitive measure of intelligence, but rather a relative and dynamic one that can vary depending on the test and the context. Moreover, we have realized that IQ is not the only factor that determines one’s success or happiness in life, as there are many other aspects of intelligence and potential that are equally important.
Below 10 Most Asking Questions and Answers
Q: What is the average IQ score?
A: The average IQ score is around 100, but it may vary depending on the test and the population.
Q: What is the highest possible IQ score?
A: There is no definitive answer to what is the highest possible IQ score, as different tests may have different scales and ceilings. However, some sources suggest that 200 is the theoretical peak score for most tests.
Q: How is IQ measured?
A: IQ is measured by taking a standardized test that assesses various aspects of cognitive abilities, such as verbal, numerical, spatial, logical, and memory skills. The test usually consists of multiple-choice questions or tasks that have to be completed within a time limit.
Q: What are the benefits of having a high IQ?
A: Having a high IQ may have some benefits, such as better academic performance, career success, problem-solving skills, creativity, and general knowledge. However, IQ is not the only factor that determines one’s intelligence or potential. Other factors, such as personality, motivation, education, environment, and emotional intelligence, may also play important roles.
Q: What are the drawbacks of having a high IQ?
A: Having a high IQ may also have some drawbacks, such as social isolation, boredom, perfectionism, anxiety, depression, and unrealistic expectations. Some people with high IQ may also face challenges in finding peers or mentors who can understand them or challenge them intellectually. Moreover, having a high IQ does not guarantee happiness or fulfillment in life.
Q: How can I improve my IQ?
A: There is no definitive answer to how to improve one’s IQ, as it may depend on various factors such as genetics, brain development, nutrition, health, education, and stimulation. However, some possible ways to enhance one’s cognitive abilities include reading, learning new skills or languages, playing games or puzzles, exercising regularly, meditating, sleeping well, and avoiding stress.
Q: How can I test my IQ?
A: There are many online tests that claim to measure one’s IQ, but they may not be reliable or valid. The best way to test one’s IQ is to take a professionally administered test from a qualified psychologist or an organization such as Mensa International.
Q: Who are some famous people with high IQ?
A: Some famous people with high IQ include Albert Einstein (160), Stephen Hawking (160), Isaac Newton (160), Leonardo da Vinci (180-220), Marilyn vos Savant (228), Terence Tao (225-230), William James Sidis (250-300), Christopher Hirata (225), Sho Yano (200), and Adragon De Mello (400).
Q: What are some common myths about IQ?
A: Some common myths about IQ include:
- IQ is fixed and cannot change.
- IQ is inherited and cannot be influenced by environmental factors.
- IQ determines one’s success or failure in life.
- IQ is the only measure of intelligence.
- IQ tests are accurate and unbiased.
Q: What are some interesting facts about IQ?
A: Some interesting facts about IQ include:
- The term “IQ” was coined by German psychologist William Stern in 1912.
- The first modern IQ test was developed by French psychologists Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon in 1905.
- The highest score ever achieved on an official Mensa test was 198 by an Indian engineer named Murali Mohan Gharote in 1982.
- The youngest person ever to join Mensa was Elise Tan Roberts from England who had an IQ of 156 at age two in 2009.
- The oldest person ever to join Mensa was John Bannister Goodenough from the USA who had an IQ of 130 at age 97 in 2019.