What this test measures
The bank holds 30 questions and each session draws 25 of them at random, so a retake is not the same test twice. Ten of the 30 are visual items rendered as diagrams rather than text, which is what keeps the test from being purely a reading exercise.
| Category | Questions in bank | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern recognition | 10 | Matrix completion, shape sequences, and number series. The classic non-verbal IQ item type. |
| Reasoning | 4 | Syllogisms, ordering problems, and conclusions that follow from stated premises. |
| Spatial | 5 | Odd-one-out by symmetry or direction, mental rotation, and cube visualization. |
| Verbal | 5 | Analogies, classification, and precise word relations. |
| Numerical | 6 | Arithmetic reasoning under time pressure, including clock, rate, and fraction problems. |
The 30 questions in the bank are weighted towards the categories above; each session draws 25 of them, so no two attempts present the same paper.
A real question from this test
This item is taken directly from the bank, not written for illustration.
Which number comes next: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?
- 40
- 42
- 44
- 36
Show the answer
The gaps between terms are 4, 6, 8, 10. Each gap grows by two, so the next gap is 12 and the next term is 30 + 12 = 42. Sequences like this reward looking at the differences rather than the numbers themselves.
How your score is calculated
Scoring runs on the proportion you answer correctly, put through a quadratic curve so that accuracy at the top of the range is worth more than accuracy at the bottom. The result is mapped onto the familiar scale where 100 is the population midpoint and 15 points is one standard deviation, then reported with a percentile and a per-category breakdown. Questions left unanswered when the timer expires count as incorrect.
Because the general test draws from all five categories, its category bars are the most useful part of the result. A person scoring 118 on pattern recognition and 96 on verbal has a very different profile from someone who scored 107 on both, even though the headline number lands in the same band.
How to read your result
Scores land in one of seven bands. The population percentages describe the standard distribution these bands are modelled on, not the people who have taken this particular test.
| Score | Band | Share of population |
|---|---|---|
| 145 and above | Highly Gifted | ~0.1% |
| 130 – 144 | Gifted | ~2% |
| 115 – 129 | Superior | ~14% |
| 100 – 114 | Above Average | ~34% |
| 85 – 99 | Average | ~34% |
| 70 – 84 | Low Average | ~14% |
| Below 70 | Below Average | ~2% |
A single number is a summary, and the category bars underneath it carry most of the useful information. Two people can reach the same total by very different routes. If you want to see where your score sits precisely, the IQ percentile chart converts any score on this scale into a rank.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the general IQ test take?
The timer allows 31 minutes for 25 questions. Most people finish in under 20. The clock is there to stop indefinite deliberation, not to rush you, and unanswered questions at the buzzer are scored as incorrect.
Is this a real IQ test?
It uses the same item formats as standardised tests (matrix reasoning, number series, verbal analogies, spatial rotation) and reports on the familiar 100-point scale where 15 points is one standard deviation. It is not a clinically administered assessment and cannot be used for diagnosis, school placement, or Mensa entry. Treat the number as a good estimate rather than an official score.
Can I take the general IQ test more than once?
Yes. Each session draws 25 questions from a 30-question bank in a fresh random order, so the second attempt is not identical to the first. Expect a modest rise on a retake simply from format familiarity, which is a known effect on every IQ test rather than a flaw in this one.
What is a good score on this test?
100 is the population midpoint. Roughly 68% of people land between 85 and 115, about 14% score 115 to 129, and around 2% reach 130 or higher. Anything above 115 puts you in the top sixth of test takers.
Related guides
- Are Online IQ Tests Accurate?What separates a decent online test from a worthless one.
- Matrix Reasoning Questions ExplainedThe rules behind the grids, and a method for solving them fast.
- How to Prepare for an IQ TestFormat familiarity, sleep, and the tactics that do nothing.
- IQ Percentile Chart: What Your Score Actually RanksThe full table from 70 to 145, and how percentiles are derived.