Statistics of the top scorers

Introduction

This report contains information on the very highest test scores having occurred in the 28-year period from 1995 to present. The threshold for inclusion is I.Q. 170, which corresponds to protonorm 618 according to the current norms. The I.Q. range 170-179 is tentatively called "pervasive intelligence". Considered are only scores on tests containing at least two different item types, when items are classified by their appearance as either verbal, numerical, spatial, or logical. Such heterogeneous tests have proven to be more robust, valid, and reliable than are homogeneous tests (with only one item type).

For information, I.Q. 170 is reached or exceeded by 2.49 % of high-range candidates, and actually by 2.65 % of male high-range candidates and .6 % of female high-range candidates, according to the most recent norming of the protonorm table. For better understanding of these numbers one should consider that there are about 4 to 5 times more male than female high-range candidates, and that males take more tests per person, such that there are 11 times more male than female scores occurring. If the numbers in this report do not seem to exactly match this information, this is because this report is more recent than that information.

The scores

There are 71 scores in this range, following above criteria. Their exact distribution, the norming of tests in this range, and the question whether higher scores within this range also mean greater ability, are not topics of this report. Those matters are dealt with, when possible, in the statistical reports for the tests in question, and in the report on the norming of protonorms to norms. When norms change, the number of scores that fall at or above I.Q. 170 may naturally change. Considering the rareness of these scores, it should best be assumed that the current norms within this range are not good enough to distinguish well between the corresponding performances, and that this may improve with future renormings.

Number of scores per candidate

The 71 scores have been obtained by 35 candidates:

Sex

For the first time, it is now possible to estimate the male/female ratio at or above I.Q. 170 (about 34). While 2 female scores may seem too little for significance, the fact that it took 28 years for these scores to occur while nothing was keeping females from taking the tests greatly adds to the statistical power of this number. For comparison, here are the male/female ratios that have been observed at certain thresholds over the decades:

Scores per country of origin

Scores by age when test was taken

Scores by birth year

Scores per test

Scores per year occurred

So, there has been an explosive outbreak of scores at or above I.Q. 170 since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scores by educational level

Disorders and disordered behaviour

A total of 22 out of the 71 scores are from candidates who report having a psychiatric disorder. 2 of those 22 scores belong to someone who has committed suicide. 11 of those 22 scores are from candidates who have been observed displaying disordered behaviour.

The majority of scores therefore are from candidates with no reported disorders, and with no observed disordered behaviour.

Other observed behaviour

Remarkable in a majority of these candidates is the absence of negativity and rudeness, and the, on the whole, positive, polite, constructive attitude.

Other personality aspects

Regarding potentially interesting matters like political leanings, such information is only available for a minority of these candidates so that it is not meaningful to provide a summary of it.

[More statistical reports]