The lowest IQ ever—and why it can still mean greatness

Society, typically, cares about who’s the smartest or has the highest IQ. Medals, trophies, praises, and pedestals—they get all the glory.

But here’s a wild idea: what if we gave that same attention to the lowest IQ ever?

You might think, “Why would we want to go and do that?” Well, the thing is, intelligence doesn’t function like a competition leaderboard. IQ tests deliberately forget about character, creativity, emotional depth, or the capacity to grow. And human potential doesn’t exist inside a single score.

It’s why Jim Kwik, a brain performance coach and the trainer of Mindvalley’s Superbrain program, says, “There’s no such thing as a good or bad brain, only a trained brain.” Because when the science of intelligence is understood clearly, the focus shifts from ranking to development. The conversation becomes less about limits and more about possibilities.

What’s measured on an IQ test?

The point of IQ tests is to measure specific aspects of your cognitive abilities. There are standardized tools, like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, that assess how well you can:

• think through problems,
• remember information for a short time,
• work quickly, and
• understand words and language.

The test gives you a score called an intelligence quotient (IQ). And that number shows how you did compared to a large group of other people who took the same test.

IQ tests are used to predict how you will do in a certain kind of school at a certain historical era (…), but we don’t stay in school our whole lives.

— Howard Gardner, psychologist

But the thing is, intelligence is bigger than just one test score. Research by psychologist Howard Gardner on the types of intelligence shows that we, humans, have a broad range of capabilities.

“[Multiple Intelligence Theory], which is quite intuitive, says that you might be smart in some things, average in another, and quite poor in a third area,” he explains at BbWorld 2016, an education technology conference run by Blackboard Inc. That includes things like linguistic, interpersonal, spatial, musical, and naturalistic, to name a few.

However, IQ tests don’t measure all of those skills. Instead, they focus on certain types of thinking, like logic and memory.

“That’s fine because IQ tests are used to predict how you will do in a certain kind of school at a certain historical era, and clearly it’s good to have linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence if you want to succeed in school,” Gardner adds, “but we don’t stay in school our whole lives.”

So it’s safe to say that your IQ score is just one way of looking at your abilities. That can be helpful in school or medical settings, but it definitely doesn’t show the full picture of what you’re capable of.

What do IQ tests measure?

IQ tests, essentially, look at two aspects of your thinking skills:

• Fluid intelligence: your ability to solve new problems and think through things you’ve never seen before.
• Crystallized intelligence: the knowledge you’ve built up over time, like facts, vocabulary, and things you’ve learned in school or through experience.

So, say one of the questions shows you a pattern like this:

• / • / • / •

You might not have ever seen this pattern before, but you can quickly figure out that the next shape should be the /. That’s using fluid reasoning to solve a new problem on the spot.

Now, another question on the IQ test might ask you, “What does the word ‘analyze’ mean?” You’ve likely learned and remember the definition from school, so you can explain it clearly. Ergo, crystallized intelligence.

Being good at one or the other or both is a pretty superb feat. The fact of the matter is, when people talk about the highest IQ possible, they’re usually focusing on how rare that score is. 

Sure, a very high number shows that it’s uncommon. But while you excel in this department, you might not bring home the gold star in more non-logical areas.

What are the IQ ranges?

IQ scores are designed to follow a bell curve. The average score is set at 100, with most people scoring between 85 and 115.

For instance, if you score below 85, you’re in the lower range compared to most people. If your score’s above 115, you’re in the higher range.

Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean people below 100 have the lowest IQ ever or that people above 100 are superior. It just shows where someone falls compared to everyone else who took the test. And most importantly, psychologists use these score ranges to understand how someone learns and where they might need support or where they might have strengths.

So, let’s say someone scores below 70. That score can be part of the diagnosis of an intellectual disability. (Best be assured that doctors and psychologists don’t look at the number alone. They also factor in how well the person handles everyday life, like communicating, taking care of themselves, and solving daily problems, among other things.)

The interesting thing is, the average IQ scores by age can change. Because that number isn’t something you’re born with and stuck with forever. Rather, it’s, as research by philosopher Dr. James R. Flynn shows, influenced by your experiences, education, and development.

What does it mean to have a borderline IQ?

Someone with a borderline IQ (also called borderline intellectual functioning) has a score between 70 and 79 points. But don’t mistake them for being ones with the lowest IQ ever—the use of the term “borderline” is because this range sits just above the cutoff commonly used for diagnosing intellectual disability.

People in this range may find certain types of academic learning more challenging, such as solving a math word problem or following multi-step instructions to assemble furniture. At the same time, there are plenty who are capable of independent living, work, and meaningful relationships, particularly when they receive the right support.

Those with borderline IQ are often overlooked in mental health systems, as one study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry notes. If doctors and mental health professionals properly recognize who these patients are and understand their particular challenges, they can provide better, more appropriate care.

That can improve the quality of mental health support they receive. And this, in turn, may help them function more effectively in school, work, and daily life.

What is the lowest IQ ever recorded?

When people ask this question, they might assume that IQ scores can go as low as zero. But they’re not designed to measure endlessly downward. Most tests actually have a lowest point they can reliably measure, usually around 40, depending on the test.

Below that level, the test cannot clearly distinguish between scores. This is called the “floor effect.” For example, a score of 20 and a score of 10 might look different, but the test may not be precise enough to separate them meaningfully. Both would indicate very serious cognitive challenges.

You see, experts also don’t rely on IQ numbers alone. Organizations like the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization say that diagnosing intellectual disability requires looking at daily functioning, too. That includes how well someone communicates, takes care of themselves, and manages everyday tasks.

The bottom line is, asking for the highest and lowest IQ ever recorded isn’t very useful. What matters more is understanding a person’s real-world abilities and the support they need.

If you argue for your limitations, you get to keep them.

— Jim Kwik, trainer of Mindvalley’s Superbrain program

Who has the lowest IQ ever?

Believe it or not, there’s no official list or scientific record that tracks who has the lowest IQ ever. Trying to label someone that way isn’t reliable and, no surprise here, raises ethical concerns. 

When someone’s diagnosed with an intellectual disability, professionals usually describe it as mild, moderate, severe, or profound. These categories are used to decide what kind of support and services a person may need. But they’re not meant to compare people or turn them into statistics.

Even within the same category, people can be very different from one another. Some may communicate well, build relationships, or handle daily tasks with support. Others may need more assistance.

This is why some experts question how much weight we place on IQ scores in the first place. “I don’t think IQ is an accurate measure of intelligence,” says Jim on his YouTube channel. He argues that relying too much on IQ testing risks sending the message that “that’s all that’s important.”

That being said, there are interesting stories like this man with a low IQ who’s made the news. But the point of it all is, reducing a person to a “lowest IQ ever” label ignores their humanity. 

Learn more from Jim Kwik:

Which country has the lowest IQ?

There are no major psychological or international health organizations that publish official global IQ rankings. Sure, it’s possible to find IQ tables circulating online, as the one World Population Review publishes annually. However, these rankings are based on disputed studies and should be interpreted with caution.

The reason? The samples may not represent the whole population, the tests may favor certain cultures, and access to education is not equal across all cultures.

Dr. Flynn’s aforementioned research shows that average IQ scores have gone up in many countries over the last hundred years. This shows that better education, improved nutrition, and better healthcare can help people do better on IQ tests. And if a country’s average IQ score can rise in just a few decades, then it is likely affected by environment and living conditions, not just genetics.

The president with the lowest IQ

Even presidents are not immune to IQ comparisons. However, it must be noted that there aren’t any verified IQ test records for presidents. Most estimates come from retrospective research using biographical data rather than standardized testing.

Psychologist Dean Keith Simonton, for example, has used archival methods to estimate traits such as IQ and what he calls “Intellectual Brilliance” in U.S. presidents. His findings suggest that pure IQ, by itself, doesn’t reliably predict presidential performance.

They don’t measure everything that makes someone a good leader. They don’t fully measure things like emotional intelligence (EQ), the ability to handle stress, strong values, or good judgment. And when we reduce a president, or anyone, to just a number, we ignore the many different qualities that shape how well they perform in real life.

This is exactly what Jim highlights in his Mindvalley Superbrain program. He says, “If you argue for your limitations, you get to keep them.”

The point is not that IQ is meaningless. However, choosing to give it too much importance can cause us to overlook other strengths.

Why IQ is not destiny

Dr. Flynn’s Flynn Effect is just one of many proofs that intelligence isn’t completely fixed. And as neuroplasticity research shows, your brain can change and adapt through learning, practice, and supportive environments.

Looking at EQ vs. IQ also helps widen the picture. Skills like empathy, self-awareness, and emotional control affect success in life, even though they are not measured by standard IQ tests. Intelligence develops in different ways, and focus, memory, and reasoning can improve with practice, especially when we reduce constant digital distractions.

So instead of asking what your IQ is, a better question might be how you are using and developing the brain you already have.

Unleash your limitless

Life’s got you on screen after screen, tab after tab, notification after notification… Your brain, unsurprisingly, likely feels like it’s working overtime. 

But you don’t need a different brain to think better. You just need better tools.

Jim Kwik’s got just the thing in his Superbrain masterclass on Mindvalley, where you’ll walk away with a practical toolkit to improve your focus, memory, and learning speed.

In this 46-minute session, you’ll discover how to:

• Improve your focus and reduce mental distractions,
• Remember names, facts, and key information more easily,
• Read faster while understanding and retaining more,
• Strengthen your memory using simple techniques, and
• Build daily habits that support long-term brain performance.

Jim shares the same methods he has taught to students, professionals, and business leaders around the world. One such is a teacher in the U.S., Daphne Pearson. She joined Superbrain to help her remember names. Instead, she walked away with a lot more:

The techniques were fun, easy to learn, and very effective. I enjoyed teaching them to the children I work with.

So if you’re done underestimating your brain, join Jim’s free Superbrain masterclass. Because, let’s be honest, isn’t it time you saw what it can really do?

Welcome in.