IQ 70 to 79
Borderline
Below most scores, and the part of the scale where an online screener is least trustworthy. Sixteen items cannot distinguish 72 from 78 with any confidence, and the difference matters — this is the range where a number can affect a diagnosis, a school placement, or a support application. If it matters, it warrants a real assessment.
Every score from 70 to 79
Percentile is the share of people you would score above. Rarity is how many people it takes to find one at that score or higher. Scores with their own page are linked.
| IQ score | Percentile | Rarity | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 79 | 8th | 1 in 12 | Borderline |
| 78 | 7th | 1 in 14 | Borderline |
| 77 | 6th | 1 in 16 | Borderline |
| 76 | 5th | 1 in 18 | Borderline |
| 75 | 5th | 1 in 21 | Borderline |
| 74 | 4th | 1 in 24 | Borderline |
| 73 | 4th | 1 in 28 | Borderline |
| 72 | 3rd | 1 in 32 | Borderline |
| 71 | 3rd | 1 in 38 | Borderline |
| 70 | 2nd | 1 in 44 | Borderline |
Table 1 · Percentile and rarity for every score from 70 to 79, on the standard scale (mean 100, SD 15).
Where 70–79 sits on the scale
This range is the borderline band on the Wechsler classification convention.
| Score band | Classification |
|---|---|
| 145–160 | Highly gifted |
| 130–144 | Very superior · gifted |
| 120–129 | Superior |
| 110–119 | High average |
| 90–109 | Average |
| 80–89 | Low average |
| 70–79 | Borderline · you are here |
Table 2 · The classification bands used across this site.
What scores in this range mean
A 75 sits below most scores on a test of abstract reasoning. Taken alone it is a weak basis for any conclusion — short online screeners are least reliable at the edges of the scale, which is exactly where this score sits.
One honest caveat that applies at every score: IQ measures a specific slice of reasoning ability. It is a real and useful signal, but it does not capture creativity, discipline, emotional intelligence, or drive. Treat it as one data point, not a verdict.
Nearby on the scale
Frequently asked questions
What percentile is an IQ of 70 to 79?
An IQ of 70 is about the 2nd percentile and 79 is about the 8th percentile, on the standard scale (mean 100, SD 15).
How rare is a score in the 70–79 range?
Roughly 1 in 44 people reach 70, and about 1 in 12 reach 79.
What classification is 70 to 79?
Borderline, on the Wechsler classification convention.
Can an online test place a score this precisely?
Not to the point. A sixteen-item screener gives a reliable band, not an exact number — which is why this page covers the whole 70–79 range rather than pretending each point is meaningfully different.