Is 103 a Good IQ Score?

What an IQ of 103 means, where it ranks, and what it tells you about cognitive ability.

103

IQ Score

58th

Percentile

Average

Classification

1 in 2

Rarity

What an IQ of 103 means

An IQ of 103 sits at the 58th percentile. 58% of people score at or below 103. IQ 103 is just above the population midpoint of 100. Research is consistent that in this range, effort and opportunity have a stronger influence on outcomes than raw cognitive ability, which is fully adequate for the vast majority of roles and situations.

IQ 103 in context

IQ 103 sits 3 points above the population mean of 100 and 12 points below the one-standard-deviation mark at IQ 115. It places at the 58th percentile — 58% of the population scores at or below IQ 103. In the upper half of the Average range, the research consensus is clear: the 3-point advantage over the population midpoint has limited independent predictive power for outcomes. Conscientiousness, accumulated domain expertise, and opportunity account for more variance at IQ 103 than the cognitive score itself. This does not diminish the score — it contextualises it. Most professional and academic paths are fully accessible at this level, and the ceiling is rarely cognitive.

Frequently asked questions

Is 103 a good IQ score?

It is just above the population average. IQ 103 sits at the 58th percentile — 58% of people score at or below this. Most professional and academic paths are fully accessible here. Non-cognitive factors like work ethic and accumulated expertise matter far more than the 3 points above the mean.

What percentile is an IQ of 103?

The 58th percentile. That means 58% of the population scores at or below 103. 42% of people score above 103. The population mean is 100 with a standard deviation of 15.

What careers are associated with an IQ of 103?

Most skilled occupations are within reach at IQ 103. Research shows that in the average range, traits like conscientiousness and work ethic — not raw IQ — are the primary drivers of career outcomes. Most practical and commercial careers cluster near this band.

Can you improve an IQ of 103?

Yes. IQ scores respond to environmental changes, particularly before age 25. Sleep quality has the single largest short-term effect on fluid intelligence. Nutrition, stress reduction, and working memory training also have evidence behind them. Gains of 5–10 points are realistic with sustained effort.

Careers that commonly score in this range

Sales RepresentativeMost commercial sales roles fall within 90–110

Clerical / AdministrativeOffice support and coordination roles cluster here

Skilled TradespersonElectricians, plumbers, mechanics — practical intelligence emphasis

Retail ManagerStore and department management typical range

Notable people reportedly in this range

All figures are estimates or reported by third-party sources — none are clinically verified.

George Washington

First US President and commanding general of the Continental Army — historians estimate Washington's IQ at approximately 95–105 based on his extensive surviving correspondence and military and administrative decisions.

Thomas Edison

Inventor of the light bulb, phonograph, and motion picture camera — Edison's IQ is estimated at approximately 95–110 by historians. He left school at 12 and famously said genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.

Ronald Reagan

40th US President and former actor — IQ estimated at approximately 105–115 in several published presidential cognitive assessments, including Simonton's (2006) historiometric analysis of US presidents.

Andrew Jackson

7th US President — self-educated lawyer and military general. Popular presidential IQ surveys place Jackson at approximately 105–115, reflecting strong practical and emotional intelligence over formal academic ability.

From the IQScore blog

Further reading selected for this score range.

Can You Improve Your IQ? →

Honest breakdown of what actually moves the needle.

What Sleep Deprivation Does to Your IQ →

The fastest way to suppress cognitive performance, and how to reverse it.

Nutrition and Brain Performance →

Which dietary factors have the clearest evidence behind them.

Working Memory and Intelligence →

The most directly trainable component of measured IQ.