IQ Score Guide / 121
Is 121 a Good IQ Score?
What an IQ of 121 means, where it ranks, and what it reveals about cognitive ability.
Where IQ 121 sits on the scale
An IQ of 121 is higher than 92% of people
In a room of 100 people, about 8 would score 121 or higher.
What an IQ of 121 means
An IQ of 121 is in about the top 8% of people, or 1 in 12. This is the range where a lot of graduates from strong universities and people in demanding, analytical jobs are found. Difficult material tends to feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
How people who score 121 actually do
We looked at the 148 people who have scored exactly 121 on the IQScore test. On average, their strongest area was spatial reasoning and their weakest was numerical reasoning. Here is the typical breakdown by section.
Real data from 148 IQScore test-takers. Section figures are the average percentage answered correctly in each area. Updated July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is 121 a good IQ score?
Yes. An IQ of 121 is clearly above average. It sits 9 points below the Mensa cut-off of 130, but in much the same territory. Demanding, analytical work tends to come comfortably.
What percentile is an IQ of 121?
An IQ of 121 is at about the 92th percentile. In plain terms, you score higher than around 92 out of every 100 people. The average score is 100.
What jobs suit an IQ of 121?
This range lines up with a lot of graduate-level work: medicine, law, engineering, teaching and management. People here tend to do well in roles that involve analysis or leading others.
Can you improve an IQ of 121?
A little. Scores this high are strongly shaped by genetics, so big jumps are unlikely. Good sleep, regular exercise and a clear head on the day all help, but expect small gains rather than large ones.
Careers that commonly score in this range
Famous people near IQ 121
Reported or estimated figures from third-party sources, none are clinically verified.
Lyndon B. Johnson
Estimated around 119, 2 points below 121
36th US President, Southwest Texas State University graduate and skilled legislative strategist. Simonton's historiometric analysis estimates his IQ at approximately 120–126, placing him solidly in the high-average range.
George W. Bush
Estimated around 125, 4 points above 121
43rd US President, Yale and Harvard Business School graduate. Analysis of his 1206 SAT score (1964 scale) using the Frey-Detterman correlation estimates his IQ at approximately 120–125.
Oprah Winfrey
Estimated around 125, 4 points above 121
Media executive, actress, and philanthropist, Tennessee State University graduate and one of the most successful self-made entrepreneurs in US history. Published profiles estimate her IQ at approximately 115–120, with particular strength in emotional and interpersonal intelligence.
From the IQScore blog
Further reading selected for this score range.
What Is a Good IQ Score? →
Where every score lands, and what counts as good, average, or gifted.
IQ Score Ranges Explained →
Every band from below average to genius, and what each one means.
IQ Score by Age →
How scores shift with age, and what stays fixed over a lifetime.
Fluid vs Crystallised Intelligence →
The two cognitive systems behind every IQ score.
Average IQ by Profession →
Where scores in this range cluster across careers.
How Much of IQ Is Genetic? →
What twin studies say about scores in the superior range.
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