IQ Score Guide / 129
Is 129 a Good IQ Score?
What an IQ of 129 means, where it ranks, and what it reveals about cognitive ability.
Where IQ 129 sits on the scale
An IQ of 129 is higher than 97% of people
In a room of 100 people, about 3 would score 129 or higher.
What an IQ of 129 means
An IQ of 129 is well above average, in roughly the top 3% of people. The Mensa cut-off is 130, so it is only 1 point below it. Scores at this level handle complex, analytical work comfortably.
How people who score 129 actually do
We looked at the 104 people who have scored exactly 129 on the IQScore test. On average, their strongest area was spatial reasoning and their weakest was logical reasoning. Here is the typical breakdown by section.
Real data from 104 IQScore test-takers. Section figures are the average percentage answered correctly in each area. Updated July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is 129 a good IQ score?
Yes. An IQ of 129 is clearly above average. It sits 1 point 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 129?
An IQ of 129 is at about the 97th percentile. In plain terms, you score higher than around 97 out of every 100 people. The average score is 100.
What jobs suit an IQ of 129?
Most demanding careers are well within reach. Doctors, lawyers, researchers, engineers and senior leaders often score in this range. Keep in mind that people vary widely within any job, so the score is a rough guide, not a rule.
Can you improve an IQ of 129?
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 129
Reported or estimated figures from third-party sources, none are clinically verified.
J.K. Rowling
Estimated around 130, 1 point above 129
Author of the Harry Potter series, University of Exeter graduate in French and Classics. Published assessments estimate her IQ at approximately 128–136, consistent with the internal consistency and narrative complexity of a seven-volume fictional universe.
Al Gore
Estimated around 135, 6 points above 129
Former US Vice President, Harvard graduate, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, IQ estimated at approximately 134 in published presidential and vice-presidential cognitive assessments.
Colin Powell
Estimated around 130, 1 point above 129
Former US Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, CCNY graduate and career military officer. IQ widely cited at approximately 127–132 in published assessments of senior military and political leadership cognitive profiles.
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.
Find out your actual IQ score
Free · 36 questions · Instant results · No sign-up
Take the Free IQ Test →