Free IQ Test for 10 & 12 Year Olds: Questions, Scores 

As children grow into their preteen years, their intellectual and reasoning abilities rapidly advance. Many parents wonder: What is the average IQ for a 12 year old? And how does their child compare? IQ tests remain one of the most common ways to measure intelligence in both children and adults.

But what do the results really mean? WuKong Education will explain what an average IQ score is for 10 & 12 year olds, how kids IQ tests work, and what parents can learn from their child’s test results. 

Questions for IQ Test for 12 Year Olds

Here are some questions of the free IQ test for 10 & 12 year olds that could be used to assess intelligence:

1. Which number should come next in this series: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10? 

A) 11 

B) 12 

C) 14 

D) 16

2. Which shape comes next in the sequence?

    A)   ▲

    B)    ■

    C)    ●

    D)    ◇

3. Which word does NOT belong with the others? 

A) Smile 

B) Frown 

C) Beam 

D) Grin

4. Which shape comes next in the sequence?

    A)    ●

    B)    ■

    C)   ▲

    D)    ★

5. Which number should replace the question mark?

35, 34, 33, 32, ?, 30

A) 27 

B) 28 

C) 29 

D) 31

6. Look at this series: 22, 21, 23, 22, 24, 23, … What number should come next? 

A) 22 

B) 24 

C) 25 

D) 26

7. Which word is the odd one out?

A) January 

B) February

C) June 

D) April

8. Which two numbers have the same relationship as 2 and 8?

A) 4 and 6

B) 6 and 18

C) 5 and 10 

D) 10 and 40

9. If a doctor gives you 3 pills to take in the morning and 4 at night, how many pills do you take over the 2 days?

A) 12 

B) 14 

C) 7 

D) 21

10. A boy is running away from home at 3 mph. Two hours later, his brother started to chase him on his bike at 9 mph. How long did it take the brother to catch him? 

A) 3 hours 

B) 4 hours 

C) 1 hour 

D) 2 hours

11. Look at the row of numbers below. What should the missing number be? 2 – 4 – 6 – 8 – ? 

A) 7 

B) 9 

C) 10 

D) 12

12. Count the number of circles in the image below:

A) 7 

B) 8 

C) 9 

D) 10

13. Choose the word that is most different from the others: 

A) laugh 

B) giggle 

C) smile 

D) cry

14. Which number should come next in the pattern? 1 – 2 – 4 – 7 – 11 – ? 

A) 13 

B) 16 

C) 18 

D) 20

15. If John’s height is 180 cm and Mary’s height is one foot shorter. How tall is Mary in cm? 

A) 167 cm 

B) 175 cm 

C) 25 cm 

D) 152 cm

What is the average IQ score by age?

IQ score ranges are set so that 100 is considered average for any age group. Around 68% of people score within one standard deviation above or below the mean IQ score of 100. This IQ score range of 85 to 115 is considered normal, with most people scoring near the average.

IQ scores are designed to be age-independent, meaning they are adjusted for age so that the average IQ for any age group is set to 100. In general, IQ tests are calibrated to ensure that people of different ages have a comparable score distribution. Here is a table with the average test score of each age level.

Age	Normal or average IQ score	Notes
16 – 17	108	Teens’ cognitive maturity, high academic engagement.
18 – 19	105	Early adulthood, life focus shifts impact scores slightly.
20 – 24	99	Young adults balance roles, varied intellectual challenges.
25 – 34	97	Career – building, practical problem solving prioritized.
35 – 44	101	Mid – career, experience enriches cognitive flexibility.
45 – 54	106	Established stage, experience boosts pattern recognition.
55 – 64	109	Mature stability, knowledge compensates for speed changes.
65 – 69	114	Older adults excel in crystallized intelligence.
70 – 74	119	Exceptional retained knowledge despite potential decline.

However, what is the normal IQ range for a 12-year-old? Average intelligence scores for 12-year-olds range from 97 to 117 points. A score between 85 and 115 is considered normal intelligence for a child this age. Scores between 130-144+ (very high IQ) indicate a 12-year-old with high potential or giftedness.

The following table outlines the average IQ range for children between the ages of 6 and 15.

Age	Average IQ Range	Educational Intervention Suggestions
6 – year – old	87 – 114	Use interactive games for basic skills; offer extra repetition for slower learners.
7 – year – old	90 – 113	Incorporate hands – on activities; provide reading/writing support as needed.
8 – year – old	91 – 112	Introduce group learning for collaboration; target math/literacy gaps with small – group lessons.
9 – year – old	93 – 112	Encourage independent study projects; use visual aids for complex concepts.
10 – year – old	95 – 115	Assign open ended questions to boost critical thinking; support advanced readers/writers.
11 – year – old	96 – 116	Facilitate debate clubs; offer enrichment in STEM/humanities based on interest.
12 – year – old	97 – 117	Integrate real world problem solving; provide college and career readiness basics.
13 – year – old	99 – 120	Mentor for academic goals; offer AP – level intro courses for high performers.
14 – year – old	100 – 121	Customize learning paths; focus on time – management skills.
15 – year – old	100 – 123	Support research papers/internships; prepare for standardized tests (SAT/ACT prep).

Interpreting IQ Scores 

Beyond a single score, most standardized tests also provide percentile rankings and interpretation categories like:

IQ Range	Classification	Typical Traits
130+	Very superior	Excels at complex reasoning
120-129	Superior	Strong learning ability
110-119	High average	Above-average grasp of new concepts
90-109	Average	Consistent with age-level expectations
80-89	Low average	Needs more repetition to learn
70-79	Borderline impaired	Struggles with abstract thinking
Under 70	Extremely low	Requires significant support for tasks

For parents assessing their 12 year old’s performance, focus more on subtest strengths and struggles than the exact overall IQ score. Review what verbal, perceptual, memory and speed categories they excelled or tested poorly in.

Pay most attention to any large gaps between the highest and lowest subtest scores. A difference of 15-20+ IQ points across skill areas can signal learning disorders even if the overall score remains normal. For twice exceptional students showing signs of both giftedness and disability, the mix of extreme highs and lows is the key indicator.

Evaluate their test performance based on effort level as well. Since IQ scores compare against age group averages, the 50th percentile is “normal” by definition, not bad. Scores below 20% might raise concerns, but anxiety, low motivation, illness or lack of rest on test day could also cause results that seem unexpectedly low.

What is the normal IQ range?

The normal IQ classification for any age group is typically 85–115. This range encompasses approximately 68% of the population, as it falls within one standard deviation of the mean score of 100. Scores in this range indicate that an individual’s cognitive abilities are consistent with the average for their age group, allowing them to handle daily tasks, learning, and problem-solving typical of their developmental stage. Scores outside this range, below 85 or above 115, are less common.

IQ Score Range	Classification	Key Notes
130+	Very superior	Often linked to giftedness
116-129	Above average	Exceeds typical cognitive performance
70–84	Below average	May need targeted learning support
Below 70	Intellectually challenged	Requires specialized intervention

What Impacts IQ Scores for 12 Year Olds?

Childhood IQ remains quite stable year over year, increasing gradually with brain development. Still, many factors shape IQ testing performance, including:

1. Genetics

Twin studies confirm genetics contribute significantly to intelligence levels. Inherited traits passed down relate both to overall IQ and strengths in certain cognitive skills. But environmental conditions shape whether inherited talent translates into achievement.

2. Education Quality

Early schooling builds knowledge and reasoning aptitude vital to handling IQ test questions. Gaps emerge by 4th grade between students receiving high quality education and those receiving low quality education. School funding and teacher effectiveness both impact IQ scores.

3. Social Economic Status

Access to learning resources at home, combined with family stress levels, greatly affect test performance. Socioeconomic status can influence IQ scores in 12-year-olds, with children from higher-income families often exhibiting higher average IQs.

4. Testing Conditions

An ideal setting is critical for valid results when assessing IQ. Children require focused engagement, free from distraction or fatigue. Testing too quickly produces score inflation, while lengthy sessions or timed formats create unnecessary pressure. Schools emphasizing test speed over problem-solving strategy skew results as well.

5. Emotional Wellbeing

Mental health challenges like depression or test anxiety inhibit student potential. Struggling to cope with fear of failure even temporarily reduces IQ scores by up to 10 points. Positive mindset and resilience must be nurtured in tandem with cognitive skills.

6. Learning Challenges

Disorders like dyslexia, ADHD or autism spectrum can mask true abilities on IQ tests relying on reading, attention and speed. Therefore, it is often necessary to provide accommodations during testing. Moreover, disabilities diagnosed through comprehensive cognitive testing can help guide the implementation of beneficial special education services.

Benefits of IQ Test for 12 Year Olds

Despite some limitations, professionally administered IQ tests provide meaningful insights for improving children’s education. Thus, an IQ test for 10 and 12 years old is necessary.

Parents can better understand learning needs and make informed choices to support talents or shore up deficits. In addition, schools gain objective data to allocate resources, provide early intervention, and identify gifted students. Students build self-awareness of their strengths, which breeds confidence and motivation to fulfill their potential.

Processing patterns revealed on IQ tests also aid in diagnosing learning or developmental disorders. These include Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. Such evidence qualifies students for Individual Education Programs (IEPs) granting learning accommodations and instructional support.

So while IQ scores offer helpful perspectives, they represent just one data point amidst many factors influencing student outcomes. Still, testing provides parents and schools a benchmark to gauge intellectual progress as preteens prepare for high school, college, and beyond. Monitoring IQ changes among the same children over time increases utility even further by showing growth trajectories.

FAQs

Q1. What is a good IQ for a 12 year old?

A good IQ for a 12-year-old is typically between 85 and 115, which is considered the average range. An IQ score of 100 is considered the mean, while scores above 115 are considered “above average” or “gifted.” Scores below 85 may indicate below-average cognitive functioning, but IQ is just one measure of intelligence and doesn’t capture all aspects of a child’s abilities.

Q2. Can I trust an online IQ test?

Most free online IQ tests offer only a rough “IQ rating” and don’t provide a reliable assessment of a person’s abilities compared to age peers. These short quizzes, often lacking timed sections or certified norms, tend to inflate scores.

For accurate and valid results, it’s essential to take an official IQ test, such as the WAIS or WISC, which are professionally developed and administered under standardized conditions by trained psychologists. Only these official tests can provide a true measure of intellectual abilities.

Q3. What does the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children?

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) is a standardized IQ test designed to assess the cognitive abilities of children aged 6 to 16. It measures various aspects of intelligence, including verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. The WISC helps evaluate a child’s intellectual functioning and can be used to identify learning disabilities, giftedness, or other developmental concerns.

Q4. What is a good IQ for a 10 year old?

An IQ score of 122 is considered above average for a 10-year-old. The average IQ score is set at 100, with most scores falling between 85 and 115. A score of 122 places a child in the upper range of the average category, indicating strong cognitive abilities

Q5. Is 120 IQ smart for a 13 year old?

An IQ score of 120 is definitely a good score since it means superior or above-average intelligence. Although not in the category of gifted or genius, an IQ score of 120 still falls within the top 10% of the population on the IQ scale.

Q6. What is the average IQ for an 11-year-old?

The average IQ range for 11-year-olds is 96–116. This range is slightly higher than that of 10-year-olds, reflecting the continued cognitive development typical of this age. Like other age groups, a score of 100 is considered the midpoint of average, with most 11-year-olds scoring within this range. Scores above 116 are considered above average, while scores below 96 may indicate areas where additional support could be beneficial.

Q7. What is the average IQ for a 10-year-old?

For 10-year-olds, the average IQ range is 95–115. A score of 100 is the mean, and approximately 68% of 10-year-olds will fall within this range, which is considered “normal” for their age. Scores above 115 are classified as above average, often indicating strong cognitive abilities, while scores below 95 may suggest that the child could benefit from targeted learning support.

Q8. What is the normal IQ range?

The normal IQ classification for any age group is typically 85–115. This range encompasses approximately 68% of the population, as it falls within one standard deviation of the mean score of 100.

IQ Score Range	Classification	Key Notes
130+	Very superior	Often linked to giftedness
116-129	Above average	Exceeds typical cognitive performance
70–84	Below average	May need targeted learning support
Below 70	Intellectually challenged	Requires specialized intervention

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding IQ scores for 10- and 12-year-olds can provide valuable insights into a child’s intellectual development. While the average IQ score for these age groups typically falls around 100, it’s important to remember that IQ tests are just one tool to assess cognitive abilities. WuKong Math goes beyond traditional teaching with Singapore’s proven CPA approach, guiding students from concrete examples to abstract modeling.

A child’s score may reflect their reasoning, problem-solving, and memory skills, but it doesn’t account for creativity, emotional intelligence, or other important aspects of growth.

If you still want to get more information, you can click on the link below, and WuKong Education will continue to accompany your child’s learning.

Parents should consider these scores as part of a broader picture of their child’s abilities and potential, remembering that every child develops at their own pace. Encouraging a child’s curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills will help foster their growth beyond just the numbers on a test.