Question
Can you increase your IQ?
Short answer
You can raise your score on an IQ test by about 4 points on average just by retaking it, mostly because the format becomes familiar. That is a gain in test performance, not clear evidence of a change in underlying ability. We know of no sourced method that reliably raises a person’s IQ beyond that.
Want your own number? The test is 25 visual puzzles, about 12 minutes, no sign-up.
What practice does
A meta-analysis of retest studies found that taking a cognitive ability test again raises scores by about a quarter of a standard deviation on average, roughly 4 IQ points, and more when the same form is reused (Hausknecht et al., 2007). Most of that comes from familiarity: you know what the items look like, how long you have and how to pace yourself.
That is useful. If you have never seen a matrix puzzle, your first one costs time just to understand. A little practice removes that cost so the score reflects your reasoning instead of your surprise. Our puzzle library and free practice tests exist for exactly this.
Try one · Logical Reasoning
Which tile completes the second pair?
Tap the option you think is right, or show the answer.
Show the answer
The missing panel shows a large solid circle, with small solid shapes: a diamond at the top-right corner (option 3).
How to solve it
- Compare the first two panels and name exactly what changed.
- The main shape and the small shapes swap forms: the main shape takes the form of the small ones, and the small ones take the form of the main shape.
- Nothing else changes.
- Apply the same change to the third panel: a large solid diamond, with small solid shapes: a circle at the top-right corner.
- So the missing panel shows a large solid circle, with small solid shapes: a diamond at the top-right corner.
That was 1 puzzle. The full test has 25.
What practice does not show
A higher score after practice is not proof that your underlying ability changed. Test makers know about practice effects, which is why clinical retests are spaced out and why some tests use alternate forms. If you take the same test five times, the fifth score mostly measures how well you remember the test.
What changes over generations
Average measured IQ rose through the 20th century, by about 3 points per decade in US data and about 2.8 points per decade in a large meta-analysis, with gains slowing recently (Pietschnig & Voracek, 2015). Some recent data even show a reversal (Bratsberg & Rogeberg, 2018). These are shifts across whole populations over decades. See the Flynn effect guide.
What actually helps on test day
Sleep, a quiet room, a decent screen and knowing the format. None of these raise your ability, but each one removes a way to score below it. The guide how to prepare for an IQ test has the full list, and does retaking an IQ test raise your score covers retests in more detail.
Sources
- Hausknecht, J. P., Halpert, J. A., Di Paolo, N. T., & Moriarty Gerrard, M. O. (2007). Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(2), 373-385. doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.92.2.373
- Pietschnig, J., & Voracek, M. (2015). One century of global IQ gains. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(3), 282-306. doi.org/10.1177/1745691615577701
- Bratsberg, B., & Rogeberg, O. (2018). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(26), 6674-6678. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1718793115
- Simons, D. J., Boot, W. R., Charness, N., Gathercole, S. E., Chabris, C. F., Hambrick, D. Z., & Stine-Morrow, E. A. L. (2016). Do "brain-training" programs work? Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 17(3), 103-186. doi.org/10.1177/1529100616661983
- Ritchie, S. J., & Tucker-Drob, E. M. (2018). How much does education improve intelligence? A meta-analysis. Psychological Science, 29(8), 1358-1369. doi.org/10.1177/0956797618774253