What is the IQ distribution among PhD students in mathematics? Although exact data based on academic degrees may vary, I can provide an analysis based on profession-related information. Data from the U.S. Employment Service indicates that the lowest IQ among individuals listed as mathematicians was 115, with an average of 143. This suggests that a person needs to be in the top 15% of the population to succeed in this field, and nearly three standard deviations above the average to reach the IQ considered “average” for mathematicians. Interestingly, this average IQ of 143 corresponds to a rarity of 1 in 500 individuals.
Based on GRE (Graduate Record Examination) data from 2015 to 2018 for the field of mathematics, the score distribution offers additional insight. Among test-takers intending to pursue graduate studies in mathematics, the average score in Quantitative Reasoning (QR) was 165, with a standard deviation of 9. This reflects strong performance, as the GRE scale ranges from 130 to 170. In comparison, the average Verbal Reasoning (VR) score was 154, with a standard deviation of 9, and the Analytical Writing (AW) average was 3.6, with a standard deviation of 0.8. These numbers indicate that aspiring mathematicians particularly excel in quantitative reasoning, aligning with the intellectual demands of the profession.
For context, the GRE also includes data from other related fields, such as physics (average QR of 165, VR of 157, AW of 3.7) and actuarial sciences (average QR of 164, VR of 149, AW of 4.3), showing that performance in mathematics ranks among the highest. These indicators reinforce the idea that success in mathematics requires exceptional intellect, supporting the estimated average IQ of 143 as a distinctive hallmark of this professional community.
Note: GRE data reflects the percentile distribution of scores within intended graduate fields, based on test-takers from July 2015 to June 2018.
