New findings suggest a significant gap between how smart people think they are and how they perform on standardized cognitive assessments.
A recent survey by CerebrumIQ of 10,128 users reveals that while 48% believe they are above average in intelligence, only 27% scored accordingly on the platform's standardized tests. The discrepancy underscores a growing divide between self-perception and measurable ability, particularly among younger users.
This gap has broader implications in an era defined by self-quantification, from sleep tracking to productivity apps, where people increasingly rely on internal cues to gauge their abilities. The data suggest that intelligence remains one of the most abstract self-assessments, often influenced more by confidence and identity than by performance on tasks that measure reasoning or memory.
Age plays a pivotal role. Among users aged 18 to 36, 52% believed they were above average, yet only 30% scored in that range. In contrast, users over 50 demonstrated a closer alignment, with only 34% claiming to be above average and 31% performing at that level. This suggests that confidence, rather than experience, increasingly drives younger individuals’ self-assessments.
Gender dynamics also surfaced in the analysis. 53% of male respondents rated themselves as above average, compared to 42% of female users. However, test outcomes showed a narrower performance gap, with 28% of men and 26% of women scoring above the average threshold. This indicates that men may slightly overestimate their cognitive ability more often than women, despite similar performance levels.
The emotional response to this cognitive dissonance is also notable. Among respondents who believed they were above average but scored below it, 41% said they planned to retake the assessment within the next month. By comparison, only 23% of those whose self-perception aligned with their results expressed the same intent. These figures suggest that the realization of a discrepancy between belief and performance can serve as a motivator for further testing and reflection.
As debates around what constitutes intelligence continue, CerebrumIQ’s survey offers a grounded counterpoint: while people may conceptualize intelligence broadly, measurable assessments can expose significant gaps in self-awareness. The consistent overestimation of cognitive ability, especially among younger users, reflects not only optimism but a broader cultural discomfort with statistical averages. In a society that rewards certainty and uniqueness, being "average" is often equated with inadequacy. These results invite a reconsideration of how intelligence is perceived, measured, and internalized in an age of constant self-evaluation.
About CerebrumIQ:
CerebrumIQ is a cognitive performance platform designed to strengthen mental skills through a blend of IQ testing, neural training games, intelligence puzzles, educational courses, and expert content. The assessments are calibrated to reflect standard IQ tests and used globally to track and enhance users’ thinking abilities. The platform, used by over a million people worldwide, offers more than 300 lessons on emotional intelligence, problem-solving, innovation, confidence-building, and decision-making, helping users develop essential life skills in a structured, engaging way. CerebrumIQ is redefining how people engage with their mental potential. Unlike entertainment-style brain games, Cerebrum IQ is a structured training ecosystem built to deliver lasting neural growth.
CerebrumIQ is a cognitive performance platform designed to strengthen mental skills through a blend of IQ testing, neural training games, intelligence puzzles, educational courses, and expert content. The assessments are calibrated to reflect standard IQ tests and used globally to track and enhance users’ thinking abilities. The platform, used by over a million people worldwide, offers more than 300 lessons on emotional intelligence, problem-solving, innovation, confidence-building, and decision-making, helping users develop essential life skills in a structured, engaging way. CerebrumIQ is redefining how people engage with their mental potential. Unlike entertainment-style brain games, Cerebrum IQ is a structured training ecosystem built to deliver lasting neural growth.