<p>Particularly engineering, computer science, math. I came across <a href="https://www.quora.com/Is-it-scientifically-proven-if-hard-work-in-STEM-fields-can-compensate-for-a-medium-low-IQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this quote from someone who specializes in psychometrics</a> in response to this question.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Is it scientifically proven if hard work in STEM fields can compensate for a medium/low IQ?</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>&quot;No.</p>
<p>If by “low IQ” you mean a score of 80 or below, there are absolutely no compensatory mechanisms, including hard work, for STEM fields. A person at such an intellectual level is unlikely to finish the first year of college-level work in any academic disciple.</p>
<p>IF, by “medium IQ,” you mean a full-scale score in the 90–110, it isn’t likely that compensatory mechanisms such as a high level of industriousness (hard work) will be advantageous. Exception being for those with exceptional working memory and an island of excellence for abstract/logical thinking in the higher end of average.&quot;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>My question is whether or not this claim is true. If a person has average intelligence (an IQ of 100) and no &quot;island of excellence&quot;, do they have very little chance of having a successful career in STEM no matter how hard they work?</p>
<p>Whether it's in engineering, computer science or obtaining a PhD in math, physics and so on? Thanks...</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-10T06:41:13.100Z
Welcome to Psychology.SE. It is best to link to the original text when quoting somebody. It acknowledges the person who originally said such things. Sometimes, it also provides more context. I have helped by doing that for you.
Chris Rogers
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-14T10:06:37.033Z
What do you mean with the 'island of excellence' you are talking about? The  'hard working' type, or a subskill within the IQ test? There are different types of intelligence being tested in a regular IQ test that ultimately get averaged.
AliceD
<measurement>
Do you need need to have an above average IQ in order to have a reasonable chance of successful career in STEM fields?
Eric Gumba
# Do you need need to have an above average IQ in order to have a reasonable chance of successful career in STEM fields?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-01-09)

Particularly engineering, computer science, math. I came across [this quote from someone who specializes in psychometrics](https://www.quora.com/Is-it-scientifically-proven-if-hard-work-in-STEM-fields-can-compensate-for-a-medium-low-IQ) in response to this question.

> Is it scientifically proven if hard work in STEM fields can compensate for a medium/low IQ?

> "No.
>
> If by “low IQ” you mean a score of 80 or below, there are absolutely no compensatory mechanisms, including hard work, for STEM fields. A person at such an intellectual level is unlikely to finish the first year of college-level work in any academic disciple.
>
> IF, by “medium IQ,” you mean a full-scale score in the 90–110, it isn’t likely that compensatory mechanisms such as a high level of industriousness (hard work) will be advantageous. Exception being for those with exceptional working memory and an island of excellence for abstract/logical thinking in the higher end of average."

My question is whether or not this claim is true. If a person has average intelligence (an IQ of 100) and no "island of excellence", do they have very little chance of having a successful career in STEM no matter how hard they work?

Whether it's in engineering, computer science or obtaining a PhD in math, physics and so on? Thanks...

**Tags:** measurement

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Welcome to Psychology.SE. It is best to link to the original text when quoting somebody. It acknowledges the person who originally said such things. Sometimes, it also provides more context. I have helped by doing that for you.  
> **username_2**: What do you mean with the 'island of excellence' you are talking about? The  'hard working' type, or a subskill within the IQ test? There are different types of intelligence being tested in a regular IQ test that ultimately get averaged.  

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## 0 answers

