<p>I understand that by definition,  the mean IQ is 100.
And that over time IQ tests are updated to ensure that mean remains 100.</p>
<p>But if IQ scores were not updated, what would mean IQ be now and how has IQ changed over time?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-12T18:17:50.097Z
The distribution of IQ in the population is well-described by a normal distribution. Since normal distributions are symmetric, the mean and the median are identical. Since median IQ is 100 by definition, the mean IQ is also 100.
Nuclear Hoagie
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-15T01:06:38.803Z
I've edited this question to make it clear that you are asking specifically about historical changes in intelligence test scores.
Jeromy Anglim
<intelligence><iq>
How have mean raw IQ scores changed over time (e.g., over the last 100 years)?
porton
# How have mean raw IQ scores changed over time (e.g., over the last 100 years)?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-03-12)

I understand that by definition, the mean IQ is 100.
And that over time IQ tests are updated to ensure that mean remains 100.

But if IQ scores were not updated, what would mean IQ be now and how has IQ changed over time?

**Tags:** intelligence, iq

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The distribution of IQ in the population is well-described by a normal distribution. Since normal distributions are symmetric, the mean and the median are identical. Since median IQ is 100 by definition, the mean IQ is also 100.  
> **username_2**: I've edited this question to make it clear that you are asking specifically about historical changes in intelligence test scores.  

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