Does IQ Matter?
How would you score on a cognitive ability test? Luckbox teamed up with JobTestPrep to share questions similar to those used on the iconic Wonderlic test.
T
he Wonderlic Contemporary Cognitive Ability Test doesn’t yield an IQ score, but the American Mensa version of the Wonderlic has been among the test batteries used most frequently to qualify for membership in the high-IQ society. The test, introduced in 1936, assesses cognitive ability and problem-solving aptitude, and it’s used to evaluate potential employees’ abilities in a variety of industries—even the NFL Scouting Combine administers it. The full version of the test comprises 50 questions, and test-takers have 12 minutes to answer as many correctly as possible. Although it’s not an IQ test, the average score on the Wonderlic is around 20-21 points, which is roughly equivalent to the average IQ score of 100. Average scores for Wonderlic test-takers from a single industry paint a telling picture. Results collected in 1983, for example, showed median scores above 30 points for systems analysts, chemists and electrical engineers. The high 20s were home to engineers, programmers, accountants and executives. And the upper teens to low 20s is where cashiers, clerical workers and receptionists typically scored. In its more than 80 years of use, the Wonderlic has become one of the most popular cognitive ability tests. It proved its entertainment value when several staff members of The Howard Stern Show took the test.
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26 Offensive tackle
19 Linebacker
25 Center
18 Cornerback
24 Quarterback
17 Wide receiver
23 Guard
17 Fullback
22 Tight end
16 Halfback
19 Safety
Lamar Jackson Ryan Fitzpatrick
Passing the Test Do Wonderlic scores predict quarterback performance? Conspicuous correlations seem to occur. Ryan Fitzpatrick, a Harvard alum, scored a 1580 on the SAT back when it was out of 1600. His 2005 Wonderlic score of 48 is noted to be among the top three scores for NFL players. Despite their large disparity in Wonderlic scoring, Fitzpatrick, a 15-year NFL veteran, and Baltimore Ravens rising star Lamar Jackson have something in common: Both QBs led their teams in rushing yards in 2019.
Name
Wonderlic Score
NFL Passer Rating
Salary (avg. ann.)
Ryan Fitzpatrick
48
82.3
$5.5M
Eli Manning
39
84.1
$21M
Aaron Rodgers
35
103.9
$33.5M
Tom Brady
33
97.3
$25M
Jay Cutler
26
85.3
$10M
Ben Roethlisberger
25
94.0
$34M
Patrick Mahomes
24
108.7
$45M
Cam Newton
21
85.8
$1.75M
Lamar Jackson
13
102.6
$2.4M
NFL passer ratings measure the performance of quarterbacks. The ratings fall within a scale of 0 to 158.3, and factor in passing attempts, completions, yards gained, touchdowns and interceptions. The higher the rating, the better. Data from curated sources including spotrac.com and nfl.com
PHOTOGRAPHS: (JACKSON) ERIC HARTLINE/USA TODAY SPORTS; (FITZPATRICK) JASEN VINLOVE/USA TODAY SPORTS
Your Brain on Speed
Average Wonderlic Scores by NFL Position
Luckbox | February/March 2021
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1/18/21 10:54 AM
