Is 95 a good IQ for a 23-year-old who doesn't speak English very well?

Answer 1

That is average, but a low average, just below 50%, which is likely due to the language used. The Raven Progressive Matrices Exam is wordless (it does not have words - just pictures and patterns). If you take it, you may get a higher score.

If you're "normal" on an English-based test, then you are probably a standard deviation away from the general population, at least. See the link for a "language neutral" exam. It is a very good test, and just by the fact that you are interested means that your IQ is probably higher than the general population. SO, you did well.

AnswerA good IQ test is supposed to be "language neutral," which means that it should be able to measure an individual's skills in logical reasoning, problem solving, critical thinking, and adaptation, etc., without requiring a pre-existing level of competence in language just to be able to take and understand the test to begin with. In other words, the test should be capable of measuring an individual's "IQ" without that individual being able to read or write any particular language. This means that any good test would have to be administered individually (and orally), and for obvious reasons, very few are. This is a long way of saying that your score of 95 might normally be considered in the "average range" ("average" being a nominal score of 100), but probably the test you took was not language neutral and therefore it failed to take into account your marginal English language abilities...you probably would have scored significantly higher had you taken the same test in your native language.

(see link to language-neutral test)

Another opinion...

True IQ should not be "influenced" by whatever language you speak. However, we all know this is not possible. If your dominant language is Chinese and you are tested in Chinese, chances are you will perform better than you would in English. Individuals who are in the process of acquiring a second language tend to do lower on cognitive tests (in all areas) and even on the Raven's Matrices. A non-verbal assessment may yield valuable information; however, until an individual is proficient in a language, it is best not to give them an IQ test at all as it will most likely be a low estimate of their abilities.