If you want to know the record holder for the highest IQ in the world, then you're in the right place. Although many people think it's Steven Hawking with an IQ of slightly over 200, or Marilyn vos Savant with and IQ of 228. We want to mention that results of IQs can vary from test to test and by age. For example an IQ of 170 at the age of 10 years old is the equivalent of an adult IQ of only 106. The other problem is that there is no set way to measure intelligence as there are too many aspects to take into account (memory, problem-solving, etc.), so don't put too much faith in your IQ rating.

The highest IQ ever to be scored in the advanced IQ test was by Abdesselam Jelloul. Who scored an adult IQ of 198 in a 2012 test which included 13 dimensions of intelligence (analytical, spatial, logical, memory, musical, linguistic, philosophical, moral, spiritual, interpersonal, intra-personal, bodily and naturalist). Unlike other tests, the advanced IQ test includes more measures that other tests cannot assess.

Guinness retired the category of "Highest IQ" in 1990, after concluding that IQ tests are not reliable enough to designate a single world record holder. So do not expect to find any reliable information about the highest IQ.

Previously, the highest IQ ever recorded was by Marilyn vos Savant with 228; however that is a mental status ratio IQ (used for children). Adult IQs are measured by standard deviations, in which her adult IQ would compute to about 185, which is lower than famous chess master Bobby Fischer (187). Kim Ung-Yong is a Korean former child prodigy. Kim was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records under "Highest IQ"; the book estimated the boy's score at about 210. Albert Einstein was considered to "only" have an IQ of about 160.

Other contenders would be Leonardo da Vinci, estimated at ~190. Another would be William James Sidis, estimated also at a similar level. Theoretically speaking, 200 is the maximum IQ possible. All the preposterous stories about people with IQs of well over 200 are impossible. In fact, no one has probably ever reached an adult IQ of 200.

Here is a list of individuals with the highest IQ as well as other popular prodigies:

You might see that some IQ scores are different. It's because the above list is taking into consideration only adult IQ scores. To convert a child's IQ score into an adult score do the following: child IQ score/100*age/16*100 = adult IQ score. The number 16 is used to indicate the age at which supposedly the IQ reaches its peak.

Did you know that Guinness retired the category of "Highest IQ" in 1990, after concluding that IQ tests are not reliable enough to designate a single world record holder? So do not expect to find any reliable information about the highest IQ.