Intelligence quotient (IQ) is a measure of an individual mental capacity to learn and retain information. It has also been linked with factors such as morbidity, mortality, parental social status and parental IQ. However, many argue that the mechanism of inheriting intelligence may require further investigation.

In one recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology showed that believing in one's ability and being told that they are the best at what they do outperforms those who are told otherwise.

For instance, the study examined Asian Americans who are stereotyped as being good in math. Half of the participants were told that the stereotype was true, while the other half was told this was false. Furthermore, 25 percent were told that math performance was innate and 25 percent were told that it is effort-based.

Researchers found that those who were told that the stereotype was true and that math performance is innate outperformed all other groups. They added that the participants benefited from believing that their high ability could not be revoked.

People who believe they are more advanced than others may want to consider taking an IQ test to see where their intelligence ranks in relation to their peers.