Individuals often take IQ tests in order to test out their cognitive ability and how they can adapt their knowledge to everyday life. This can sometimes lead to testing into gifted programs, or even securing an esteemed position at a company.

While IQ tests are used on a national level for a variety of measurements, some people are still confused as to how exactly an IQ is measured, according to Psychology Today. The source reports that a person's mental age is divided by their chronological age, and then multiplied by 100. This helps determine how someone's thought process compares to the rest of society in their bracket.

Different states have their own measurements on what's considered to be genius. The average IQ score rises an average of three points every decade. Analysts attribute this trend to the Flynn effect, which offers a number of explanations as to why people are continually getting smarter. While some insiders have suggested it is nutrition being offered, others say it's the education offerings.