
Does IQ Decline With Age? A Decade-by-Decade Cognitive Trajectory
Decade-by-decade IQ data from Hartshorne, Salthouse, Schaie, and Singh-Manoux shows no single peak age. See which abilities decline, hold, or rise after 45.
Authoritative guides on IQ testing, scoring methodology, careers, and our product.

Decade-by-decade IQ data from Hartshorne, Salthouse, Schaie, and Singh-Manoux shows no single peak age. See which abilities decline, hold, or rise after 45.

Cognitive abilities peak at different ages, many in your 40s-50s. Why midlife is the optimal time for a career change.