What a Wonderlic Score of 24 Means
A score of 24 sits in the average-to-above-average band (21–28). It is three points above the population mean of 21 and matches the NFL Combine average. Roughly 65th percentile of the published norms.
Score in Context
What a Wonderlic of 24 Means
Wonderlic 24 is one of the most-cited scores in the test's history because it's the rough average of NFL Combine attendees. Tom Landry's Dallas Cowboys started using the Wonderlic in 1968; by the 1990s every Combine attendee took it. The 24 average reflects the cognitive demands of pro-level football preparation.
On the publisher's conversion, 24 maps to roughly IQ 108. That's solidly in the average-to-above-average range — well within the typical adult distribution but towards its upper half.
For occupational benchmarking, the Wonderlic publisher's data put police officers at about 22, secondary teachers at 26, and journalists at 26. A 24 sits between those and is a reasonable target for cognitively demanding roles that don't require selective-graduate-level performance.
Recommended Next Steps
- Aim for 28+ if you want to clear the 'well above' band.
- Drill spatial reasoning if it's your slowest item type — those tend to be the highest-leverage practice areas.
- Maintain pacing discipline at 14 seconds per item.
Wonderlic vs IQ
The Wonderlic publisher's conversion table maps roughly: Wonderlic 21 ≈ IQ 100; Wonderlic 30 ≈ IQ 120. The Wonderlic measures speed plus reasoning, which doesn't map perfectly to clinical full-scale IQ.
Take the WAIS-style test for a four-index clinical-style profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 24 a good Wonderlic score?
Yes — three points above the population mean of 21 and matching the NFL Combine average. It's competitive for most cognitively demanding roles.
What IQ is a Wonderlic 24?
Roughly IQ 108 on the publisher's conversion.
Why is 24 the NFL Combine average?
Because elite-level football preparation selects for individuals who can handle complex playbooks and on-field decision-making under pressure. The Combine average has been roughly 24 for decades.
Which positions tend to score above 24?
Offensive linemen and quarterbacks tend to be highest (24–28+). Running backs and cornerbacks tend lower (16–18). These are statistical averages, not predictions about any individual.
Should I aim higher than 24?
Depends on context. For most office hiring, 24 is competitive. For selective grad-school-equivalent roles, 28+ is the next milestone.
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