What a Wonderlic Score of 28 Means
A score of 28 sits at the upper edge of the average-to-above-above band (21–28). It's seven points above the population mean — exactly one standard deviation. Roughly the 84th percentile.
Score in Context
What a Wonderlic of 28 Means
Wonderlic 28 is the boundary score between the average-to-above and well-above-average bands. Statistically, it's exactly one standard deviation above the population mean of 21 — placing you at roughly the 84th percentile of the published norm sample.
On the publisher's conversion, 28 maps to about IQ 117. That's solidly above average and competitive for most cognitively demanding office roles. Bank-manager and executive averages cluster around 27, MBA graduates around 28.
If you scored 28 from a first attempt without practice, that's a strong baseline. Many candidates at this level can push into the 30s with structured preparation, particularly by improving on whichever of the four item types is currently slowest.
Recommended Next Steps
- Push into the 'well above' band (29–34) with focused drilling.
- Identify your slowest item type and target it.
- Take the WAIS-style test for a deeper four-index profile.
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 28 a high Wonderlic score?
Yes — it's at the upper edge of the average-to-above-above band, roughly one standard deviation above the population mean.
What IQ is a Wonderlic 28?
Roughly IQ 117 on the publisher's conversion.
What jobs require a Wonderlic of 28?
MBA-level management, mid-level executive roles, and some professional-services entry positions cluster around 28 in the publisher's occupational data.
Can I score 30 if I'm currently at 28?
Yes — moving from 28 to 30 is a realistic short-term goal with focused practice on the slowest item type and tight pacing.
How does 28 compare to NFL averages?
Above average for the Combine (which averages 24). Most quarterbacks score 24–28, with elite outliers above 30.
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