Does IQ still matter? Two CerebrumIQ users share what happened after their test results — and why their reactions couldn’t be more different

Two recent Reddit discussions, both prompted by CerebrumIQ test results, reveal just how complicated our relationship with intelligence — and the idea of measuring it — has become. One user was devastated by a low score that made them question whether they belonged in college at all. Another questioned whether IQ matters anymore in a world where success is increasingly disconnected from academic metrics. But beneath the surface of both posts is something more universal: the search for self-understanding in a world that keeps changing the definition of “smart.”

“I got a shockingly low CerebrumIQ score and now I feel completely lost”

For the first Reddit user, curiosity quickly turned into anxiety. They took the CerebrumIQ test not as a challenge but as a check-in — something light. But the result wasn’t light at all. It was “embarrassingly low,” and it hit hard.

“I’ve always thought of myself as average,” they wrote. “But now I’m wondering if I’ve been deluding myself this whole time.”

They described struggling in college and now questioning whether their difficulties were a sign they simply weren’t cut out for academic life. Their post wasn’t just about a score — it was about shame, fear, and a sudden collapse of self-confidence.

The comments, however, were full of nuance. Some pointed out that intelligence tests don’t measure persistence, emotional maturity, or adaptability. Others reminded the user that IQ tests — while structured and data-based — are still influenced by outside factors like sleep, anxiety, and attention span.

One commenter put it simply: “You don’t need a number to tell you you’re worth trying.”

“Who even cares about IQ anymore?”

The second user had a very different reaction. Their score wasn’t low. It was decent. But instead of validation, they felt... apathy.

“Like, does this even mean anything?” they asked. “People are building entire careers off TikTok and YouTube. Does anyone actually care about IQ anymore?”

The responses were divided. Some users agreed — citing the rise of creators, influencers, and self-taught entrepreneurs as evidence that traditional definitions of intelligence are outdated. Others pointed out that IQ might not matter in public perception, but it still plays a role in how people solve problems, manage information, and adapt to change.

One thoughtful reply reframed the debate: “IQ doesn’t matter in terms of status. But knowing how your brain works? That’s always valuable.”

What CerebrumIQ is actually built to do

CerebrumIQ.com isn’t trying to tell you who’s smarter. It’s not about labels. The platform is designed to break cognitive performance into meaningful categories: logical reasoning, memory, processing speed, and problem-solving. Each section is measured independently so users can see where their strengths and challenges lie.

That breakdown matters. Because it shows you more than a single number. It tells you how your mind handles different tasks, where you might be underusing your strengths, or how stress might be limiting your abilities.

The site also includes optional training tools — games, exercises, and modules — that allow users to build on their results over time. For many, that makes CerebrumIQ not just an assessment, but a starting point.

What if your score really is low?

Low scores hurt — especially when you weren’t expecting them. But they don’t tell the whole story.

Someone with a low CerebrumIQ result might feel exposed, ashamed, or even panicked. But that number is not destiny. It’s a reflection of a particular moment under a particular set of conditions. It doesn’t measure curiosity. It doesn’t measure discipline. And it doesn’t know how hard you’ve worked to be where you are.

If your result feels like a setback, don’t treat it as a conclusion. Treat it as a question: what was going on in my life when I took this? Was I tired? Distracted? Unprepared? Or am I just wired to think and learn in a way that this test doesn’t fully reflect?

What if your score is high — and you still feel disconnected?

On the other hand, a high score can feel meaningless if you’re not sure what to do with it. That’s what the second Reddit post captures so well. In an age where intelligence is increasingly decoupled from income, influence, or visibility, knowing your IQ might not offer a path — it might raise more questions.

But that’s the point. Tests like CerebrumIQ are most powerful when they’re used for self-discovery, not self-definition.

Whether your score is high, low, or somewhere in between, the real value lies in what you do next. What do you want to learn? What skills do you want to strengthen? What mental habits are holding you back?

Beyond the number: a generational shift in how we view intelligence

Part of the ambivalence toward IQ tests among younger generations comes from a cultural shift. Gen Z and younger millennials are more likely to prize adaptability, creativity, emotional intelligence, and digital fluency. They’ve seen traditional paths falter — and unconventional paths succeed.

That doesn’t make IQ irrelevant. But it does make it incomplete.

What CerebrumIQ offers is a framework — not a final answer. For users who feel lost, it can be a starting point for growth. For those who feel skeptical, it can be a tool for learning more about how their brain responds to structure.

Either way, the test isn’t the end. It’s a mirror. One that reflects something worth exploring — not something to fear.