Does Studying Hard Increase IQ? The Truth You Didn't Expect

First off: what even is IQ?

Before we dive headfirst into whether burning the midnight oil makes you a genius, let’s clear up what IQ (Intelligence Quotient) actually measures. Spoiler: it’s not how much you know. IQ is more about your cognitive abilities — stuff like problem-solving, memory, spatial reasoning, and speed of processing information.

I used to think if I just crammed hard enough for a test, I’d magically become “smarter.” Like my brain would just level up like in a video game. But… it doesn’t really work like that. At least not in the way I hoped.

That said, studying hard does do something important. Just maybe not what you're expecting.

Can studying raise your actual IQ score?

Short answer: kinda, but not exactly

Here's the thing: your core IQ is surprisingly stable over time. Most people stay within a 10-point range unless there’s trauma, illness, or something extreme. So no, studying alone won't transform a 100 IQ into a 140. That’s not how the brain works.

BUT — and this is big — studying can improve your performance on IQ-related tasks. Like, if you practice logic puzzles every day, you’ll get better at them. Same with math or language. That’s not because your IQ went up — it’s because your skills got sharper.

Honestly, I had this chat with my friend Lena (she’s a psychology grad) and she said something that stuck: “Studying doesn’t raise IQ, but it can raise how smart you seem — and sometimes, that’s more useful anyway.”

Training your brain is still real

There are things like “working memory training” and cognitive exercises that can have small effects. But those gains usually hit a ceiling. You get better at the task itself, but it doesn’t always transfer to other areas.

So yeah, Sudoku might not make you Einstein — but it won't hurt either.

What studying actually boosts

Crystallized intelligence

Okay, nerd alert incoming — but it’s worth knowing this. Psychologists talk about fluid vs. crystallized intelligence.

• Fluid = raw problem-solving ability

• Crystallized = knowledge and skills built over time

Studying doesn’t really touch fluid intelligence. But it absolutely jacks up your crystallized intelligence. That’s your vocabulary, your world knowledge, your understanding of how things connect. In other words: the stuff that makes you wise.

I used to bomb general knowledge quizzes. Then I got obsessed with documentaries and random Wikipedia rabbit holes. Now? I’m the guy people want on their trivia team. Not because I got smarter — but because I fed my brain better stuff.

Confidence and metacognition

Here’s something nobody talks about enough: studying doesn’t just make you “know” more. It helps you understand how you learn. That’s called metacognition, and it’s lowkey a superpower.

Once I figured out I’m a visual learner (thanks, colorful mind maps), I stopped wasting time reading dense textbooks that made my brain melt. That alone changed my life more than any IQ boost ever could.

Wait — so is IQ even that important?

Not as much as you’ve been told

IQ predicts some things — like academic performance or reaction time. But honestly? It doesn’t predict creativity, emotional intelligence, work ethic, or even success in life all that well.

One of the smartest people I know (shoutout to Amir) is borderline chaotic. Always misplacing stuff, missing deadlines. But when he talks? He blows your mind. Still, he struggles in structured environments. Meanwhile, my cousin who isn’t “high IQ” is crushing it as a nurse because she’s organized, calm, and has the soft skills people dream of.

So yeah, IQ’s a piece of the puzzle. But not the whole damn picture.

So… should you still study hard?

Absolutely — just shift the goal

Study to understand. Study to grow. Study to build habits that shape how you interact with the world. Don’t study just to be “smart.” That mindset will burn you out fast.

Back in high school, I studied 6 hours a day trying to outscore this kid in my class (he always finished first and had this annoying perfect hair). I never did beat him on test scores — but I did build a discipline that helped me later in college, work, and life. That mattered more in the long run.

Bottom line?
Studying hard won’t give you a higher IQ score. But it will make you more capable, confident, and mentally flexible. And honestly? That’s a way better deal.

Brains aren’t fixed. You can’t change the engine, but you can become a way better driver. And that’s where real growth happens.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.