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New data showcases ‘least intelligent’ state in America where average IQ is 95
Each US state has been pitted against one another to determine the ‘most and least intelligent’, and the findings may surprise you.
A compelling new study has endeavored to rank every US State from most to least intelligent, using a range of metrics designed to determine cognitive ability. While the findings should perhaps be taken with a pinch of salt, they do reveal some rather interesting insights into the ways each state prioritizes education and learning.
New study reveals the least intelligent US state
The least intelligent US state is New Mexico.
That’s according to analysis carried out by education platform Guru 99, which reported that the Southwestern state had an average IQ of 95, a figure lower than the national average – which is said to be around 97.
New Mexico was also found to have the highest percentage of the population to possess low levels of literacy, at 29.1%.
Texas was found to be the second least intelligent state, followed by Mississippi, West Virginia and Louisiana.
How the states were ranked
In order to gauge an estimate of each state’s intelligence, the researchers used the following six metrics: Average IQ, graduation rates, percentage of the population with low literacy rates, average SAT scores, percentage of the states that dont have a high school diploma or GED and GDP per capita.
States were given a score out of ten on each metric, which were then combined to give an overall index score out of 60. New Mexico’s index score was 40.52.
The use of financial data would suggest that the researchers believe there is a link between money and intelligence, which could perhaps prompt further debate about how important the class system is in modern US society.
The most contentious metric used was the inclusion of IQ tests – which are generally quite rare to encounter and will likely not be taken by most people during their lives.
IQ tests tend to take the form of multiple-choice exams, which are designed to focus on specific aspects of the human brain, such as numerical and memory-based skills.
The top five smartest states
The intelligence study also identified what the researchers believe to be the five smartest US states, with the leading state boasting an average IQ of 103.2.
The supposed top five most intelligent states in the US are as follows:
- New Hampshire – Index score: 56.82
- Minnesota – Index score: 55.82
- Wyoming – Index score: 54.98
- Vermont – Index score: 54.91
- Montana – Index score: 54.64
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