NFL Wonderlic Test

Take our NFL Wonderlic test and see how you would fare. From 1970 until 2022, the NFL administered the Wonderlic as part of the draft process.

This exam, also known as the NFL IQ test, has always been a source of controversy. Some believe the results of this exam are a good predictor of success (especially for QB’s), while others believe the results are meaningless.

Free NFL Wonderlic Practice Test

Curious about how you’d perform on the NFL’s mental aptitude test? Take 12 minutes to answer 50 questions on the test below.

Visit our Wonderlic test home for more information on the exam.

What is the NFL Wonderlic Test?

The Wonderlic Contemporary Cognitive Ability test was developed in the 1930s by E.F. Wonderlic, as a collection of intelligence tests that determined one’s capability and aptitude in problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Today, it is used for many different purposes and industries, and is even available in 12 languages across the globe.

The NFL used the Wonderlic during the scouting combine. It was administered to prospective players in order to gauge their cognitive abilities, and first used by Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry to predict his players’ performance on the field.

It caught on with the rest of the league, but the Wonderlic NFL test has been questioned for its accuracy for years – leading to its elimination in 2022.

How is the NFL Wonderlic Test Scored?

The Wonderlic test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions which must be answered in 12 minutes or less. Every question correctly answered adds one point to the test-taker’s final Wonderlic test score. The questions become progressively challenging as one moves through the examination.

Test-takers are not expected to finish the exam, although some do finish in the allotted time. Unanswered questions are scored as zeros.

Here is a breakdown of Wonderlic NFL test scores:

ScoreClassification
<20Literate
20Average
25-49Good/Above Average
50Perfect

It is said that E.F. Wonderlic himself scored a 20 on the exam, as do most people who take the Wonderlic. However, there is a huge range of scores that NFL players have historically earned – from perfect to way below average.

Average NFL Wonderlic Scores by Position

NFL players tend to score differently on the exam depending on their position, with offensive tackles scoring the highest and running backs scoring the lowest, on average.

In the roughly 50 years of the NFL utilizing the test, the average score among players is around 24 out of a perfect 50. Running backs have the lowest average at 16, whereas offensive tackles have the highest average at 26.

PositionAverage Score
Offensive Tackle26
Center25
Quarterback24
Guard23
Tight End22
Safety19
Linebacker19
Cornerback18
Wide Receiver17
Fullback17
Running Back16

Highest NFL Wonderlic Scores

Many NFL players have scored far above average on the NFL test, but there is only one player in NFL history to have received a perfect 50: Pat McInally, a Harvard alum and punter for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Here’s a list of the top ten Wonderlic-scoring NFL players and their alma mater:

PlayerPositionWonderlic ScoreCollegeNotes
Pat McInallyPunter/Wide Receiver50Harvardfifth-round pick in the 1975 NFL Draft
Mike MamulaLinebacker49Boston Collegefirst-round pick in the 1995 NFL Draft
Ben WatsonTight End48Georgiafirst-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft
Ryan FitzpatrickQuarterback48Harvardseventh-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft
Matt BirkCenter46Harvardsixth-round pick in the 1998 NFL Draft
John UrschelGuard/Center43Penn Statefifth-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft
Greg McElroyQuarterback43Alabamaseventh-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft
Eric DeckerWide Receiver43Univ of Minnesotathird-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft
Gardner MinshewQuarterback42East Carolina/Washington Statesixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft
Blaine GabbertQuarterback42Missourifirst-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft

Lowest Wonderlic Scores for the NFL

As you’ll notice, a player’s Wonderlic score does not determine their ability to play pro football. Every player on this list was either a first, second, or third-round draft pick. These are the ten worst Wonderlic scores in NFL history:

PlayerPositionWonderlic ScoreCollegeNotes
Morris ClaiborneCornerback4LSUfirst-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft
Mario ManninghamWide Receiver6Michiganthird-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft
Frank GoreRunning Back6Univ. of Miamithird-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft
Vince YoungQuarterback6Univ. of Texasthird overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft
Tavon AustinWide Receiver7West Virginiafirst-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft
Terrelle PryorWide Receiver7Ohio Statethird-round pick in the 2011 NFL Supplemental Draft
Carlos HydeRunning Back9Ohio Statesecond round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft
Travis HenryRunning Back9Tennesseesecond-round pick in the 2001 NFL Draft
Sebastian JanikowskiKicker9Florida Statefirst round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft
Charles RogersWide Receiver10Michigan Statesecond overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft

What is Tested On the NFL Wonderlic Test?

The NFL Wonderlic test consists of three main areas: verbal, math, and spatial. Your score is also reflective of how well you are able to follow simple instructions.

The Verbal section consists of:

  • Matching vocabulary with definitions
  • Rearranging sentences into the correct order
  • Reading and making inferences

The Math section consists of:

  • Solving equations
  • Fractions and decimals
  • Pattern continuation

The Spatial section consists of:

  • Imagination and geometrical visualization
  • Following directions to reach a destination
  • Analyzing geometric shapes

How Accurate is the NFL Wonderlic Test?

This exam’s usage as an NFL intelligence test has been the subject of much debate and controversy. Many people say that the scores are irrelevant, which is proven by the charts above.

An NFL IQ test does not determine how the player will perform on the field. If you are interested in your IQ, check out our IQ test.

However, there is an argument that this NFL test served as a decent quarterback test. Cognitive ability may be more important for quarterbacks than any other position, as they must memorize opposing defensive players and multiple strategies, all while knowing and executing their own offensive plan.

The NFL Wonderlic test is as much about thinking quickly as it is about problem-solving, so it may not have been unreasonable to ask potential quarterbacks to take the exam.

Over the past eight-plus decades, the Wonderlic test has, despite its controversy within the NFL, revealed itself to be an effective assessment tool to evaluate potential job candidates, and is still used by organizations, government agencies, and businesses worldwide.

Testing potential employees with this exam has been proven to:

  • Increase employee productivity
  • Increase employee satisfaction
  • Reduce employee retention rates (turnover)

The Wonderlic is categorized within the subclasses of Organization & Industrial Psychology, and is supported by the American Psychological Association (APA). When used for the right purposes, the Wonderlic can be an excellent predictor of how employees will perform.

How Do I Prepare for the Wonderlic?

If you are being asked by a potential employer to take a Wonderlic exam, don’t panic! The Wonderlic is not a test of your self-worth or value – it’s only an assessment of problem-solving skills under pressure.

That being said, proper preparation is key to go in with confidence. You can use a Wonderlic prep course to prepare. It includes:

  • 6 Full-Length Exams
  • In-Depth Study Guides
  • No Ads
  • 100% Pass Guarantee
  • Starting at $39.99

With each practice exam, you will find yourself becoming more comfortable with the questions. You can use our study guides to learn how to solve every type of question.

Frequently Asked Questions

Morris Claiborne, first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys, scored the lowest on the NFL test with a total score of 4.

Tom Brady reportedly scored a 33 on the Wonderlic test, an above-average score both overall and for a quarterback.

Patrick Mahomes scored a 24 on the NFL Wonderlic test before becoming one of the top quarterbacks in the 2017 draft for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The NFL used the Wonderlic from 1970 until January of 2022 when it was eliminated from the draft process.

Dave Evangelisti
Dave is our founder and CEO. He has 20+ years of experience in the testing and test prep industry.