Ben Shapiro, the conservative commentator, and public speaker, is known for hosting his own radio and podcast show The Ben Shapiro Show and for writing columns in Newsweek. With his intelligence, he knows just how to push the buttons of people like Greta Thunberg but just how smart is Shapiro?
It’s unknown what Ben Shapiro’s IQ is without any formal tests, but it’s agreed upon that he’s an astute individual, with an IQ that’s likely to be 130-140+. That’s an admirable IQ, considering the average IQ in the US is 97.
Many external factors influence a person’s intelligence and IQ. With that said, let’s take a look at Ben’s earlier years and education to see why his IQ is allegedly that high.
What is IQ?
IQ or intelligence quotient is a score that’s derived from tests designed to assess intelligence. Its abbreviation “IQ” comes from German psychologist William Stern.
An IQ between 90 and 110 is considered average. Anything above that is classified as “superior.” About 68% of the population has an IQ of 85 and 115. The highest IQ recorded by the Guinness World Records is 228.
Early Years
Born in Los Angeles, CA, to Jewish parents who both worked in Hollywood – his mother as a TV executive and his father as a composer, Shapiro almost instantly developed a talent for music and politics and has since been dubbed a “child prodigy” by Spectator USA.
In America, just 2% of the total population identify as being Jewish. It might come as a surprise to you that Ashkenazi Jews (like Ben) have higher IQs than average, standing at 115. In fact, Jews have made up 50% of the top two hundred intellectuals.
When he was young, Shapiro played the piano and violin, performing at the Israel Bonds Banquet in 1996 at twelve years of age.
A study has shown that people who play instruments when they’re young are likely to exhibit better IQs than their peers who don’t play instruments, with science proving that the brains of musical people are “distinctly different” than normal brains.
With regards to Shapiro’s interest in politics, studies suggest that people who possess a higher IQ are likely to be more informed and interested in political affairs. So it’s possible that his interest in politics and his love for musical instruments have played a part in his above-average IQ.
A Harvard Education
Education can affect your IQ, with studies showing that one year of schooling can increase your IQ by two to three points. Shapiro has had a pretty extensive education.
After graduating from the University of California with a degree in political science, Ben pursued a law degree at Harvard, where the acceptance rate is not even 5% and went on to graduate.
The average IQ for Harvard graduates is allegedly 127, but an IQ of 110 is what’ll enable you to succeed with a college education and obtain a college degree.
The fact that Shapiro even got accepted into Harvard says a lot about his previous educational performance; it’s safe to say that he must’ve obtained at least a 4.0 GPA.
Conclusion
Many environmental factors can affect a person’s IQ, with part of your IQ formed based on genetics. Ben is speculated to have an IQ that’s above average, though this is not agreed on universally; it’s clear that his childhood and early years might have influenced his above-average IQ and even his religious affiliations as a Jew could possibly have affected his intelligence.
Though Ben’s actual IQ still remains unknown, it’s evident that he has an advanced intellectual ability, which enables him to succeed in his political career as he’s able to form his own controversial, yet interesting political opinions and relay them to the world.