Identify the IQ range of moderate level of intellectual disability:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → IQs 35-40 to approximately 50-55

Option (1) IQs below 20-25 — Incorrect. This is profound disability; such persons cannot manage life and need constant care for their entire lives.

Option (2) IQs 20-25 to approximately 35-40 — Incorrect. This is severe disability; these persons too are incapable of managing life on their own.

Option (3) IQs 35-40 to approximately 50-55 — Correct. This is moderate disability. These people lag behind their peers in language and motor skills, but can be trained in self-care skills and simple social and communication skills, and need a moderate degree of supervision.

Option (4) IQs 55 to approximately 70 — Incorrect. This is mild disability; development is slower than that of peers, but these people can function quite independently, hold jobs and have families.

NCERT (2025-26): “Intellectual Deficiency … The different levels of intellectual disability are: mild (IQs 55 to approximately 70), moderate (IQs 35–40 to approximately 50– 55), severe (IQs 20–25 to approximately 35–40), and profound (IQs below 20–25). Although the development of people with mild disability is typically slower than that of their peers, they can function quite independently, hold jobs and families. As the level of disability increases, the difficulties are strongly marked. The people with moderate disability lag behind their peers in language and motor skills. They can be trained in self-care skills, and simple social and communication skills. They need to have moderate degree of supervision in everyday tasks. Individuals with profound and severe disability are incapable of managing life and need constant care for their entire lives.…”