What Does a State IQ Estimate Measure?
The Pesta 2022 values are published research composites built from NAEP and PIAAC—not statewide IQ tests.
QuestionCan a map of state estimates be read as average tested IQ?
Use the published label
Each map value is labeled 'Pesta 2022 published state IQ estimate' and carries the paper's M=100, SD=15 scale.
Inspect the component assessments
PIAAC covers adult literacy and numeracy; NAEP covers grade 4 and 8 reading and mathematics. Neither is a census of IQ tests.
Keep state and person levels separate
A state aggregate cannot describe a resident, explain a difference, or establish a causal effect.
What the evidence supports
No. The published values are derived ecological estimates. They are useful only with their construction, populations, uncertainty, and limitations visible.
Sources used in this investigation
peer-reviewed researchUpdated IQ and Well-Being Scores for the 50 U.S. StatesJournal of Intelligence (MDPI) · 2022official datasetNAEP Data Explorer: 2024 Reading and MathematicsNational Center for Education Statistics · 2024official datasetU.S. PIAAC Skills Map: State and County EstimatesNational Center for Education Statistics · 2020