For most teams, the Wonderlic is simply a tool to gauge how well a player will absorb the playbook. If it's low, you better find out why it's low, and if the guy is a good football player, you better satisfy your curiosity. We don't view that as a detriment.'' Wonderlic, Inc., began in 1937 as a consultant to employers on hiring, training and promotion practices. The personnel test, developed by Charlie Wonderlic's grandfather, has been the staple of its existence, having been administered to more than 100 million people since its inception. The NFL is just one of 40,000 clients who use the test annually.
Median scores differ greatly from occupation to occupation.
Employers are made aware of these figures so they can decide whether a prospective employee is right for the job. According to Charlie Wonderlic, the average score for football players is about 22, which is representative of the norm for the general public. A score of 22 represents an IQ of about 100, Wonderlic said. Recent data has shown the median scores for attorneys are 29, teachers and newspaper reporters 28, receptionists 21, mechanics 19 and assembly workers 16. Much has been made about Wonderlic scores over the years, but there is no evidence that it is the deciding factor in whether a player can survive the mental rigors of professional football.