Lamija Kubat, a high school student from Kakanj, has an Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of 152, according to Mensa testing, which places her among the top two percent of the world’s population. Lamija’s IQ is thus reportedly on par with Bill Gates.
Lamija is a senior at Muhsin Rizvić high school in Kakanj. As a student, she has participated in numerous competitions in mathematics, science, and informatics, winning significant awards. She is at the top of her class—not only at her own high school but across the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Her success and ranking among the top two percent of the world’s most intelligent people are rooted in her self-confidence, hard work, and dedication. Additionally, her loved ones, who are very proud of her, motivate her to continue working and taking on new challenges. She says that her exceptional accomplishments have connected her with other talented students.
Lamija is most interested in subjects like mathematics, science, and informatics, which allow her to solve logical and analytical problems. Her dedication in these fields is not just theoretical—she has demonstrated her extraordinary talent in applying these skills in various competitions.
From Curiosity to Mensa Membership
Lamija’s teachers and mentors have constantly encouraged her to test her abilities. When she found out that the Mensa test was being held in Zenica, she signed up spontaneously, “more out of curiosity than any particular expectation.”
She explained that IQ testing is unique in that it relies exclusively on abstract thinking rather than on previously acquired knowledge.
“The test was demanding because you have a limited time to solve many problems that require recognizing patterns and making logical inferences. There was no opportunity to recheck problems or analyze mistakes. Every decision had to be made at that moment,” explained Lamija.
The testing and assessment were conducted by Mensa, an association that brings together thousands of people whose intelligence quotient falls within the top two percentile of the general population. Mensa was founded in England in 1946 and today has members in over a hundred countries worldwide. Since its inception, Mensa has aimed to identify and advance human intelligence for the benefit of mankind, to encourage research into the nature, characteristics, and uses of intelligence, and to promote stimulating intellectual and social opportunities for its members.
An IQ score of 130 and above is considered high, while scores between 90 and 110 are considered average. Scores of 80-90 are below average, while a result of 70 or below indicates an intellectual deficiency.
In order to qualify for Mensa membership, an individual must pass an IQ test with a minimum score of 133 according to the Bine scale, or 148 according to the Katel scale. When assessing test results, Mensa relies mainly on the Katel scale, which determines IQ of 148, 152 and 156. Only two percent of the global population is able to achieve these scores.
With an IQ of 152, Lamija has become a member of Mensa. She emphasizes that for her, this represents a confirmation of many years of hard work as well as an opportunity to connect with people who share similar interests.
“Mensa membership is a chance for me to connect with people who share the same passion for thinking and learning. Also, it gives me an additional incentive to continue developing my abilities and to use them in the best possible way,” added Lamija.
Innovations Lead to Progress
Lamija plans to continue her education in the IT sector because she deeply believes that technology has the power to create great changes.
“I believe that technology has enormous potential to improve the world. I want to engage in innovations that can solve real problems,” said Lamija.
Her example encourages other young people to believe in themselves, seize the opportunities offered to them without fear of the unknown, and step out of their comfort zone – because this is where the greatest opportunities for personal development lie.
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This text was published with the financial support of the Embassy of Austria in BiH. The content is the sole responsibility of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Embassy of Austria in BiH, Post-Conflict Research Center or Balkan Diskurs.
