What is the wonderlic test?

The annual test that sometimes produces surprising results, but more often embarrassing ones, has been administered to NFL prospects at the Combine since the 1970s.

While most combine events test physical and on-field abilities, the Wonderlic test assesses players’ cognitive ability. Along with individual interviews, the test best evaluates a players’ intelligence.

There are 50 questions to the Wonderlic test and players are given 12 minutes to complete as many as possible.

Wonderlic staff alone handle the tests on Combine weekend and share the results only with NFL teams, but that doesn’t mean several results aren’t leaked every year.

 

Notable Results - High Scores

Player NFL Team College Score
P/WR Pat McInally Cincinnati Bengals Harvard 50
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick Houston Texans Harvard 48
WR Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions Georgia Tech 41
QB Colin Kaepernick San Francisco 49ers Nevada 38
QB Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts Stanford 37

Notable Results - Low Scores

Player NFL Team College Score
DB Morris Claiborne Dallas Cowboys LSU 4
RB Frank Gore San Francisco 49ers Miami (FL) 6
WR Tavon Austin St. Louis Blues West Virginia 7
QB Terrelle Pryor Kansas City Chiefs Ohio State 7
WR Cordarelle Patterson Minnesota Vikings Tennessee 11

Notable Results - Stars

Player NFL Team College Score
QB Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers California 35
QB Johnny Manziel Cleveland Browns Texas A&M 32
QB Peyton Manning Denver Broncos Tennessee 28
QB Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks Wisconsin 28
CB Richard Sherman Seattle Seahawks Stanford 24

*All scores are from unofficial reports 

Average Score by Position

Position Score Position Score
Quarterback 24 Offensive Guard 23
Running back 16 Centre 25
Fullback 17 Defensive Lineman NA
Wide receiver 17 Linebacker 19
Tight End 22 Cornerback 18
Offensive Tackle 26 Safety 19

 *average scores as of 1984