Psychometric Endorsement Letter for YoungHoon Kim, World’s Highest IQ Record Holder, From Honorary Professor, Queen Mary University of London | DPhil in Computational Statistics, University of Oxford | Accredited Professional Statistician® of American Statistical Association
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing in support of Mr. YoungHoon Kim, whom I have known for nearly a decade through our shared involvement in high-intelligence and academic communities. Over the years, I have consistently found Mr. Kim to be thoughtful, intellectually engaged, and committed to advancing the public understanding of intelligence measurement.
Mr. Kim has achieved top scores on a range of intelligence assessments, including a reported ceiling score of 160 (SD=15) on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), administered by Mr. Son Chang Seok, a nationally licensed Level 1 clinical psychologist in South Korea. He is listed in the World Genius Directory with an estimated IQ of 202 (SD=15), which corresponds to approximately 263 (SD=24) on the Cattell scale.
Additionally, Dr. Kirk Raymond Butt, founder of the Global Genius Registry, has recognized Mr. Kim’s exceptional cognitive performance. Mr. Kim achieved a perfect score on the VNPT-II, a high-range intelligence test developed by Dr. Butt, resulting in an estimated IQ of 210 (SD=15), or 276 (SD=24)—the highest certified IQ ever recorded by the Global Genius Registry. He also achieved a previously reported IQ of 204 (SD=15), or 266 (SD=24), on the GENE Verbal I test developed by Mr. Iakovos Koukas.
While I cannot independently validate the full psychometric methodology or test administration protocols, I can attest to the credibility of the WAIS instrument and to Mr. Son Chang Seok’s professional qualifications as a certified Level 1 clinical psychologist. I also acknowledge Mr. Kim’s longstanding membership in respected high-IQ societies such as Mensa and the Mega Society, and his continued efforts to contribute to the broader discourse on intelligence and cognitive measurement.
Importantly, I have found Mr. Kim to be earnest and sincere in his pursuit of personal and intellectual excellence. My support for him stems not only from the test results he has shared, but also from his character, conduct, and commitment to rigorous standards of thought and communication.
I hope this letter is helpful in contextualizing Mr. Kim’s achievements and the seriousness with which he approaches both his work and his claims.
Sincerely,
Tom Chittenden, PhD, DPhil, PStat, DSPE
Honorary Professor, Queen Mary University of London
Chief Technology Officer, ProFound Therapeutics
Immediate Past President, International Society for Philosophical Enquiry (ISPE)
Alumnus, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health | Oxford University Department of Statistics
Former Lecturer, Boston Children’s Hospital | Harvard Medical School | MIT Department of Biological Engineering
NOTE
Official Statement Regarding the Inaccurate VICE Article on YoungHoon Kim
The Genius Who Never Took an IQ Test: Kim Ung-yong (김웅용) Wikipedia
Exposing the Truth About the Highest IQ
YoungHoon Kim has formally stated that he has no affiliation with Official World Record. He further clarified that, at the time his world’s highest IQ record was officially certified, he was not associated with any organization, including the World Memory Championships. His involvement with such entities occurred only after the official recognition of his abilities. The official press release clearly affirms that his record was recognized at the World Memory Championships in 2024, with his formal appointment taking place in 2025. Mr. Kim has requested that inaccurate or misleading claims to the contrary cease to be circulated.
Under independent scientific standards, the IQ score of 276 (SD24), equivalent to IQ 210 (SD15), attributed to YoungHoon Kim has been recognized as clinically and scientifically valid. According to the peer-reviewed WISC®–V Technical Report # 6: Use of General Ability Index (GAI) and Extended Norms by Raiford et al. (2019), human IQ can officially be measured up to 210 (SD15) using extended norms. This confirms that Kim’s reported score falls within the maximum measurable range supported by standardized psychometric instruments and clinical methodology.
YoungHoon Kim’s world record for the highest IQ has been officially recognized in academic circles, leading to the conferral of three honorary doctorate degrees in the fields of psychology, cognitive science, and education.
Dr. Ronald Hoeflin, founder of Mega Society, founded the cryptocurrency coin company IQ Olympiad Foundation Ltd. However, Younghoon Kim and his organization United Sigma Intelligence Association (USIA) are not affiliated with the IQ Olympiad. Above all, Younghoon Kim does not want to have any relationship with the cryptocurrency coin company operated by Mega Society’s founder, and also YoungHoon Kim opposes Mega Society’s support of an alleged sex offender and extreme racial discrimination through eugenics. Therefore, Younghoon Kim voluntarily resigned from Mega Society in August 2024.
YoungHoon Kim is not the founder of the GIGA Society Professional. The society was founded by the Brain Trust Charity, established by Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Maps.
Note that Paul Cooijmans is not a qualified expert. He does not hold any formal degree related to statistics or psychology, having only claimed a bachelor’s degree in guitar and composition.