Frequently Asked Questions

What is an AQ score?

The AQ (Athlete Quotient) is a single number from 0 to 100 that measures the complete athlete against Division I benchmarks. It evaluates five dimensions - Athletic, Academic, Leadership, Community, and Recruiting - against Division I benchmarks for your sport and position. Think of it as a credit score for athletics: one honest number that tells you exactly where you stand.

How is the score calculated?

Your AQ places your numbers against our Division I benchmarks for your sport, position, gender and age. The same standard applies to every athlete, and every score records the benchmark version that produced it.

Why do some of my benchmarks say "D1 median" instead of "D1 average"?

Because that rung was measured against real players instead of estimated. Where we have the full Division I player distribution for a metric - basketball shooting percentages are the first - the rungs show you exactly where you sit inside it: the D1 median, the bottom 25%, the top 10%. Where we have not measured the levels below Division I, we will not print a D2 or D3 label on a number nobody measured. A rung that reads "below the measured range" is us being straight with you: it keeps your score on a fair curve without making a claim we cannot back. Benchmarks that still read "D1 average" are our own, and we replace them with measured ones as we get the data.

Measuring real players changed something else worth knowing: position matters more than most people assume. A Division I center makes about 64% of his free throws and a Division I guard makes about 77%. Grading both against one number tells the center he is behind when he is not - so we stopped doing it.

What does my AQ score mean, and how is my level fit decided?

Your level fit is a separate read of where your athletic numbers sit on the ladder today, from D1 Elite to HS varsity.

Can my AQ score change?

Yes - that's the point. Your AQ is a living measure that updates as you develop. Re-take the assessment as you improve, and your AQ history shows your trajectory - are you improving, plateauing, or declining? That trend data is what makes AQ uniquely valuable for long-term development planning.

Is AQ affiliated with the NCAA?

No. Athlete Quotient is an independent company. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the NCAA, NAIA, or any college, university, or athletic association. References to "D1," "D2," etc. refer to competition levels and are used for benchmarking purposes only.

What sports do you support?

We support football, baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, swimming, and track & field - each with position-specific or event-specific benchmarks and evaluation criteria tailored to what college coaches actually look for.

Do you support women's sports?

Yes. Women's basketball, women's soccer, softball, women's volleyball, women's swimming, and women's track & field all run on their own D1 benchmark ladders, and no athlete is ever scored against the opposite gender's physical standards - vertical, broad jump, pro agility, and the 10-yard split all have separate women's values. One exception we would rather name than bury: three of women's soccer's production stats - goals, assists, and passing accuracy - currently sit on the same ladder as the men's, while the conditioning standards are already separate. We are sourcing distinct values for those three, and the benchmark version stamped on your score will show when it lands.

What age groups can use AQ?

Athletes ages 8 and up can use Athlete Quotient. Our recommendations are age-aware across five groups (8-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-17, 18+), so a 10-year-old receives developmentally appropriate guidance that's different from a 17-year-old. For athletes under 13, a parent or guardian must give their name and email, and we email that parent right away with a single link that deletes it all.

Is it free?

Yes - your AQ score is free. The Mirror (free) gives you a real AQ score with all five dimension breakdowns and your level-fit classification. The Playbook - full gap analysis with training recommendations, a weekly training plan built from your gaps, your complete metrics table and radar chart, milestone badges, and your full assessment history - is $9.99 a month.

What does The Playbook add?

The Playbook ($9.99 a month) is our one paid plan: full gap analysis with training recommendations, a weekly training plan and fueling guidance built from your gaps, your full metrics table and radar chart, and your full assessment history with milestone badges.

Is my data safe?

Yes. We never sell your personal information, and every page and form runs over an encrypted connection. Our Privacy Policy explains what we collect, why, and the few providers that help us run AQ.

Is it safe for my child to use?

Yes. We take children's privacy very seriously. For athletes under 13, a parent or guardian must give their name and email, and we email that parent right away with a single link that deletes it all. Children's profiles are never made publicly visible without parental approval. Parents can review, export, or delete their child's data at any time.

How do I get started?

Take the free assessment - no account and no email needed to see your AQ Score. At 13 and up you can save it, and we email the score sheet (to a parent or guardian for ages 13 to 17). Create a free account later with that same email and your numbers come with you.