What is NCIS's IQ Score?

NCIS has an IQ Score of 114/200 on TV Intelligentsia's Intelligence Quotient framework, placing it in the Competent tier. The score breaks down to 29/50 Cognitive Stimulation, 22/50 Educational Value, and 37/50 Craft & Quality.

NCIS is low on educational value, 22/50 on TVI's rubric. Watch for entertainment, not for learning.

How does TV Intelligentsia calculate IQ Score?

TV Intelligentsia's IQ Score is calculated as round((Cognitive Stimulation × 0.4 + Educational Value × 0.35 + Craft & Quality × 0.25) × 4), scoring titles from 0 to 200 across five tiers: Masterclass (≥160), Stimulating (≥130), Competent (≥100), Passive (≥70), and Numbing (<70). The framework is published at tvintelligentsia.com/methodology/.

NCIS , IQ Score 114/200

NCIS has an IQ Score of 114/200 on TV Intelligentsia's Intelligence Quotient rubric, placing it in the Competent tier.

By Jordan Robinson, MPH·Updated 2026-06-06·Methodology

crimedrama

114/ 200

Competent

Engages without demanding much, watchable and reasonably crafted

Score Breakdown

Cognitive Stimulation/50

Educational Value/50

Craft & Quality/50

IQ = round((Cognitive × 0.4 + Educational × 0.35 + Craft × 0.25) × 4) · How we score →

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Why you should trust this score

Methodology reviewed by Jordan Robinson, MD, MPH

Physician scientist. Master of Public Health, with substantial coursework in research methodology. Reviews the rubric and its application across the adult catalog.

Methodology

Published rubric, v1.2

Formula

round(C × 0.40 + E × 0.35 + Q × 0.25) × 4

Database scale

2,324 titles, version-controlled

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The TVI Take

Long-running CBS procedural following a Naval Criminal Investigative Service team. Formulaic case-of-the-week structure with low cognitive demand, the puzzles resolve cleanly within 42 minutes and the recurring ensemble carries the show more than the writing does.

Some surface-level exposure to military/forensic terminology, but the science and procedure are stylized for pace, not accuracy. Comfort television: predictable, character-driven, easy to drop in and out of.

Where to Watch

Stream