The role of IQ in individual differences in real-life problem solving and strategies use was explored. Repeated trials of learning and recall of information from a map were analyzed with high IQ and average IQ Korean students. IQ correlated with the selection and use of strategies in recall. However, the performance and strategic behaviors of low-recall high IQ students and high-recall average IQ students cautions the overgeneralization of the advantage of high IQ in the selection and use of cognitive and metacognitive strategies. The individual's mind set about learning and domain-specific ability needs to be considered as compensatory mechanisms to explain the relationship between IQ and strategies use. (Contains 6 tables.)