Intelligence scores dismal, approaching zero, skew (7)
I believe the answer is:
oblique
'skew' is the definition.
('oblique' can be a synonym of 'skew')
'intelligence scores dismal approaching zero' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'intelligence' could be 'iq' and 'iq' is found within the answer.
'dismal' could be 'blue' (I've seen this before) and 'blue' is found in the leftover letters.
'zero' could be 'o' and 'o' is found in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for oblique that I've seen before include "Backhanded" , "Angled" , "Slanting, indirect" , "Indirect - devious" , "Slanted" .)