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- DictionaryIn·tel·li·gence quo·tient/inˈteləj(ə)ns ˈkwōSH(ə)nt/
noun
- 1. a number representing a person's reasoning ability (measured using problem-solving tests) as compared to the statistical norm or average for their age, taken as 100.
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An intelligence quotient (IQ) is a score derived from a standardised test designed to assess human intelligence. Learn about the history, types, and uses of IQ tests, as well as the factors and controversies related to them.
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Feb 12, 2019 · Intelligence quotient (IQ) is a score derived from standardized tests that measure cognitive abilities and intelligence. Learn more about the history, examples, and usage of this term from Merriam-Webster dictionary.
Aug 26, 2024 · IQ is a number that expresses the relative intelligence of a person, based on a test of mental abilities. Learn how IQ was originally calculated, what are the different types of intelligence tests, and how they are used in education and counseling.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Overview
- Types of IQ Tests
- What are they used for?
- Impact of IQ Testing
- How to Interpret Your Score
- Potential Pitfalls of IQ Tests
- What factors can affect my score?
- History of IQ Tests
- Where to get tested
- Keep in Mind
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An IQ test, short for "intelligence quotient", is an assessment that measures a range of cognitive abilities and provides a score that is intended to serve as a measure of an individual's intellectual abilities and potential. IQ tests are among the most administered psychological tests.
That being said, while IQ scores can determine intellectual potential or someone's expected capabilities, it doesn't necessarily mean they're smart. Intelligence comes from so many different emotional and experiential places there is no one test to determine how smart someone is. IQ tests are helpful for some things—like determining disability—and less so for others.
To understand what these scores truly mean, it is essential to look at exactly how these test scores are calculated. Today, many IQ tests are standardized, and scores are derived by comparing individual performance against the norm for people in that age group.
While many tests utilize similar methods to derive their scores, it is also important to note that each IQ test is different. Additionally, scoring methods may not be the same from one test to another.
IQ is a type of standard score that indicates how far above, or how far below, his/her peer group an individual stands in mental ability" according to Mensa International, an organization for people scoring in the top 2% for IQ.
There are several different intelligence tests in existence and their content can vary considerably. Some are used for adults, but many are specifically designed to be administered to children.
Some commonly used intelligence tests include:
•Cognitive Assessment System
•Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children
•Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale
•Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test
IQ tests can be used for a wide range of purposes, including:
•Educational assessment and placement
•Assessment and diagnosis of intellectual disability
•Cognitive research
•Job candidate evaluation
•Assessing cognitive abilities including memory, speed, and attention
IQ can have an impact on different areas of life, including school and work. High scores are often associated with higher achievement in school, while lower scores may be linked to some form of intellectual disability.
The following is a rough breakdown of various IQ score ranges. Some tests present scores differently and with differing interpretations of what those scores might mean.
Intelligence test scores typically follow what is known as a normal distribution, or a bell-shaped curve in which most scores lie near or around the average IQ test score. For example, the majority of scores (about 68%) on the Wechsler IQ tests tend to lie between plus 15 or minus 15 points from the average score of 100.
This means that approximately 68% of people who take this IQ test will score somewhere between 85 and 115. As you look further toward the extreme ends of the distribution, scores tend to become less common.
To understand what your IQ test score really means, it can be helpful to know how these tests are designed and how your score compares to others. Your score on an IQ test can tell you how you compare to others in your peer group regarding:
•Language skills
•Mathematical abilities
•Memory
•Processing speed
•Reasoning abilities
IQ testing has been controversial throughout history for a few reasons, including:
•Discrimination: IQ tests have been used to justify eugenicist movements and discrimination against minority groups and disabled individuals.
•Validity: Not all experts agree on a standard definition of intelligence, so not all IQ tests measure the same things.
•Reliability: There is also the question of how reliable these tests are. Reliable IQ tests should provide consistent results. Put another way, people should score roughly the same each time they take the test.
Many factors can influence IQ and scores can change over time. Some of the factors that can impact a person's IQ test score include:
•Educational access and background
•Nutrition
•Culture
•Environment
•Overall health and medical conditions
French psychologist Alfred Binet was the first to develop a formal test of intelligence and a form of his original IQ test is still in use today as the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test. Later, psychologist Charles Spearman developed a concept of general intelligence, or general mental ability to perform a wide variety of cognitive tasks.
Psychologist Robert Yerkes developed IQ tests for the U.S. Army during World War I to test army recruits. During the 1950s, David Wechsler developed IQ tests for use with children and adults. These tests remain popular today.
If you want to take a formal IQ test, a licensed psychologist can provide this service for you. This mental health professional is trained to administer and supervise IQ tests, also ensuring that the test used is valid and reliable.
Several online sites also offer free IQ tests if you're more interested in knowing how you score but don't need a formal test. When selecting a free IQ test provider, it can be helpful to choose an organization that is reputable in the field of intelligence. For example, Mensa International offers a free online IQ test.
While IQ test scores can reveal information about an individual's abilities in certain domains, it is important to remember that other factors—including such things as adaptive skills, emotional intelligence, and task performance—are also important indicators of an individual's capabilities.
7 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
1.Kaufman A. IQ Testing 101.
2.Mensa International. What is IQ?
3.Stangor C. 10.1 Defining and Measuring Intelligence. Introduction to Psychology. Version 2.1.
IQ test is a measure of intellectual abilities and potential based on a standard score that compares individual performance with a peer group. Learn about the different types of IQ tests, how they are used, how to interpret the scores, and the factors that can influence them.
IQ is the level of intelligence measured by tests and compared to a group average of 100. Learn about the history, meaning, components and types of IQ tests and how they relate to intelligence.
Dec 26, 2023 · IQ is a number that indicates how developed your cognitive abilities are, such as pattern recognition, working memory, logical reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Learn how IQ is measured using standardized tests, what affects your IQ score, and how it relates to success and emotional intelligence.
IQ is a number that measures a person's intelligence based on a standardized test or a ratio of mental age to chronological age. Learn more about the etymology, synonyms, examples, and history of IQ from Merriam-Webster.
