IQ Tests – Purpose, Procedure, and Results

IQ, formally known as ‘Intellectual Quotient’ comes in various forms. Broadly, it has the capacity to measure intellectual disabilities and the intellectual potential one may possess.

IQ tests are among the most commonly conducted psychological tests and their popularity prevails in all fields of life. From Medicine to Army, all of the Institutes use IQ tests to measure the cognitive abilities of the being.

Generally, IQ tests are standardized but few have open-ended questions in order to analyze various personality traits of the candidate. Each test also has a different scoring method that may not be the same as other IQ tests. The most common is: https://iq-global-test.com/

Purpose of IQ Tests

IQ tests are used for a wide range of purposes:

  • Educational enrollment or placement
  •  Various researches measuring cognitive abilities
  •  Job placement
  •   Job performance evaluation
  •   Assessment of intellectual or cognitive disabilities
  •    Assessment of skills such as memory, speed to perform a particular task, and ability to focus.

How to measure IQ

Modern IQ testing originated from the work of psychologist Henry Herbert Goddard. He translated Binet’s French IQ test into English. This test, designed by Alfred Binet, was made to evaluate the intellectual abilities of students in school settings. It served as an effective tool to highlight those students who had mental health problems.

With the success of this test, a wide range of research studies was conducted in this field. A large number of IQ tests were conducted over a period of several years. The main purpose of all the tests designed was to analyze people’s problem-solving ability, reasoning skills, and cognitive skills.

Some of the most commonly used IQ assessments are:

  • Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Kids
  •  Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Grownups
  • Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale
  • Differential Ability Scales 

All these tests are required to be purchased by licensed psychologists. All the tests are different from one another and have several parts. They are normally divided into various subsets.

Each subset measures the different aspects of human personality such as mathematical skills, analytical skills, language ability, memory, speed to process the information given. The results are further combined in a form of a single score that is known as IQ Score.

Results of IQ Tests

The IQ score of 100 is considered a standardized average score. While the research studies have shown that, those students with cognitive and mental disabilities have IQ scores between 55 and 70. They have an average IQ score around 60 to 65, generally not more than that.

High IQ Scores

100 and beyond score is considered as a high IQ score. Those having 100 and above IQ scores are considered highly intelligent people. Whereas those who are considered extraordinarily intelligent have IQ scores of 130 or above.

It is assumed that those having such a high IQ score are smart people with a lot of potentials. They have a lot of mental capacity to solve complex problems and to deal with complicated situations.

Low IQ scores

Individuals having IQ scores below 100 are considered below-average beings. While the score of 70 or below is considered highly low. Such a low score causes a concern that some intervention needs to be done to increase the IQ level.

History has shown that IQ tests have proven to be an effective tool to highlight intellectual disabilities. If a particular child has an extremely low score, he/she must be taken to the doctor.

The doctor then further analyzes the child via blood tests, adaptive skills screening, ultrasound of the brain, and mental health screening.

Screening of parents can also detect intellectual disability in a child even before he or she is born. The mothers having the age above 35 are more likely to have babies with cognitive disabilities. Those who are exposed to excessive drugs usage or alcohol have more chances to deliver babies having an intellectual disability.

In case, intellectual disability is identified at such a young age, doctors or consultants can undergo the required IQ assessment. This may bring the solution at a very early stage.

Drastic Rise in IQ Scores

Since the 1900s, the average IQ score around the world has increased in most parts of the world. This particular phenomenon is known as the “Flynn effect” named after the scientist who discovered it.

He noticed that the same test used by U.S. Military in the 1980s brought better results as compared to the 1950s. After deep research Flynn discovered that the average IQ score around the world is increasing with time. It is increasing at the rate of three points or more per decade.

Scientists and researchers believe that this increase in IQ scores is due to an increase in the ability to think logically. The world is evolving and with every development, humans are developing the capacity to solve their problems in a logical way. It can also be due to an increase in the quality of formal education, better diet, and nutrition, better environment, and vaccinations available.

Concluding Thoughts

IQ tests have come a long way and one thing is for sure that they are here to stay. Usage of IQ tests is involved in nearly all fields of life. These tests are used by Army, Military Personnel, Educational Institutions, Medicine, and the corporate world.

The actual purpose of IQ tests is to measure the intellectual potential one may possess. But over time, these tests have also become highly controversial. Several research studies have claimed that IQ scores solely cannot determine intelligence. There are several other factors that are associated with intelligence and they must be taken into consideration while measuring the intelligence of an individual.

An IQ score probably does not tell the whole story. It just shows a single side. It fails to measure a few broader aspects of a human’s personality such as level of creativity, curiosity an individual may have, and social intelligence.

So, if a person doesn’t have a good IQ score that does not mean he or she will never be able to succeed in life. Success depends on several other factors as well.

6 Things You Need to Rock Your Next Interview

Changing jobs to advance your career or getting your first professional job after college can leave people overwhelmed with anxiety. There are so many things to consider in the process, it’s hard to know where to start. If you’ve been holed up in your house working remotely for the past year and a half, the added stress can make the thought of change even more unbearable. The good thing is that you can walk into your next interview with confidence when you do these things.

Professional Resume

Spruce up your resume. Those Microsoft Office templates might provide a good start, but if you really want to stand out in a sea of applicants, have a professional resume writer offer you suggestions to improve. You’d be surprised at the difference they can make. It’s not just about putting information on paper, it’s about the look and feel of the resume as well. For people in creative industries, the layout can make or break your chances of even getting invited for an interview.

Along with your professional resume, a good cover letter tailored to the job you’re applying for is critical. No “Dear Sir or Madam” greetings will do. Take the time to research the company and the names of the people who you want to get in front of. It’s not as hard as you think to find out who the HR director or Marketing VP is at a company. A good resume and cover letter will set you up for success once you get the interview.

LinkedIn Profile

A lot of companies do some sleuthing online to learn more about potential candidates. A professional photo and complete LinkedIn profile is a great way to stand out. Leverage this powerful social media tool to network, connect with thought leaders, and others in your industry. Share valuable content on occasion to help you stand out when recruiters come looking. With a good first impression online, you’ll be able to rock your interview.

Confidence

Human resources professionals don’t pick the worst candidates, they choose the best. Wear confidence that you were one of the best of all the applicants. You don’t need to feel self-conscious, you can walk with confidence that you have the skills they need and you are one of the best options. Too many professionals think they might not be good enough for a role, but the truth is, if you were selected to interview, you passed the first test.

Clothes

Unfortunately, what you wear matters. You can be the most brilliant mind, but if you walk into an interview looking sloppy and dirty, it’s unlikely you’ll get the job. Wear something stylish but subdued. You don’t want to be distracting, but there is no need to wear outdated pant suits when you can wear a pair of cute bottoms with a simple button-up shirt. Use accessories sparingly, but don’t feel like what you wear must be devoid of fashion.

Preparation

Learn about the company you want to work for. There is no reason you need to walk into a company blind. You can find out gross revenue for the previous year, read annual reports, and check out their social media profiles to discover their voice. Interviews are as much for you as they are for them. Be prepared with good questions about company culture, corporate policies, and job-related questions.

Find out about how they approach advancement, bonuses, and other career building opportunities. You’ll want to discover how supportive they are of further education and families. What is their take on work/life balance? All of these are important ways you can prepare for your interview.

For the technical interviews, you may also experience tests like brainteasers and IQ tests.  You can test you Edgar Allan Poe knowledge here with this fun quiz.

Don’t Share Too Many Personal Details

Your interviewer doesn’t need to know that you were out late drinking last night or any of your personal financial problems. It’s important to keep your interview focused and professional. If they try to dig in to anything that’s outside the scope of the job interview, it’s up to you to redirect the conversation. An interview should be a back and forth, give and take between the parties. But it should not be a juicy tell-all. Hold back on anything related to home, family, or personal life. You don’t want to give the impression that you aren’t planning to be committed to the job.