All About IQ Testing

Intellectual quotient tests, or IQ tests, are commonly used to measure intellectual capabilities and diagnose potential deficiencies that make it difficult to process information.

How Did IQ Testing Begin?

Thanks to the diligent work of French psychologist Alfred Binet, the first intelligence test prototype was developed in the early 1900s. Henry Goddard took this early version of the test and created the backdrop for many of the intelligence tests taken today to assess intellectual function and mental health concerns.

Types of IQ Tests Administered

The most common types of IQ tests are:

• Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale

• Differential Ability Scales

• Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test

• Wechsler Individual Achievement Test

• Peabody Individual Achievement Test

• Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

• Woodcock Johnson III Test For Cognitive Disabilities

Knowing what needs to be assessed will often determine which test will best measure needed data.

IQ Results: What Do They Mean?

According to data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, nearly 85 percent of children who are identified as intellectually disabled achieve IQ scores between 55 and 70. The average IQ score for an individual is around 100.

IQ Scores Simplified

In general, the higher the IQ score, the more intelligent a person is. A general IQ scale of measured intelligence is as follows:

• 140+--Genius

• 120-139--Superior intelligence, with computational skills more efficient than most

• 110-119--Excellent cognitive potential, above average intelligence

• 90-109--Normal or average intelligence, average computational skillst

• 80-89--Below average intelligence. May struggle.

• Below 80--Well below average; struggles with most intellectual and computational skills

How Does Human Intelligence Vary By Country?

In many instances, IQ measurement and access to quality education go hand in hand. Countries that value education and set it as a priority for their citizens tend to do better on test scores than those who do not prioritize education and literacy. According to data from World Population Review as of 2022, the top ten countries with the highest average IQ scores included:

• Japan--106.48

• Taiwan--106.47

• Singapore--105.89

• Hong Kong--105.37

• China--104.1

• South Korea--102.35

• Belarus--101.6

• Finland--101.2

• liechtenstein--101.07

• Germany--100.74

Where Can I Take an IQ Test?

IQ scores are not the only measure of intelligence or potential that must be considered when assessing an individual. Some of these tests are inaccessible to many families, and few public schools use them to determine intellectual potential. All of these factors can lead to missed opportunities for assessment during formative years when intervention is necessary. If you're wondering where to take an IQ test, there are plenty of options available to you.

A number of online IQ testing resources exist if one wishes to obtain a baseline score of intelligence, but this should not be where assessment stops, thinking that potential has been reached. Many scientists and researchers have now begun to look at brain development and health as markers for intellectual potential as well.

Does brain size affect intellectual potential and intelligence? While many signs point to this as an indicator of potential, the fact of the matter is that learning is a lifelong process, and IQ potential is a fluid process that changes with time, experience, and education.

If you are considering IQ testing, remember not to define yourself solely by your given score, but by the process by which you continue to learn and develop new skills and abilities.