IQ testing

Shri Rishi Psychiatry  – I.Q. (intelligence quotient) Test Center

I.Q. (intelligence quotient) in general, is an assessment of your ability to think and reason. An IQ score is a standardized way of comparing this ability with the majority of people the same age as you are. A score of 100 means that compared to these people in your general age group that you have basically an average intelligence. Most psychologists would say those scoring in a range of 92 to 110 are of normal intelligence or have an average IQ. The actual IQ score may vary plus or minus five points since it is very difficult to get an IQ score with complete accuracy. Keep in mind, there are many outside factors that may have a negative impact on your score. For instance, if you are not feeling well at the time of taking the test. Or perhaps you are distracted by something on that particular day. These things may affect your score. However, your score on an IQ test will give you a pretty accurate indication of the ability you possess to think, reason and solve problems that can often be critical in many phases of your life.

There are many ways to test IQ but most tests involve a number of problems that must be solved in a set time frame, under supervision. The areas tested include verbal knowledge, perceptual speed, short-term memory, and spatial visualization. The most common standardised IQ test used today is the WAIS which consists of fourteen subtests, seven verbal (Information, Comprehension, Arithmetic, Similarities, Vocabulary, Digit Span, and Letter-Number Sequencing) and seven performance (Digit Symbol-Coding, Picture Completion, Block Design, Matrix Reasoning, Picture Arrangement, Symbol Search, and Object Assembly)

Most tests have both overall scores and individual subtest scores, showing an individual’s different performance in different areas. It is interesting to note, however, that because modern IQ tests are based on a normal distribution bell curve, they are really only designed and valid for a certain IQ range. In other words, they cannot accurately measure IQ’s at the extreme low and high ends. It should also be noted that your IQ score may not be consistent over the course of your lifetime.

The most common types of IQ tests are:

1. Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale
2. Differential Ability Scales
3. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
4. Woodcock Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Disabilities