IQ-What Does It Really Tell Us?
Over the years, you’ve probably heard a lot about IQ tests.
People often refer to their own or someone else’s, sometimes in an attempt to impress, at others to belittle.
But what do those numbers really tell us? And…should you have your child take an IQ test?
In this blog post, I’ll break down what IQ tests are, what the scores mean, and whether or not you should have your child take an IQ test!
What Is an IQ Test?
Before diving into what an IQ score tells us, I’ll explain what an IQ test is!
IQ tests are an assessment of an individual’s cognitive abilities, specifically their aptitude. It is one of a series of measures used as part of a fuller battery of tests.
Once the test is completed, each person receives a score that serves as a measure of their intelligence and potential.
IQ tests are standardized and each person’s score is compared with others of their exact age group to come up with a final number. There are also separate sub-scale scores that look at things like language, working memory, and processing speed.
Many tests use similar methods to derive their scores, but ultimately, each test is different and scoring methods can vary.
Here’s a list of common IQ tests:
◊ Cognitive Assessment System
◊ Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children
◊ Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale
◊ Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test
◊ Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 4th Edition
◊ Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 5th Edition
◊ Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities
Why Do We Use IQ Tests?
If you haven’t taken an IQ test, you might be wondering why people take them.
IQ tests can be used for a wide range of purposes, including educational assessment, diagnosis of intellectual disability, job candidate evaluation, and assessing cognitive abilities after some sort of brain trauma.
Several of the modern intelligence tests focus on the individual’s abilities such as memory, math, spatial perception, and language. Problem solving and memory are important factors in a person’s intelligence, so tests often focus on these skills.
What Do The Numbers Mean?
A person’s IQ score can impact different areas of their life, including school and work. High scores are associated with higher achievements, while low scores can help professionals diagnose an intellectual disability.
To help you understand the numbers, I’ve created a list of what those numbers mean:
130 + is very superior
120 to 129 is superior
110 to 119 is high average
90 to 109 is average
80 to 89 is low average
70 to 79 is borderline intellectual disability
69 and below is intellectual disability
These numbers come from the Wechsler series of IQ tests.
The majority of people who take these tests will score around the average score of 90 to 109.
Test scores alone are not enough to diagnose any sort of disability, but taking an IQ test is a initial good step toward a more complete picture of overall functioning.
Should Your Child Take An IQ Test?
After hearing all about IQ tests, you might be wondering whether or not you should look into having your child tested.
Typically parents seek out IQ tests if their child is showing signs of being intellectually gifted. They also do so when their pupil is having a hard time in school. Combined with testing in other domains (academics, behavioral, social, emotional functioning), a complete picture can be captured, as to allow the parent to have a much better understanding of their child’s strengths and weaknesses and to allow for a path forward toward success.
If you are interested in having an assessment of your child’s intelligence and/or other aspects of functioning, you are encouraged to seek out a neuropsychologist who can assist you.
Also, if your child is having difficulty in a learning environment, you might want to consider looking into whether or not your child has ADHD.
Contact me at welcome@drkoffman.com if you have any questions!