A person's IQ score or intelligence quotient is generally accepted as a metric by which their relative intelligence is measured. Theoretically, IQ measures a person's intelligence by checking how well they process and recall information and can solve problems.
While it may or may not be a definitive determiner of success, IQ is excellent for helping to understand a person’s cognitive abilities.
IQ tests are used for various purposes, all of which revolve around assessing cognitive abilities. They can be used by educators to identify students' strengths and weaknesses and to identify giftedness in children. Recruiters in certain industries also use IQ scores to determine job fits. In some cases, the sheer excitement can also be beneficial for people who have lost their drive, as getting focused on such a simple goal can help bring one out of a rut.
Anyway, the purpose of this article is not to discuss all of that.
Rather, we will consider some of the most common questions about taking an IQ test. Should you get your IQ tested? Can you study for taking an IQ test, or prepare in some other way? If you can, how would that even work?
Well, read on to learn how to know your IQ or how to take an IQ test.
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Understanding IQ Tests
IQ tests are typically developed by psychologists with similar but different methodologies and with varying use cases in mind. Some of the most popular IQ tests include:
- Stanford-Binet IQ Test
- Raven’s Progressive Matrices
- Woodcock-Johnson Cognitive Ability Test
- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
- Peabody Individual Achievement Test
- Cognitive Reflection Test (just 3 questions)
Elements of IQ tests
An IQ test examines intelligence on different levels. As you know, human intelligence is multi-faceted and can interact with varying forms of information. The various elements of an IQ test are designed to measure a person’s ability to interact with each of these specific forms.
Here are elements of most standardized IQ tests:
1. Verbal Comprehension
Verbal communication takes up a significant portion of human brain activity as it is what we do the most daily (for most people, anyway). Plus, it is vital for success in work, school, and even relationships with other people, which is why it is such a key intelligence test. Anyone with at least an average intelligence quotient should have a decent grasp of verbal communication.
So, this segment of online IQ tests seeks to examine a person’s command of vocabulary and their capacity to learn and deploy verbal skills for problem-solving. This portion of IQ tests would typically include proverbs, analogies, antonyms, synonyms, etc.
2. Mathematical Skills
After verbal communication, mathematics is another thing most people do daily. We calculate costs, change, and tips at the grocers, calculate taxes and personal finances, or even balance budgets at work. Hence, it is another key intelligence factor in which anyone with an average intelligence quotient should be sufficiently versed.
The math portion of online IQ tests examines a person's ability to interact with and perform mathematical computations. Questions here would include series problems, puzzles, etc.
3. Spatial Awareness
The spatial awareness part of the IQ test measures a person’s ability to interpret the relationship between multiple objects. They are typically 3D images that you rotate or rearrange to find patterns.
Essentially, this segment of online IQ tests measures your ability to discover patterns and find solutions in new environments. The questions here would be object assembly, matrix reasoning, picture arrangement, block design, etc.
4. Logical Reasoning
As the name implies, the logical reasoning segment of the intelligence quotient measures a person's ability to use logic and deductive reasoning. This is another crucial element of any IQ test. A solid logical reasoning capacity is key to navigating everything from personal relationships to work tasks, and it can be vital to achieving personal success.
Can You Prepare for IQ Tests?
This is a rather tricky question, as an IQ test differs from academic examinations for which you must go to classes and study. Rather, it is meant to test your intelligence, not your knowledge of a specific subject matter. For example, hardly any textbooks explain how to understand images in the spatial reasoning portion of online IQ tests.
However, it is possible to prepare for IQ tests, at least for some parts. This preparation may be vital when IQ test results would be consequential in educational placement tests or job applications.
4 Tips to Prepare for an IQ Test
So, now that we have gone through all the basic stuff let’s discuss how to get the most out of that IQ test.
1. Practice, Practice, Practice
Have you ever heard the old aphorism: “Practice makes perfect”? It holds even for online IQ tests. A practice test may put you in place to get a higher IQ score. It'll also help if you're sufficiently familiar with the types of questions beforehand.
So, when you finally take your official IQ test, there will be fewer surprises than if you didn't practice. Many free IQ tests online give you a rough idea of what standard IQ tests look like. You can practice IQ tests with these to get a feel for the experience.
2. Do Mental Exercises
The brain is just like a muscle — you can train it to become stronger and capable of more. If you want a higher-than-average score, brain exercises could help. Exercising your brain involves stimulating activities like sudoku, crosswords, or logic games. You can even try learning a new language or picking up a new hobby. All these activities will get your brain fired up and put you in pole position to get a better score on the IQ test.
3. Practice Time Management
Questions on online IQ tests are usually timed. It isn’t enough that you know how to solve the problems; you also need to be able to figure them out within the allotted time. So, when you want to practice with free IQ tests online, practicing them with a timer would be great.
The best approach is to decide on strategies for each type of question, which you can then deploy with the individual questions rather than structuring your thinking afresh every time.
4. Eat Right
Some foods are referred to as brain food, and rightly so, as these foods provide the best nutrients for brain health. They are typically nuts, salmon, beans, blueberries, lean red meat, leafy greens, avocados, tomatoes, etcetera. These foods, among other things, will help keep your brain young.
On the other hand, you should avoid processed foods and soda as much as possible, especially on the days leading up to and on the day of the big test. Also, don't eat heavy portions, as these can overload your body with unneeded calories that would only slow you down.
What About Free Online IQ Tests?
As we mentioned earlier, many types of official IQ tests are out there. But, if you go on Google to search "How to take a IQ test," you will likely find a bunch of sketchy websites offering "accredited" online IQ tests, even when they really aren’t.
If you do the free IQ test on these websites, chances are that whatever IQ score you get would be wide off the mark. Also, these results may not be acceptable everywhere.
BrainManager offers good practice tests as well as a wealth of resources to help you improve your cognitive health and potentially raise your IQ score. Our short online IQ test is a great way to get a feel for what it's like to have your IQ tested — or to satisfy your curiosity with a general estimate of your IQ score. We also have a more comprehensive IQ test available soon in the member's area.
Fun Fact: We originally started with the longer, more detailed IQ test but discovered that the majority of test-takers never finished. We learned that most people looking for "how can I learn my IQ" and similar searches wanted a short IQ test just for fun. That's why we switched to starting with the quick online IQ test.
However, if you want to take an IQ test with universal acceptance and get a more accurate IQ score, we recommend the Mensa test (note that it's neither free nor quick). Mensa is a highly respected global organization for people with an IQ test score in the 98th percentile or higher on standardized IQ tests (you might even call them geniuses). These people typically have incredible IQ scores — maybe even higher than Albert Einstein's and Elon Musk's.
You should note that the Mensa test is not a specific type of IQ test; they use standardized official IQ tests like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale or Stanford-Binet tests.
The Mensa IQ tests have two stages. The preliminary stage consists of online tests. After that, if you get an IQ score higher than the average IQ score and high enough to be considered elite, you would be invited to a set location to take a second set of IQ tests in person.
Don't Stress Out Over Taking IQ Tests
IQ tests are just what they are — assessments to determine IQ scores — as it's impossible to capture the full picture of human intelligence. So, if you do need to take the tests, treat them just that way. It will not help if you work yourself up so much that you stress out just for high IQ scores. Stress has been shown to have a negative impact on cognitive functioning and IQ!
They are just another set of tests, similar to the many that you have passed in high school and college or even postgraduate school, depending on the level of education that you have obtained. In fact, theorists like Howard Gardner minimize the importance of traditional IQ tests in favor of a "multiple types of intelligence" approach.
So, study, prepare with an online IQ test service, practice mindfulness meditation, get your mind right, build resilience, eat fruits, drink water, and take breaks when necessary. You will be surprised by how much you can get your brain to do once you unlock its full potential.
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