Types of IQ Tests for Measuring Cognitive Abilities: Guide to the Most Popular IQ Tests

IQ tests are among the most widely used tools for measuring cognitive abilities and quantifying intellectual capabilities with a standardized score. These tests evaluate various cognitive functions, including reasoning, problem-solving, memory, and more. They offer a snapshot of an individual’s mental strengths and cognitive health and how they compare to others.

However, with so many types of IQ tests available, it is essential to understand their differences to choose the right one for your needs. 

Some tests, like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), are ideal for adults and measure verbal and non-verbal skills. Others, such as the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, are versatile across age groups. Tests like the Raven’s Progressive Matrices are designed to minimize cultural biases, making them suitable for diverse populations.

So, how do you decide which IQ test is best for you? Are certain tests more suitable for specific purposes or populations?

The key lies in understanding the cognitive abilities each test focuses on and the context in which it is most effective. This article will explore the different types of IQ tests based on these criteria, helping you identify the most popular and reliable options for measuring cognitive abilities. Additionally, we will discuss what makes these tests popular among different niches or professions (including Mensa testing) and whether online IQ tests are a viable option for accurately gauging intellectual talents.

By the end of this article, you will understand the most popular IQ tests and the best IQ test options for adults, children, or culturally diverse groups. This will empower you to make an informed choice that aligns with your specific needs.

You May Also Like: Discover the History of the IQ Test: The Evolution and Impact of Intelligence Testing

Verbal or Non-Verbal IQ Test: 2 Broad Types of IQ Tests

As we said before, several categorizations of types of IQ tests can be developed. We could classify them by cognitive abilities assessed, target population, format of administration, purpose, theoretical or methodological assumptions in their bases, and several more criteria.

In this article, we decided to clarify things and classify intelligence tests based on the cognitive abilities they measure. Specifically, we differentiate between verbal and non-verbal intelligence tests. We explain both categories of IQ testing, which standardized tests fall under the type, and who they might be popular with.

However, we will also touch on how each test would be categorized within other possible classifications of the types of IQ tests. In that way, you will finish reading this article knowing what the most reliable intelligence tests look like, who they are best for, and among whom they are most popular.

As we explore the various types of IQ tests, it’s important to keep this in mind: While these tests differ in their approaches, they all share the underlying assumption that intelligence and cognitive abilities can be quantified into a single 'objective' number—an Intelligence Quotient (IQ).

However, many theorists, such as Gardner (Theory of Multiple Intelligences), Cattell (Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence Theory), and Sternberg (Triarchic Theory), argue that intelligence is far more complex and cannot be fully captured by a single score.

Verbal (or Mixed) IQ Tests

Verbal IQ tests primarily assess cognitive abilities related to language, reasoning, memory, and verbal comprehension. The instructions are given in words, and the response is provided verbally.  They often involve tasks related to vocabulary, reading comprehension, and verbal analogies.

Although many intelligence tests have several subscales, some verbal and some non-verbal, we will classify the types of IQ tests based on whether they are predominantly verbal or not.

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) is among psychologists and educators’ most widely used intelligence tests for its detailed cognitive profile. WAIS is a comprehensive test consisting of verbal and non-verbal subtests. As such, the test measures various mental functions. The WAIS is intended to be used on adults (over 16 years of age). It is very popular in clinical, educational, and research settings.

The WAIS is an individual test of intelligence. This means a trained professional administers it in a one-on-one setting.

Its purpose is multifaceted, especially with the new subscales added in its fifth edition. It can be used for educational assessment but also to assist in a clinical diagnosis and neuropsychological evaluation. Interestingly and unexpectedly to many laypeople, certain psychiatric conditions are associated with specific profiles on the WAIS subscales.

Moreover, researchers use it to assess cognitive function in various populations.

The WAIS's theoretical and methodological assumptions are based on David Wechsler’s view of intelligence as a global ability composed of different interrelated functions. He believed that intelligence is influenced by cultural, educational, and socioeconomic factors, which was not a standard point of view then. This theoretical position is why the WAIS was designed to measure a broad range of cognitive skills rather than a single general intelligence factor.

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)

Similarly, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) measures a broad range of cognitive abilities, including verbal reasoning and comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. It is suited for children aged 6 to 16 years and 11 months. As such, it is highly popular in schools for identifying learning disabilities and cognitive strengths.

The WISC is widely used in educational and clinical settings to assess children’s cognitive abilities within this age range. It can help identify learning disabilities, giftedness, cognitive strengths and weaknesses, and assess the impact of brain injuries.

If a clinical diagnosis is established, a clinical psychologist might administer it to further explore conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and intellectual disabilities. It is also used in research to explore the relationship between intellectual abilities and a variety of other phenomena.

Like the WAIS, the WISC is an individual test administered one-on-one by a trained psychologist or professional.

Similarly, WISC is based on the same theoretical assumption as the WAIS and measures different cognitive factors.

Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales (5th Edition)

Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales is the American adaptation of the original French Binet-Simon intelligence test created by a French psychologist Binet and Simon, a psychiatrist. It is a comprehensive tool that evaluates multiple cognitive areas, including verbal reasoning. It is suited for takers across a wide age range, from young children (age two) to adults (over 85). It is most popular among educational psychologists but is also used in clinical psychology because of its versatility.

Like WAIS and WISC, a professional administers the Stanford Binet intelligence test in a controlled setting.

The test is constructed based on an explicit theoretical framework, specifically the Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory of cognitive abilities. Based on this theory, intelligence consists of general intelligence (g factor) and specific cognitive skills (s factors; e.g., fluid reasoning, knowledge, quantitative reasoning).

Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities

Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities is another comprehensive intelligence test measuring a variety of cognitive abilities, including language-based skills. It is best suited to children (from 2 years of age) and adolescents, particularly in diagnosing learning disabilities. As such, it is most popular in educational settings or in neuropsychological evaluations.

It is an individual test that a trained professional needs to administer to the child or the young person.

Drawing on the Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory, the test provides a comprehensive assessment across multiple cognitive domains, including fluid reasoning, comprehension knowledge, and processing speed. In designing it, the authors focused on tackling the concerns about the existing batteries at the time.

Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT)

Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT) is a quick, efficient assessment of fluid and crystallized intelligence in children and adults (ages 4-90). It is best suited for brief cognitive assessments because it takes only 20 minutes. Although it may not be as popular as WAIS, WISC, and Stanford-Bines scales, the KBIT is commonly used in clinical and educational settings for preliminary screening.

The KBIT is an individual test administered in a one-on-one setting. The professional also manually scores the results.

This test is primarily used for educational assessments, identification of learning disabilities, and for planning interventions. It is also employed in research related to child development, mostly because of its easy and quick administration.

KBIT is founded on a theoretical framework of sequential and simultaneous information processing, Luria’s neuropsychological theory, and the Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory of intelligence, which secure a holistic approach to understanding cognitive processes and their development.

Non-Verbal IQ Tests

Non-verbal types of IQ tests are designed to measure cognitive abilities without relying on language or language skills. As such, they are ideal for individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. They are often used to ensure a culture-fair assessment of intelligence. Moreover, non-verbal intelligence tests are perfect for individuals with speech or hearing impairments.

These tests assess abstract reasoning, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills using visual puzzles, patterns, and sequences.

By focusing on non-verbal content, these tests often provide a more inclusive evaluation of cognitive potential. This approach allows for a more accurate assessment of intelligence across different populations and age groups.

Raven’s Progressive Matrices

Among the most popular non-verbal IQ tests are Raven’s Progressive matrices, designed to assess abstract reasoning and fluid intelligence in children and adults. It is a test best suited for individuals of any age or cultural background where language bias needs to be minimized. In other words, unlike verbal intelligence tests, Raven’s Progressive Matrices are particularly popular among non-native speakers and individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds due to their non-verbal format.

This test can be administered individually or in groups. It is available in paper-and-pencil or digital format and involves purely nonverbal pattern recognition tasks.

This type of IQ test is usually used in educational settings, employment screenings, and cultural fairness assessments. It is based on the assumption that abstract reasoning and pattern recognition are core components of general intelligence (g), independent of cultural and linguistic influences.

Cattell Culture Fair Intelligence Test

The Cattell Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CFIT) is an IQ test designed to minimize cultural and linguistic biases and measure various cognitive abilities. It is best suited for individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, where language and cultural biases must be minimized.

Given that countries scoring lower on traditional IQ tests may be impacted by cultural and linguistic barriers, the CFIT offers a more equitable approach by assessing cognitive potential in a way that reduces these biases. This makes it a valuable tool for researchers and psychologists working within culturally diverse settings, as it aims to measure fluid intelligence independently of the cultural influences that might skew results on conventional IQ tests.

The CFIT is a non-verbal measure of fluid intelligence fit for children over four years old and adults. Its non-verbal structure makes it culturally unbiased and fair for individuals from diverse backgrounds. It has seven subscales that make it not only comprehensive but also engaging. The CFIT is typically a group test but can also be administered individually. It can be found in a paper-and-pencil form or as a digital test.

This test is based on Raymond Cattell’s theory of fluid and crystallized intelligence. It focuses on fluid intelligence, which involves the ability to solve new problems independently of acquired knowledge. In a way, you can think of fluid intelligence as something you were mostly born with. In contrast, crystallized intelligence is based on acquired skills, knowledge, and experiences. 

Wechsler Nonverbal Scale of Ability (WNV)

The Wechsler Nonverbal Scale of Ability (WNV) was created for non-verbal assessment, measuring cognitive abilities without relying on language. It is best for children and adolescents with impaired verbal communication skills or limited English proficiency who cannot perform well on traditional verbal IQ tests. It is popular among school and clinical psychologists who assess the intelligence of children and youth who do not speak English or Spanish.

The WNV is designed for children and adolescents aged 4 to 21 years and 11 months. Although its use is not limited to those with hearing or speech impairments, it is invaluable in the population with limited verbal understanding or expression.

It has two forms: a whole battery of tests or an abbreviated 20-minute-long version.

The WNV is an individual test administered by a trained professional. It involves non-verbal tasks that are presented visually, such as picture completion and matrices, to assess cognitive abilities without the need for verbal responses. The test can be conducted using paper-and-pencil or digital formats.

The test is grounded in the Wechsler tradition of evaluating multiple facets of cognitive ability to comprehensively understand an individual’s intellectual capabilities. It focuses on non-verbal reasoning as a core component of general intelligence (g).

Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test (UNIT)

The Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test (UNIT) is another popular test within the non-verbal types of IQ tests designed to assess cognitive abilities entirely without the use of language. Like other non-verbal intelligence tests, it is best suited to measure the intelligence of individuals with speech, language, or hearing impairments or those from culturally diverse backgrounds where language-based assessments may be less effective. The UNIT is popular among educators and psychologists who require a reliable non-verbal measure of intelligence for diverse or non-verbal populations.

The UNIT is designed for children and young people between five and 22 years of age (21 years and 11 months, to be precise).

It is an individual test a professional administers without using spoken or written language, utilizing gestures and visual stimuli.

The theoretical and methodological assumptions on which this test was developed propose that intelligence can be effectively measured without language, focusing on abstract reasoning and problem-solving abilities.

Online IQ Testing

Online IQ tests are digital assessments designed to measure one’s intellectual ability through various types of IQ test questions that can be completed from any location with internet access. These online IQ tests are best suited for individuals who want a quick, informal gauge of their IQ score — especially free IQ tests found online.

Also, people who wish to practice different types of IQ test formats before taking a more formal, standardized version to accurately measure their mental ability often prefer online tests. Online IQ tests are popular with a broad audience, including secondary education students, educators, and anyone interested in getting a general idea of their mental abilities without committing to a professional assessment.

Online IQ tests have become a convenient way to measure cognitive abilities and assess intelligence without in-person testing. These tests typically consist of questions designed to evaluate cognitive skills such as verbal comprehension, spatial ability, and perceptual speed. While many free IQ tests are available online, it is essential to note that the validity and reliability of these tests in measuring a person’s intelligence can vary significantly.

Advantages of Online IQ Tests

One of the primary advantages of online IQ tests is their accessibility. They provide a quick and easy way for individuals to gauge their cognitive abilities from the comfort of their own homes. They are available for different age groups and come in various formats of IQ test types.

For those looking to understand their cognitive strengths and weaknesses, these tests can offer valuable insights into areas such as problem-solving, reasoning, and general mental ability. Usually, test-takers receive an intelligence quotient that is an estimate of their true IQ score.

Online IQ testing can also serve as an introduction to more formalized IQ tests, like the Stanford-Binet intelligence test or the Differential Ability Scales (measuring verbal and non-verbal cognitive abilities in children and adolescents aged 2.5 to 17), by familiarizing test-takers with the types of questions and formats used in standardized tests.

Limitations and Considerations of Popular IQ Tests Available Online

Nonetheless, online IQ tests should not be seen as a substitute for reliable, professionally administered IQ tests like the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) or the Peabody Individual Achievement Test (a standardized test that assesses academic skills in reading, mathematics, and spelling).

The accuracy of online tests in providing an accurate measure of a person’s IQ score or intelligence quotient is often limited due to the lack of controlled testing environments and the absence of psychometric validation. For instance, while popular IQ tests such as the Stanford-Binet test and Wechsler scales undergo rigorous standardization to ensure they accurately measure a wide range of test-takers’ cognitive abilities, online tests generally do not meet the same standards.

Moreover, online IQ tests may not account for factors such as a person’s chronological age or mental age, which are critical in accurately determining a person’s IQ test score. Many online platforms do not adjust for differences in test-takers’ demographics, leading to potential biases (showing unsubstantiated high scores or even an intelligence quotient at the level of intellectual disability) in the resulting IQ test scores.

For test-takers seeking to measure intelligence for educational or clinical purposes — such as identifying intellectual disabilities or predicting academic achievement — professionally administered and standardized tests remain the gold standard. For example, the Peabody Individual Achievement Test can provide valuable insights and even somewhat predict academic achievement significantly better than intelligence test scores learned from many online IQ tests.

Mensa Admission Test

The Mensa Admission Test is one of the most popular and well-known IQ tests for assessing human intelligence. It is best suited for adults and adolescents (starting from the age of 14) seeking membership in Mensa, an international high-IQ society. This IQ test is used to identify individuals with exceptionally high intelligence. Specifically, Mensa admissions those who score in the top 2% of the population.  The most brilliant people in the world are Mensa’s members.

The Mensa Admission Test measures general intelligence, or the “g” factor. It aims to provide a reliable assessment of a person’s intellectual potential (an average score, in a way) rather than a detailed breakdown of their IQ score.

Mensa does not use a special, proprietary IQ test. Instead, it relies on existing standardized IQ tests to assess candidates’ cognitive ability and determine if their IQ scores reveal they are more intelligent than 98% of the population. The organization may also accept earlier IQ test scores from an IQ testing you took before applying for membership. Therefore, the same test you took on another occasion could serve to receive membership and a testament to your superior cognitive ability. All you need is proof of your IQ scores received through different IQ tests like the ones we discussed in this article.

Still, suppose you are yet to undergo Mensa IQ testing. In that case, you will be required to achieve a specific test score corresponding to an intelligence quotient (IQ) in the top 2%, which significantly exceeds the average score range for general IQ tests.

Test takers receive the format designed to accommodate their age group. Psychometric testing principles are strictly enacted to ensure accuracy in measuring intelligence. Although IQ measured by Mensa serves a specific purpose and is not a substitute for other detailed IQ testing methods, the Mensa Admission Test is a popular choice for those aiming to gain formal recognition of their high IQ and cognitive ability.

Understanding Your IQ Test Scores

Different IQ tests measure various cognitive abilities that all contribute to the complex tapestry of human intelligence. The test scores you receive from different types of IQ tests can reveal different aspects of how your mind works. Our understanding of intelligence and ranges of IQ scores evolved over time.

For example, the Binet-Simone test, created by a French psychologist and psychiatrist, calculated IQ based on a concept known as mental age (the age level at which an individual is functioning intellectually). The mental age is then compared to the individual’s chronological age to determine an IQ score. Although modern IQ tests now use more sophisticated scoring systems, understanding the historical context of IQ scores and IQ testing helps illuminate how intelligence measurement has evolved.

Different types of IQ tests are also suited to different purposes, populations, and contexts. In other words, they measure different types of IQ.

Traditional standardized IQ tests provide comprehensive test scores, making them ideal for clinical, educational, and research settings. These tests are meticulously designed to offer a valid and reliable measure of a person’s intellectual potential. They can detect intellectual disability or determine if a person’s IQ test score is an average score in their age group or their IQ score might qualify them for Mensa membership.

On the other hand, online IQ tests may be best suited for individuals seeking a general understanding of their cognitive ability without needing a formal assessment. While these tests offer the convenience of immediate results and can provide some insight into your cognitive strengths and weaknesses, the IQ scores received that way should not be considered a replacement for professionally administered IQ tests. The accuracy and reliability of online IQ test scores can vary significantly due to the lack of controlled environments and standardized validation processes.

Whether you are looking to understand your cognitive abilities and different types of IQ, apply for Mensa membership, or assess the intellectual potential of a child or adult for educational or clinical purposes, it is crucial to choose the right IQ test that aligns with your specific needs.  

By understanding the differences between various IQ tests and their intended uses, you can decide on the best approach to measuring intellectual abilities. This knowledge will help ensure that you select the most suitable tests to achieve your objectives, whether for self-assessment, academic evaluation, or professional purposes.