IQ and IQ Tests

1. What is IQ?

IQ (Intelligence Quotient) is a measure of a person's level of intelligence compared to that of the average person. Studies show that IQ levels correlate directly with grades and performance in school, success in science, and job performance. Also, studies have found a strong correlation between intelligence quotient and a person's level of income.

2. What is an IQ test?

The IQ test is a set of questions with increasing difficulty, aimed at assessing a person's level of intelligence. Questions reflect different areas of human thinking: logical and spatial thinking, the ability to compare and summarize the facts presented, arithmetic, working memory, etc.

The first attempt to create a standardized test for assessing intelligence was made in 1882 by the famous English researcher Francis Galton. Also, the French psychologist Alfred Bonet is known for his work in this area. In 1905, together with his colleagues, he developed the first practical psychological test for diagnosing children with mental retardation.

Since that time, many psychologists have developed their own versions of the test to assess a person's mental development. IQ tests, according to research, have proven to be the most accurate way of assessing a person's intelligence.

3. What does the IQ test measure?

The IQ test does not measure a person's general knowledge and erudition. The IQ test assesses a person's ability to solve analytical and logical problems.

Currently, psychologists distinguish several types of intelligence - emotional, social, musical, etc. IQ tests assess the logical-mathematical and visual-spatial types of intelligence.

4. How is IQ assessed?

The number of correct answers is compared with the results of other respondents in the corresponding age group. Based on this comparison, the IQ score is derived. The average IQ score is 100. Accordingly, your IQ indicates the extent to which your level of intelligence differs from the statistical average.

5. Can the IQ increase?

In general, educational and training activities have a short-term effect on increasing IQ levels. Long-term effects are not detected in most cases. However, recent research shows that training the use of a person's working memory can help to increase intelligence quotient.