IQ Test, Whether Paid or Not, Might Not Be Accurate After All

Last Updated on 2022-09-28 , 2:46 pm

Are you the type that enjoys taking all those quizzes online that helps you “determine” your IQ level?

Well, this article might be an eye opener to you.

For starters, those IQ test which are free aren’t exactly legit. They are not as accurate as those you pay a fee to get the results or those taken at a test centre. It’s common sense, since there’s no free lunch in this world.

But hey: what if I tell you that paid IQ test might not be accurate as well?

For those who has a taste of the IQ test before (free or paid), you’ll realise that the test questions are rather general. Questions usually cover the areas of short-term memory, pattern recognition, reasoning and basic logical thinking.

A researcher, Adam Hampshire, conducted a study and says that there are multiple types of intelligence. Hence such test is limited to what type of intelligence they test for which limits to how reliable the end results could be.

The study was carried out where participates were invited to take a series of 12 online tests that measure memory, reasoning, attention and planning. They also took into consideration the participants’ background and lifestyle.

The finding shows that short-term memory, reasoning and verbal recall were the three components that affect overall performance on tests. Lifestyle factor affects the tests as well.

For example, gamers in general would score higher on tests of reasoning and short-term memory. Smokers are seen to do poorly on tests assessing short-term memory and vocabulary, and those who has anxiety didn’t seem to do well on short-term memory tests.

He also says that “based on the results of our study, it seems likely that IQ differences will vary in scale or even direction depending on the exact type of intelligence that the test or set of tests rely most heavily upon. I would suggest that it is both more accurate and informative to measure multiple types of intelligence.”

So for those who are really into such tests to give a number to your abilities, do take it with a pinch of salt.

After all, these tests do not, and will not, justify what kind of person you are. I mean, no recruiter has requested for an IQ test result before, right?

Unless you’re doing these tests to humblebrag. Then go ahead and get serious with it.