1. I.Q. Tests: Facts and Observations
So far, intelligence has only really been assessed, with some precision, by scientifically normed
I.Q. tests241 overseen by psychologists. No other method has ever given a better outcome, but the
notion, although renowned, remains fuzzy.
You may be wondering what those tests truly represent and what they actually measure. You
may be unsure whether or not they are accurate.
You may have been confused by the results given to you after an assessment.
The next paragraphs should enlighten the curious reader.
1.1What’s an I.Q. Score?
What exactly is an I.Q. score1?
It’s not a mark, points, or the total of one’s neurons. It is a relative score comparing one’s mental
ability to that of the rest of the general population in one’s country. It doesn’t measure
intelligence directly but what one can do with it compared to the reference group. It is akin to
measuring your strength by how high you can jump or how far you can throw.
I.Q. testing is habitually used as a clue for psychologists to find out if people are capable of
unusual mental performance or if they suffer from cognitive disabilities242. It ordinarily has to be
completed with a psychological assessment14 to proceed with a diagnosis.
1.2 The Different Types of Tests
To measure an Intelligence Quotient27 you need a tool in the form of a test. It resembles an exam
with questions, not specifically created to evaluate what you know, but rather whether you are
cognitively equipped to find a solution. Several authors have invented their own specific tests for
quantifying intelligence over the years.