<p>I don't get these things. I can understand them as a predictor for success in geometry or something, but as a test of overall intelligence? B. freaking S. How does one's ability to arrange shapes in their head relate to smartness? Or are these things just a scam?</p>
<p>We covered IQ tests in AP Psych, so I guess I have some insight into this?</p>
<p>The only thing that psychologists agree on about the definition of intelligence is that it’s whatever an IQ measures. So yes, IQ are real, and somewhat reliable. However, IQ scores won’t actually be stable until you hit the age of about 7-9, as your brain is still developing. As for adult and teen IQ tests, as long as they are administered by licensed psychologists and psychiatrists, they are usually legit, and a person’s IQ wil only fluctuate about 10 points if different IQ tests are taken.</p>
<p>So you don’t have to read that:</p>
<p>Yes, they’re real.</p>
<p>just because the definition something like intelligence is so encapsulating , doesn’t mean that something much more limited (like an IQ test) can’t be a great predictor of it.</p>
<p>For example, it has been shown that a simple 10 word vocabulary test can actually predict the IQ of an individual evaluated by a comprehensive IQ test very well.</p>
<p>No, IQ tests are not a “scam.” However, the definition of intelligence is a big topic in psychology; there are a multitude of theories you can find, and my AP Psych teacher actually had us come up with our own theories and then draft the test to measure it.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Both of these are really misguided statements. The former is more of an aptitude test, and success in a classroom depends on so much more than intelligence. The latter is just…wrong. The standard IQ test measures linguistic, logical, and spatial ability. The last is the closest to what you said, but it’s more recognizing ** patterns ** in shapes, and predicting what will come next.</p>
<p>
Well, I’ve covered IQ tests in a college course taught by a professor from the Air Force Academy with a PhD. Psychologists do not agree that IQ tests accurately or reliably measure intelligence. In fact, IQ test are discredited in most psychological circles, due to cultural discrimination and the unquantifiable nature of intelligence, a concept that exists separate from the false definition presupposed by IQ test makers.</p>
<p>No, they are neither reliable nor accurate. In fact, it is impossible to quantify intelligence. It can be used as a test of mathematical logical reasoning, to a degree, but to call it a reliable and accurate measure of intelligence is laughable.</p>
<p>haha, i’ve read articles of bartenders with like 210 IQs. IQ means nothing.</p>
<p>I dont understand them either. I thought IQ tests were supposed to measure your brain’s capacity to store and interpret information… But say a 40 year old person who’s never had any type of schooling took an IQ test… They would fail because IMO IQ tests measure how much you know…</p>
<p>On a govt website (not CIA, but like it) you had to take an IQ test in order to gain access… But the questions asked things about history or something that you would have to be taught… Not something like memorizing a pattern or something. </p>
<p>I don’t understand the point of them.
My science teacher in elementary school said the “average” person had an IQ of around 120, and a person in ALP (advanced learning program - for very gifted children that I was in) had an IQ of around 150, and Einstein close to 200.</p>
<p>It sounds like minnesotaguy got his test results and they indicated that he isn’t going to be very good at geometry. :)</p>
<p>IQ Tests have long been discredited by psychologists. But there are intelligence tests that most endorse, most notably the WAIS. It’s generally not used recreationally though, usually only to identify people in the low extreme (i.e. the mentally challenged).</p>
<p>Also, for clarification, I’m talking about online IQ tests, not official psychologist-administered ones. I made this thread because I always get 100ish’s on these damn things, despite [cocky mode ON]every standardized test I’ve ever taken gave me 95-99% percentiles, and I dominate every school class I’ve taken. I even remember in elementary school I was invited to try out for some advanced learning program (don’t get how advanced elementary school can actually get but that’s neither here nor there) and I got 99%th percentile in the logic, verbal, etc categories, although I did get like a 10% on spatial stuff lol. **** geometry. But because I get bored easily and suck with geometric shapes, I’m suddenly <em>average</em>? Blow me.</p>
<p>I seem to have lost where I was going with this haha yay whiskey.</p>
<p>Minnesotaguy- I think we are talking about the same kind of advanced program in elementary school</p>
<p>^ No I’m talking about the online IQ tests the ALp was just an example of a test I’ve taken that I did good on.</p>
<p>If psychologists don’t agree on IQ tests, then why do they administer them?</p>
<p>You said it was an elementary program not a test…</p>
<p>^ What? Yeah it was the test to get in the ALP, not the actual ALP program. I ended up not getting in b/c of my garbage spatial abilities, I wasn’t too enthused about hanging out with nerds to begin with anyway tho.</p>
<p>
Psychologists don’t agree. Doesn’t mean an individual psychologist can’t think they’re legitimate. It just means that (s)he won’t be too well respected.</p>
<p>
Short answer: Yes, online IQ tests are scams. They want your money/information.</p>
<p>Yeah I was talking about the program that you took the test for. I took that test too</p>
<p>^ Ahhh…the memories. I didn’t really know what the point of the tests were and remember being kind of weirded out by the whole process. One time they asked me to list all the things that fly and I was like “lolwut why am I doing this” and then proceeded to beast by saying birds, time, etc haha. Did you get in?</p>
<p>They didn’t tell us about the test. In third grade (when you take it) they send a letter to all of the third grade parents in my town. </p>
<p>Yeah I made it, and some peoples parents basically bribed their kids to get in (if your child didn’t make it, oh well). And there are complaints, so now they’re getting rid of it. </p>
<p>I hated everyone in it; hated being in the same exact classes with the same exact people from 3-8 grade. But it pushed me ahead one science class and two math classes so I’m happy. We used to stay up until midnight doing just one teachers assignment… HS homework is a joke to me, it’s a break. </p>
<p>I’m glad I did it though.</p>
<p>Wow that sucks. Doesn’t sound like I missed too much except for the math advantage which would be slightly nice. I thought it was just like a way for the smart kids to be together, didn’t know they took it hard to the paint like that.</p>