Are IQ tests really accurate and are their results a reliable indicator of one's true level of intelligence?

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No, there isn't any IQ test that can actually tell how intelligent you are unless it asks every single question it is possible to ask, on every subject. As you can see, this is pretty much impossible...

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The Wechsler and the Sanford-Binet are the most reliable and widely used IQ tests. They are accurate in determining IQ as defined for the purpose of IQ tests. I took one on line 40+ years after I was tested in grade school. The reults were exactly the same.

Be aware that Scientology and the Military use different IQ tests with different scales and measures. The results of these tests can be used to flatter and convince the subject that they are more intelligent than conventional society would recongize and this flattery is a basis for manipulation of the subject.

If your IQ is "tested" by anything other than the Wechsler or the Sanford-Binet look into the scientific basis of the test.

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This is ridiculous! IQ tests do not really deterrmine how intelligent you are. They are simply tests that should be used for fun and not to really see how smart you are. You decide your own intelligence. "I Can is 100 times more important than I.Q" - Anonymous. This means that you should try and learn, don't just sit back and think that you've learned all that you could!

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as lame as this sounds, they ARE the definition of intelligence.

Your intelligence is defined as your score on the test.

This score tends to correlate with a number of traits perceived to be desirable, so it may be useful even though it seems a circular and very limited definition.

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I tend to disagree as it's just a group of people's opinions. Define the word "normal." It can't be done because there is nothing to base "normal" on, but a bandaid is used with this word telling us that "normal" is basically the set pattern of what most people do. The most abnormal people I have met are highly intelligent. I worked with a professor who was a wonderful person, but came to work with odd colored socks on, a stained tie and one day he didn't have a shirt on under his suit! Is he abnormal? I doubt it. He had such a complex mind (always thinking) that the normal things in life were mundane to him. No big secret here.

It is a proven fact that if you take 100 people and give them a written test of questions, 1/2 will not do well. Why? Some people learn from sight and others from audio. If you gave the same test again, but explained the question on a video screen, the 1/2 that got the written test wouldn't score well from solving the questions shown on the video screen. Interesting!

Most highly intelligent people are only intelligent in their field and ask them to spell something and they can't do it. I know, I had to work with that professor. LOL

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I would add that there are different types of "intelligence", some of which have nothing to do with conventional schools or learning.

A person may not be able to read, but is able to "solve problems" and make choices based on past experiences, that is something I call native intelligence.

Others may be able to "talk well' but are unable to put it in writing. I know a man who has a wonderfull vocabulary, despite the fact he didn't make it to high school.

Finally, I would agree that in some cases, the very well educated are lost outside of the narrow area of their field of education. Imagine trying to teach a Phd in history how to set up a dirt sprint car?? Not a clue.

Regarding the above answer concerning different types of intelligence, I couldn't agree more. I know someone who had low test scores on typical academic tests; however, the same person excelled exceedingly in matters of mechanics and electronics whereas those proficient in scholastics could not even compare, let alone compete. All types of knowledge should be admired and respected and not just those based on "book learning."

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I remember an interesting discussion from my psychology "Tests and Measures" class. The professor pointed out the circular nature of the question: Q: What is IQ? A: That which is measured by an IQ test. Q: What does an IQ test measure? A: IQ. As an earlier poster answered, an IQ test can give some valuable information regarding the abilities and limitations of an individual. But there are quite a number of factors that we just haven't discovered how to adequately measure.

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I'm skeptical about group intelligence tests. (An individual test, given face to face by a psychologist, may be different).

It is claimed that the tests measure ability and they are widely used as a measure of potential.

Long ago I took several intelligence tests, and very soon a pattern emerged. I did extremely well on the visuo-spatial questions, reasonably well on the maths questions and got very few of the verbal intelligence questions right. I did some reading about intelligence tests. Imagine my amusement on reading that high visuo-spatial intelligence points to ability in physics - the only subject that I failed at school. Predictably, the stuff I read went on to say that a high score on verbal intelligence indicates ability to handle one own language and to learn foreign languages. In fact, my university degrees are in modern languages! If I'm really in the bottom 10% of the population on verbal intelligence, then hey, how come I'm writing an articulate answer here?

Once I told a psychologist I know about this and added, 'Presumably the people who compile the tests consult linguists about the verbal intelligence questions.' He just roared with laughter and finally said, 'You surely don't think they're modest enough to acknowledge their own ignorance? That really DOES call for intelligence'. We both laughed ...

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I read there are other Quotients too.. Like EQ [Emotional Quotient], PQ [Physical Quotient] and SQ [Spiritual Quotient]! IQ is just another one! So it doesn' matter if one scores high or low on their IQ tests, you people will have the times of your life trying out and honing their hidden talents.

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I believe that it is impossible for someone to measure up your intelligence. IQs have nothing to do with how smart you are or how smart you can be. you decide your own intelligence, not a test.

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It is better to think of IQ as the mph of your brain. So if you have a "sports car" brain your engine allows you to reach 0-60mph is 5 seconds....you brain moves a little faster. People of higher IQs learn faster, people of average IQs still reach 60mph, but do it in 12 seconds. Both brains are capable of learning the same information, one just gets their faster.

In regards to the above answer: So if IQ is based on the speed in which one learns, then that would mean that younger minds are more intelligent than older minds. Also, some medical conditions affect cognition (ever heard of fibro fog, and of course ADD/ADHD?). As well, certain medications would tend to make one smarter and vice versa. Adderall is quite capable of advancing one's learning speed rather immensely. Therefore, a person's speed of learning would be determinate on a number of factors: age, medical history, performance-enhancing drugs, etc. Just a thought...

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Knowledge, experience, 'common sense' and maturity are important provided one is not sub-normal.

First answer by anonymous. Last edit by LLW72450. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 176 [recommend question]