IQ Tests: IQ Score Interpretation

IQ stands for Intelligent Quotient. It is the measurement of a person’s intelligence that is calculated on the basis of special tests. The average IQ is by definition 100. Above 100 indicates a higher than average IQ and scores below 100 indicates a lower than average IQ. Scores can range any amount below or above 100, but it should not go below 50 or above 150. Fifty percent of the populations have IQ’s between 90 and 110 while twenty five percent have lower and another twenty percent with higher IQ’s.

Classification table
If the score is:

• under 70: mentally retarded (2.2%)
  
• 70-80: borderline retarded (6.7%)
  
• 80-90: below average (16.1%)
  
• 90-110: average (50%)
  
• 110-120: above average (16.1%)
  
• 120-130: superior (6.7%)
  
• Above 130: very superior (2.2%)

IQ Tests:
The concept of tests to measure intelligence was first proposed about hundred years ago. IQ tests are limited in their scope and usefulness in that they can measure only the academic aspect of intelligence. Despite the IQ score, no individual should feel limited in his or her potential for success, and who consider themselves to be non-academic should take pride in their highly intellectual, creative and emotional abilities.

A well administered test can provide most information about you overall general aptitudes. The IQ scores will tell whether you are a logical thinker, visually inclined, a verbal or a numerical genius. Intelligence tests also assess the following.
1) Mathematical skills
2) Verbal skills
3) Spatial skills
4) Pattern recognition
5) Logical reasoning
6) Short term memory
7) General knowledge
8) Classification skills
IQ test does not consider the social and emotional intelligence. They also do not measure other abilities such as musical and artistic talents, Physical coordination or spiritual level.

Types of IQ tests
There are many types of IQ tests. Each type of test is designed for different purposes. For example, intelligence tests for school-aged are Wechsler intelligence scale for children and Stanford Binet intelligence test. Child intelligence tests are the most widely used intelligence testing for kids.

IQ Test Score
A General Intelligence Quotient score is a statistically derived number which indicates relative and comparative abilities that can be used to obtain academic skills and knowledge.

IQ tests are designed to measure certain aspects of intelligence and they do it very well. The ability to think logically, solve mathematical problems and explore possibilities of selection and choice is an important aspect of intelligence. Academically inclined individuals tend to do well in this area. Analogy test are frequently used to measure this kind of intelligence and they form an integral part of the IQ test in educational institutions. This type of test cannot measure other aspects of intelligence. Those who score high in academics are not necessary to succeed socially. Life skills are also important and even it is difficult to measure, some social and emotional skills.

Guidelines for IQ score interpretation.
(1) IQ does not indicate the correct value of a person.

(2) It reflects a level of performance on a set of tasks.

(3) IQ scores from a test cannot be taken as the correct measure of intelligence.

(4) Use IQ classification tables to understand the level of people with different IQ scores.

(5) IQ scores with larger differences from the suggested are more reliable and meaningful. The younger the child is, the IQ score is less reliable.

(6) Interpretation of IQ score should occur in the context of broader assessment which should be based in behavior, observation and interview by a psychologist or a team of mental and medical professionals.

(7) Even though there is some level of unreliability, these tests are more accurate and reliable.

(8) IQ scores are not closely linked to other qualities such as career achievement and happiness.

(9) Some scale refer ‘ratio IQ’ (mental or chronological age) and ‘deviation IQ’ (these scores deflate ratio IQ which give some one an IQ, based on their ranking using a perfect bell curve distribution).

IQ can be expressed in percentiles which is not the same as percentage scores. Percentage refers to the number of items which a child answers correctly compared to the total number of items. Percentile refers to the number of other test takers score that an individual’s score equals or exceeds