DEFINITION
“Intelligence tests are psychological tests that are designed to measure a variety of mental functions,
such as reasoning, comprehension, and judgment”.
PURPOSE
The goal of intelligence tests is to obtain an idea of the person's intellectual potential. The tests center
around a set of stimuli designed to yield a score based on the test maker's model of what makes up
intelligence. Intelligence tests are often given as a part of a battery of tests.
PRECAUTIONS WITH INTELLIGENCE TESTS
There are many different types of intelligence tests and they all do not measure the same abilities.
Although the tests often have aspects that are related with each other, one should not expect that scores
from one intelligence test, that measures a single factor, will be similar to scores on another intelligence
test that measures a variety of factors.
Also, when determining whether or not to use an intelligence test, a person should make sure that the
test has been adequately developed and has solid research to show its reliability and validity.
Additionally, psychometric testing requires a clinically trained examiner. Therefore, the test should only
be administered and interpreted by a trained professional. This is especially true in case of different tests
that measure different abilities in individuals. A person who is well trained in the administration of one
test may or may not be as well trained in the administration of another test.
CRITICISM OF INTELLIGENCE TESTS
A central criticism of intelligence tests is that psychologists and educators use these tests to distribute
the limited resources of our society. These test results are used to provide rewards such as special
classes for gifted students, admission to college, and employment.
Those who do not qualify for these resources based on intelligence test scores may feel angry as if the
tests are denying them opportunities for success. Unfortunately, intelligence test scores have not only
become associated with a person's ability to perform certain tasks, but with self-worth.
Many people are under the false assumption that intelligence tests measure a person's inborn or
biological intelligence. Intelligence tests are based on an individual's interaction with the environment
and never exclusively measure inborn intelligence.
Intelligence tests have been associated with categorizing and stereotyping people. Additionally,
knowledge of one's performance on an intelligence test may affect a person's aspirations and motivation
to obtain goals. Intelligence tests can be culturally biased against certain groups.
COMMON PROCEDURES
When taking an intelligence test, a person can expect to do a variety of tasks.
These tasks may include having to answer questions that are asked verbally, doing mathematical
problems, and doing a variety of tasks that require eye-hand coordination. Some tasks may be timed and
require the person to work as quickly as possibleTypically, most questions and tasks start out easy and progressively get more difficult. It is unusual for
anyone to know the answer to all of the questions or be able to complete all of the tasks. If a person is
unsure of an answer, guessing is usually allowed.
The person's raw scores on an intelligence test are typically converted to standard scores. The standard
scores allow the examiner to compare the individual's score to other people who have taken the test.
Additionally, by converting raw scores to standard scores the examiner has uniform scores and can more
easily compare an individual's performance on one test with the individual's performance on another
test.
Depending on the intelligence test that is used, a variety of scores can be obtained. Most intelligence
tests generate an overall intelligence quotient or IQ. As previously noted, it is valuable to know how a
person performs on the various tasks that make up the test. This can influence the interpretation of the
test and what the IQ means. The average of score for most intelligence tests is 100.
ADVANTAGES
In general, intelligence tests measure a wide variety of human behaviors better than any other measure
that has been developed.
They allow professionals to have a uniform way of comparing a person's performance with that of other
people who are similar in age. These tests also provide information on cultural and biological
differences among people.
Intelligence tests are excellent predictors of academic achievement and provide an outline of a person's
mental strengths and weaknesses. Many times the scores have revealed talents in many people, which
have led to an improvement in their educational opportunities. Teachers, parents, and psychologists are
able to devise individual curricula that match a person's level of development and expectations.
DISADVANTAGES
Some researchers argue that intelligence tests have serious shortcomings. For example, many
intelligence tests produce a single intelligence score. This single score is often inadequate in explaining
the multidimensional aspects of intelligence.
Another problem with a single score is the fact that individuals with similar intelligence test scores can
vary greatly in their expression of these talents. It is important to know the person's performance on the
various subtests that make up the overall intelligence test score. Knowing the performance on these
various scales can influence the understanding of a person's abilities and how these abilities are
expressed.
For example, two people have identical scores on intelligence tests. Although both people have the same
test score, one person may have obtained the score because of strong verbal skills while the other may
have obtained the score because of strong skills in perceiving and organizing various tasks.
Furthermore, intelligence tests only measure a sample of behaviors or situations in which intelligent
behavior is revealed. For instance, some intelligence tests do not measure a person's everyday
functioning, social knowledge, mechanical skills, and/or creativity.
Along with this, the formats of many intelligence tests do not capture the complexity and immediacy of
real-life situations. Therefore, intelligence tests have been criticized for their limited ability to predict
non-test or nonacademic intellectual abilities. Since intelligence test scores can be influenced by a
variety of different experiences and behaviors, they should not be considered a perfect indicator of a
person's intellectual potential.

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Born with personality is an accident but dying as a personality is an achievement.