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It's very common for individuals to consider IQ tests nowadays in an effort to assess their intelligence. However, many people may be doubtful whether IQ tests give a precise representation of the person's degree of intelligence. To ensure that us to determine whether standard IQ tests are accurate, we can begin by researching the backdrop of IQ tests.
Background of IQ Tests
Sir Frances Galton was among the first scientists introducing the Intelligence Quotient Test. This British scientist conducted research making comparisons of different people according to their abilities to accomplish certain tasks. His study assured him there must be a method to measure human intelligence. After Galton, another kind of IQ test was developed by Alfred Binet, a French psychologist. Along with Theodore Simon, Binet developed tests for memory, vocabulary, practical knowledge, reasoning, and problem solving skills. In comparison to Galton's test, the Binet-Simon IQ test was better in predicting academic success, and it is still the conventional formula from which many of today's intelligence tests were derived. Alfred Binet's test was brought to the United States by Henry Goddard. There, the formula was revised by Lewis Terman, and a new scoring system was developed. With this particular scoring system, an individual's IQ test score will be judged against the performance of individuals of the same age.
Accuracy of normal IQ Tests
Are standard IQ tests really accurate? People often wonder why many people who are bright at school don't do so well in IQ tests. On the other hand, people who avoid well in class may excel in IQ tests. This doesn't mean that IQ tests aren't accurate. It only means that some people are smarter when it comes to logic and reasoning, while some have better memory skills. Because school examinations cover this type of wide array of topics, it is not easy to evaluate the overall intelligence of the person. Students may do well for just one or two subjects that they're exceptionally good at, while scoring lower marks for subjects that they're not so interested in. You will find individuals with low IQ test scores that do very well for their exams and also the cause of this might be just that they've studied harder than the others. This has absolutely nothing to do with logic and reasoning skills; it is just a matter of determination and difficult work. Therefore, the phrase intelligence is a continuous debate.
IQ Tests for single and multiple abilities
People also wonder whether intelligence is just a measure for a single ability or a number of different abilities. Are you considered generally intelligent if you're only good in Mathematics? Or are you currently considered intelligent in Mathematics and just average in overall intelligence? It all depends on how you see it. Today's IQ tests are accurate as long as you consider the facets of intelligence they measure. Intelligence is still something that can't be defined by a universal value. A genius may show exceptional intelligence in a certain field of study, but he is able to be quite slow-witted in other subjects. Is really a person considered intelligent?
Multiple IQ tests are generally more accurate, because they assess a person's intelligence in different fields of mental abilities in addition to provide a more accurate account of a person's overall intelligence. In multiple IQ tests, a person's scores from various standard IQ tests is going to be added up after which divided to create a typical. A good thing about taking multiple IQ tests is you counteract certain variations in environmental factors, for example stress and mood.
How environmental factors can impact the precision of IQ tests?
Studies show that the standard IQ test is an accurate way of measuring a person's intelligence, that there are specific environmental factors that can affect it. It has been established that results from the score of the standard IQ test may vary as much as 15 points, when the individual who is being tested is impacted by factors such as mood, anxiety, emotions and biochemistry. To be able to lessen the results of these environmental factors, many people take multiple IQ tests rather than single standard IQ tests, due to the fact the previous gives a better representation of intelligence.
