How to Test Your IQ: Top 11 IQ Tests

What is IQ?

IQ (Intelligence Quotient) is a score that is determined by an assessment of your reasoning and problem-solving abilities. IQ is descriptive of how you think, but not of how much you know. The average score is 100, which is useful when comparing your thinking/learning performance to that of others. IQ does not reflect creativity, emotions, or functioning competencies, as those are other parts of your intelligence as a whole.

How Are IQ Tests Performed?

Tests are conducted online and in person. Online IQ Tests are dependent on Websites or Apps, offering instant reports after finishing tests. In-person tests need you to visit the designated location, where they are supervised by a qualified proctor or conducted one-on-one by a licensed psychologist. Reports from in-person tests are not provided immediately and typically require higher costs.

What Does An IQ Test Check For?

An IQ test is not aimed to measure your knowledge; instead, it assesses your brain's fundamental ability to process information—think of it as the "operating system" of your brain. It primarily evaluates 4 key areas: problem-solving skills, working memory, verbal reasoning, and visual processing abilities.

How to Select a Trustworthy Test?

For online tests: Select platforms that clearly explain their methods, use professionally developed questions, and prioritize data privacy. Be cautious of promotional claims like "created by scientists."

For In-Person Tests: Some reliable avenues include supervised examinations (e.g., Mensa Admission Test) or evaluations used by psychology for professional purposes (e.g., Wechsler and Stanford-Binet assessments), which will be administered by a psychologist.

What to Do Before Taking An IQ Test?

Physical Preparation: Make sure you get a good sleep, eat healthy meals, and stay well-hydrated.

Mental Preparation: Stay calm and treat the test as a chance to learn about yourself. You can familiarize yourself with question types (e.g., matrix reasoning or number patterns) by practicing official sample tests.

Practical Preparation: Choose a time to test when you are most awake and focused, such as in the morning. If you are taking an online test, choose a room that is quiet and where you have a strong internet connection. If taking a test at a physical location, determine how you will travel there to reduce the anxiety.

Top 11 IQ Tests

Clinical Evaluations by Professionals

Licensed psychologists administer these tests one-on-one, and they are among the reliable for clinical, educational, and legal diagnoses.

1. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV)

Brief: It is designed to evaluate cognitive brain ability for adults 16 years and older. The test examines 4 main indices: Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning, Working Memory, and Processing Speed.

Format: In-person, one-on-one.

Cost: High.

2. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V)

Brief: Used to evaluate the intellectual and developmental level of children (ages 6-16).

Format: In-person, one-on-one.

Cost: High.

3. Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales (SB5)

Brief: Applicable for individuals from age 2 to adulthood.

Format: In-person, one-on-one.

Cost: High.

High-IQ Society Admission/Supervised Tests

These assessments are regarded as official pathways to high-IQ associations.

4. Mensa Admission Test

Brief: It's the most popular official test in the world for the high-IQ association. It is almost proctored at designated locations and offers a widely recognized standardized testing experience.

Format: In-person, supervised.

Cost: About $40-60.

5. Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales (L-M Version)

Brief: American Mensa also accepts scores from this version for membership eligibility (it requires that the report was evaluated by a qualified professional within the past two years).

Format: In-person, one-on-one.

Cost: High.

Popular Online Tests

These online tests are suitable for self-exploration.

6. IQTest.com

Brief: It's one of the paid online IQ tests. It has a highly professional layout and includes a comprehensive statistics report with norm comparisons.

7. 123test.com - Classic IQ Test

Brief: This is one of the free IQ tests and is well-liked for its transparency and privacy policies.

8. Brain Metrix IQ Test

Brief: This is also a free online IQ test and is user-friendly.

Cognitive Training Apps as Assessments

These are popular forms of assessments of cognitive ability.

9. Lumosity - "Lumosity Performance Index"

Brief: This app assesses speed, memory, attention, flexibility, and problem-solving ability.

10. Elevate - Skills Assessment

Brief: Elevate is another well-liked brain training app that gamifies tests to assess your math, reading, writing, and verbal skills.

11. Free IQ Test - Free Brain Training

Brief: An emerging app for brain training and testing. It evaluates memory, mental math speed, focus, visual processing, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities.

How Do I Interpret My IQ Test Results?

Full Scale IQ Score: The IQ average score is 100. Most people score between 85 and 115.

Percentile Rank: It shows the percentage of people you scored higher than.
 

Is Knowing Your IQ Useful?

• Find out your Strengths and Weaknesses.
• Explain your go through from a scientific perspective.
• Guide your Personal Development, such as offering a reference for career planning and skill enhancement.
• Used to diagnose learning disabilities (e.g., ADHD) and assess cognitive impairment.

Is It Possible to Increase the IQ Level?

It is not easy to alter core cognitive ability (fluid intelligence) in a significant way. But, through focused learning, targeted practice, and a healthy lifestyle, we can improve general intellectual capacity in solving problems in the real world. For example, Free Brain Training converts monotonous training into fun and engaging games you can play in small chunks. You can train during your free time. Best of all, it's free.