For more than a century, psychologists, researchers and teachers have been making use of different forms of the Intelligent Quotient test, commonly known as an ‘IQ Test’, for measuring the intelligence of populations. Today there are a number of different types of IQ tests available for one to use to calculate their brain’s performance and to find out where they stand in comparison to the rest of the population of their country, or of the world as a whole. Since the internet is the world’s largest community, it is perfect for conducting or taking IQ tests and for comparing your results with others. Let’s take a look at the free IQ test, which has become common online, and see exactly how these tests work.
What is a Free IQ Test?
As there are a wide range of free IQ tests that can be found via a quick search, it would be impossible to describe how each one works in this article. In general, a free IQ test will include a set of questions that, when answered by a large number of people, will generate a median score of 100 points. This means that half of the people that take the test will score below 100, and half will score above 100. The score of a single test is not necessarily a sign that one is a genius or a lackwit; most professionals believe that an individual should take at least three free IQ tests to determine where their actual IQ score lies.
As a quick side note: there are a number of free IQ tests on the internet that are marketed as real IQ tests, when they are actually more of a set of trivia questions. A properly written free IQ test will have standardized results, which allows the taker to truly use the scores as a benchmark to see how their intelligence level is shaping up. Any free IQ test that contains questions regarding sports, popular culture or other “Jeopardy!” like questions should have their results taken with a grain of salt.
Types of Free IQ Tests Available
A free IQ test can not only be lots of fun to take, but also provide you with metrics as to your cognitive abilities. Can you beat your friends' IQ?
For adults, the most popular and well-known IQ testing method is known as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale test, or the WAIS. WAIS is now in its fourth revision, which is commonly referred to as WAIS-IV. The WAIS method essentially tests individuals in four different areas: verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and memory processing speed.
Completing the full WAIS-IV, which comprises a total of fifteen subtests, can take quite a while; for this reason, a free IQ test that follows the WAIS methodology will normally include questions in each of the four areas listed above, and will produce a score that is relatively accurate.
For those looking for a free IQ test for children, tests that are based on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children or WISC are highly recommended. The WISC is also in its fourth version, known as WISC-IV, which was released in 2003. Similar to WAIS, completing a full WISC-IV test can take a child well over an hour, so free IQ tests that are based on WISC are generally made quite a bit shorter. A free IQ test for kids that is based on WISC-IV will include testing of picture concepts, letter and number sequencing, matrix reasoning, and word reasoning. The scores of these and other subtests are compiled to produce the final IQ score.
Taking a Free IQ Test has a Number of Benefits
Aside from an entertaining way to determine “who’s the smartest” in a group of friends, there are a couple of benefits to taking a free IQ test. First, while a free IQ test isn’t a complete assessment, most will give a good ballpark for where an individual’s IQ lies. A free IQ test can also help indicate areas where an individual may need to spend some additional time, such as verbal comprehension or how quick their memory processes information. Writing a free IQ test before and after something as challenging as a year of college can show the effects that a school year has had on brain performance as well.
Note that while there are a number of studies available that correlate IQ scores to social outcomes such as future performance in college, career performance and even to health, free IQ test scores aren’t intended to be read this deeply. Treat your free IQ test as a way to gauge your performance, but not as an assessment of how you will perform in academic or work environments.
How Long does a Free IQ Test Take to Complete?
The length of a free IQ test depends on two factors: how in-depth the test goes, and the person taking the test. Some individuals will fly through a free IQ test, as they are able to quickly calculate their answers for each question; others will take some time to fully absorb each question prior to selecting their answer.
In general, it’s best to leave anywhere between ten to twenty minutes to complete a free IQ test and to allow the website offering the test to calculate your result. For those that have additional time available, consider taking a longer free IQ test or taking a number of free IQ tests to obtain more than just a single IQ score.
Free IQ Tests are FUN!
Taking a free IQ test is meant to be a fun experience that gives the person taking the test an indication of how their intelligence ranks up. Don’t let a low score on a free IQ test get you down! Without taking a number of properly conducted full IQ tests, it’s impossible to get an exact score that shows where you rank compared to the rest of the world. Use the result of a free IQ test as an indicator, and if the result causes more questions than answers, register for a full IQ test that will provide a more accurate score. Good luck!