What is an IQ Test?

IQ is short for Intelligence Quotient. Quite simply the IQ score is nothing more than a numerical measure of intelligence. There are several intelligence tests that exist today that serve to calculate this two or three digit number.

It is a comparative test which means that the standard of human "brightness" is measured against a majority of individuals. Unfortunately this number has become absurdly important when it comes to determining our fates in life. The difference between scoring a two digit or a three digit number can mean the difference between living a life of deprivation and disrespect and one of opportunity and prosperity.

On most tests the normal or average expectation is to score 100 points. This figure was arrived at when it was determined that half of all people who take IQ tests will score between 90 and 110 points. This means that a score of 100 is the median measure of intelligence with half the population scoring beneath and the other half scoring higher.

It has also been determined that less than one quarter of the population would score less than 90 points and another one quarter would score more than 110 points. Both above and below that twenty point "spread between 90 and 110 there are other classifications that are used to profile an individual.

Here is how the IQ profiling structure works.

130+ Very superior

120-129 Superior

110-119 High average

90-109 Average

80-89 Low average

70-79 Borderline

Below 70 Extremely low

The numbers above are the "cut and dry" numbers that are used to measure intelligence and that also can dictate your child's future. However these numbers are far from being the ideal measurement of what your child's potential.

One of the problems is that the results of these tests are often presented in percentile terms. This is where the individual IQ score is presented as a comparative figure that is based on what other people who take the same test would likely score. This would also be based on statistics from previous results.

This also means that if you are tested in a group where the others are not so bright then you will look like a genius even if you did score that low.

For instance it is assumed that because an IQ score of 100 points is average that it means that the person is more intelligent than fifty percent of other people.

On the other hand only a relatively small number of individuals have an IQ that is in excess of 120 points. It is calculated that only 9% of individuals have an IQ over 120.

For this reason it is important to know whether or not that IQ score you are looking at is calculated in terms of IQ points or as a percentile result. The results are relative and not absolute!