What is IQ?

IQ is an acronym for Intelligence Quotient. How did it come about? Well, this entire story started once upon a time (most probably in the 1900) when some great people like Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon did exactly what all observant do- they observed. They studied children- their behavior, ways of working and other things as well- and came down to two main conclusions. The first entailed that children as they age, become more capable mentally to handle different types of jobs. This means that they become more efficient, and competent to do all their work on their own eventually.

Secondly, they also found out a surprising thing- some children can perform as well as people older than them, and there are others who perform like they are only 4 year olds when they are actually 7 years old. This potential that denotes their skill in handling different circumstances is called the Mental Age (MA). And then again, their real age is called the chronological age. Therefore, what this second rule implies is that some children have a mental age higher than their Chronological age, while for the others, it is the other way around. And herein comes in the Intelligence Quotient (IQ). It is calculated by multiplying Mental Age (MA) with 100, and then dividing the number with the Chronological Age (CA). So if you find this entire procedure a little smoky, you might throw up your hands and shout, Hey! I am not in Grade X! Enough of math! but the fact is that math shall unrelentingly follow you wherever you go. Even when you are paying your phone and monthly electricity bills, or perhaps paying for your grocery items, you are adding and subtracting- and that is math, is it not? Still, to clear up the woolly concepts and lay this entire chaos into an order, let us study this equation:

IQ= (100*MA)/ CA

This equation helps one to calculate one’s IQ pretty easily, without much of a hassle. Now your next question will be, what does an IQ score mean? IQ score is the number that’s calculated based on how you perform in the IQ tests and it measures the degree of your intelligence. Well, the Internet may come to your rescue again. If you wish to know your or your child’s IQ score, all you have to do is visit the online sites, and check up on the scores. Generally a score of below 90 means that one has intelligence that is below average, while for the ones with an IQ score of over 100 means they have above average intelligence. Moreover, the ones with an IQ score over 150 are considered geniuses! Einstein, no doubt, falls into this category. And so does Newton and many other famous people. Even Lincoln is believed to have had an IQ of over 160.

Now we come to the main question- is it possible for you to better your child’s IQ once you have found out what it is? Is it probable that your child can do better through tests and practice? The answers are different, and they are generally in discord with each other. There are some critics who believe that such a feat is impossible, but what one can do is increase their latent talents. However, it has been scientifically proven that just like one’s vocabulary and memory could be improved by solving crosswords and other such word games, it is also plausible that a child’s intelligence could be sharpened through certain steps. There are five main procedures that you may follow to achieve the satisfying results.