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It is very common for individuals to consider IQ tests nowadays as a way to assess their intelligence. However, some people might be doubtful whether IQ tests give a precise representation of a person's level of intelligence. In order for us to find out whether standard IQ exams are accurate, we can start by learning about the backdrop of IQ tests.
Background of IQ Tests
Sir Frances Galton was among the first scientists to introduce the Intelligence Quotient Test. This British scientist conducted research and made comparisons of different people according to their abilities to complete certain tasks. His study assured him that 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 experience, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Compared to Galton's test, the Binet-Simon IQ test was better in predicting academic success, which is still the standard formula that a lot of today's intelligence tests were derived. Alfred Binet's test was delivered 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, a person's IQ test score will be judged from the performance of individuals of the identical age.
Accuracy of standard IQ Tests
Are standard IQ tests really accurate? People often wonder why some people who're bright at school don't do so well in IQ tests. However, people who avoid well at school may succeed in IQ tests. This doesn't mean that IQ tests aren't accurate. It only means that many people are smarter with regards to logic and reasoning, while others have better memory skills. Because school examinations cover such a range of topics, it is not easy to evaluate the general intelligence of a person. Students may prosper for one or two subjects that they are exceptionally good at, while scoring lower marks for subjects that they're not too thinking about. There are individuals with low IQ test scores that do very well for their exams and the reason behind this might be just that they have studied harder than the others. It has nothing to use logic and reasoning skills; it is just a few determination and difficult work. Therefore, the phrase intelligence is really a continuous debate.
IQ Tests for single and multiple abilities
People also wonder if intelligence is simply a measure for any single ability or a number of different abilities. Are you considered generally intelligent if you're only good in Mathematics? Or are you considered intelligent in Mathematics and just average in overall intelligence? The treatment depends how you see it. Today's IQ tests are accurate as long as you take into consideration the aspects of intelligence they measure. Intelligence continues to be something which can't be based on a universal value. A genius may show exceptional intelligence in a certain field of study, but he can be quite slow-witted in other subjects. Is such an individual considered intelligent?
Multiple IQ exams are generally more accurate, because they assess an individual's intelligence in different fields of mental abilities as well as provide a more accurate account of the person's overall intelligence. In multiple IQ tests, an individual's scores from various standard IQ tests is going to be added up after which divided to produce an average. One good thing about taking multiple IQ tests is that you counteract certain variations in environmental factors, for example stress and mood.
How environmental factors can affect the accuracy of IQ tests?
Research has shown that a standard IQ test is an accurate way of measuring a person's intelligence, only that there are specific environmental factors that may affect it. It has been established that is a result of the score of a standard IQ test may vary up to 15 points, when the person who is being tested is impacted by factors such as mood, anxiety, emotions and biochemistry. To be able to lessen the effects of these environmental factors, lots of people choose to take multiple IQ tests instead of single standard IQ tests, simply because the former gives a better representation of intelligence.
