IQ Tests??

Question

do you really think it reflects ones intelligence? do you agree people with high scores will live their lives more competently?

Answer 1

Hi Ash

An IQ score reflects ONE thing - how good you are at doing that particular kind of IQ test. (I personally do fairly well at IQ tests, so this isn't sour grapes.)

Apart from anything else, there is NO universally agreed definition of what "intelligence" actually is. So how can we possibly be sure what an IQ test is measuring?

As to the consequences of having a high score - that has comparatively little to do with how well you will succeed in life.
Various studies have shown that there DOES seem to be a positive correlation between school test results and IQ score. BUT they also show that there is little or no relationship between how well you do in school tests and how well you will do in life (how well you will do in your job, etc.)

As to competence, here's a true story about someone who belongs to MENSA - the club for "geniuses" (as measured by IQ score):

This guy was an entrepreneur, and he brought a certain product to market which was extremely successful. It made him millions of ££££s.

But, after two or three years he was advised that he needed to invest in having his product updated if he wanted to hold on to his market share. The guy only had to invest something like £15,000-£20,000 on having this update done - remember he's already made £millions - but he decided not to "waste" all that money, and he went for a $5,000 update instead.

As a result of this choice his market share collapsed and he had to let a competitor buy him out.

Of course he didn't go broke, but he ended up with only a fraction of the money he COULD have made simply by investing the amount he'd been advised to invest.

The guy is definitely a "genius" according to his IQ score. but would you describe him as competent?

Even a genuinely clever person won't get far in life unless they put their cleverness to good use.

Answer 2

I think it does reflect your intelligence to a certain point but sometimes you get wierd answers. I got a lower IQ on a test for a teenager than a test for an adult. I think that many factors can affect the answer you get like how you are feeling on the day and the distractions that are around you when you take the test itself. I really don't know if a higher IQ is going to mean you are going to be more competent/successful in life.

Answer 3

IQ tests do reflect something about intelligence, and they are related to success in western civilization.

Other people may be smart, but hold different values and intentions that are not reflected in the usual tests. They may be even more "competent" than those with higher IQ's.

Answer 4

IQ tests are supposed to reflect ones intelligence.
However, intelligence is often wasted and does not equal wisdom or even competence.

Answer 5

most online IQ tests are generic, meaning you could be smart in an area that no questions are asked about. i've taken then and scored between 130-140. meaning i smarter than the average. does it make me feel better... yes but doesn't change the way i live my life.
still feel stupid most of the time.

Answer 6

any standardized test will be swayed by those who write the test. people are good at different things and that cant really be measured on a standard test. i am good at physical things but my sister is good at book things. that doesnt mean that either one of us is more intelligent, it just means that we suceed in different areas. this is why we dont do the same thing.