IQ Scale

What this is ?

Your IQ scale or intelligence quotient is measured by taking different standardized intelligence tests and was first termed IQ by Lewis Terman in 1916. It was first devised to measure children’s intelligence to get them the development assistance they need while still at school.

Over the years the term has changed in how it is assessed with the IQ scale based on an average IQ multiplied by 100 with a standard deviation of up to 15. Not all tests are equal, nor do they all use the standard deviation.

IQ tests are written to measure parts of an individual’s intelligence using common factors such as parent’s socio-economic status, mortality, morbidity, and IQ. Though it is thought that intelligence is hereditary, there is no conclusive evidence to say that is absolutely true.

What are IQ Scores used For?

There are many uses for IQ scores and among them the ability to assess the special needs of students within schools and to help predict how individuals will achieve during their education. They are used to predict your ability to perform in certain careers and job functions, as well as the ability to earn certain income levels.

For many years, and in many countries, the average IQ has risen by a ratio of 3 points a decade. Interestingly, the highest increase is the bottom half of the IQ rate. It is hard to know if the average intelligence is actually rising or if it is the advanced methods now being used that has contributed to better scoring in the lower parts of the iq scale.

What does scale for iq testing Measure?

Intelligence testing first began in 1904, when the French government commissioned Alfred Binet to devise a system to help define children with normal intelligence, to separate them from those who had mental deficiencies.

The IQ scale was originally called the Binet scale, and then the Simon-Binet Scale and eventually became known as the Binet-Simon Scale of Intelligence (Stanford-Binet) which classifies scores on the following IQ scale:

• An IQ score of 140 and above means you are in the genius range.

• An IQ score of 120 to 139 means you are in the very superior intelligence range.

• An IQ score of 110 to 119 means you are in the superior intelligence range.

• An IQ score of 90 to 109 means you are of average intelligence.

• An IQ score of 80 to 89 means you are in the dull intelligence range.

• Aan IQ score of 70 to 79 means you are borderline mentally deficient.

• An IQ score of below 70 means you are in the mental retardation range.

How does your Score Relate to the Rest of the Population?

Your IQ score will fall into a typical range across the population:

• 50 percent of the population has a score between 90 and 110

• 70 percent of the population has a score between 85 and 115

• 95 percent of the population has a score between 70 and 130

• 99.5 percent of the population has a score between 60 and 140

IQ scores vary from person to person because an individual’s age is taken into account when reaching an IQ score. When calculating the score, most tests take into account the mental age in relation to the individual’s actual age. While many IQ scales are different, most use 100 as the average to represent average intelligence.

How Smart are You?

So you think you are smart? How smart are you really? If you have an IQ of 130 you are smarter than 98 percent of the population, but you must remember there are a lot of people in the last 2 percent who are smarter than you.

More recent thoughts have it that if someone with a low IQ is more self-disciplined they are more likely to succeed than someone with an IQ of 140 who is totally disorganized. IQ scores alone are not a total measure of your intelligence. You need to put your score into perspective along with the other important factors that affect your life. IQ scores alone will not make you successful in your life.

On the whole, your IQ score has little to do with your success in life, but it is a good predictor for your ability to learn. It also gives potential employees an insight into you that can help you secure a job.