The term IQ, or intelligence quotient, is a measure of an individual’s mental ability. Most IQ tests use a standard scale with 100 as the median score. A person with a score of 90-110 is said to have average intelligence, while someone with a score of over 130 is said to possess exceptional intelligence.
On the other hand, if an individual scores less than 70, it is an indication of mental retardation. Tests that measure cognitive ability take the age of the person into account.
Why is IQ measured?
https://goroboted.com experts say that IQ tests are designed to measure the general problem-solving ability of an individual and his capability to understand concepts.
A common IQ test includes problem-solving ability, reasoning ability, competence to find the relationship between discrete entities as well as the ability to store and recollect information. All these traits are tested in the following ways –
- Dimensional: The ability to visualize manipulated shapes and sizes.
- Mathematical: Ability to solve complex problems using logic.
- Language: This might include the ability to rearrange letters or words according to a specific pattern.
- Memory: The ability to recollect things that have been presented either aurally or visually.
An IQ test usually has questions from each of the above-mentioned categories. Experts have found out that people who perform well in one of these categories also perform well in the others.
The same is applicable to those who underperform in one of these categories. In an ideal case, an IQ test measures the general factor of intelligence, commonly known as ‘g’. A good IQ test is one that features questions from multiple categories so as to keep it balanced and prevent emphasis on any particular skill.
How can you increase your IQ score?
Researchers have discovered that young kids develop higher intellectual ability if they are on a rich nutrient diet. In addition, intellectual stimulation in the early years of schooling also helps in boosting the IQ, but only up to a certain level and for a few years.
There is enough evidence to support that maintaining an intellectually stimulating atmosphere can help in enhancing the IQ levels of an individual. However, these changes are temporary and have little effect on the IQ score in the long run.
For this fact, brain power depends more on genetic factors rather than on environmental factors. Nonetheless, the latter does have some role to play in determining the IQ.
The Bottom-line
This means that your IQ score is more or less the same, irrespective of the education you acquire throughout life. However, this test isn’t a fool-proof method of determining one’s intelligence.
Critics argue that IQ tests don’t take other critical aspects such as creativity, social skills and acquired abilities into consideration. Nevertheless, in most cases, IQ tests as a measure of intellectual ability have been fairly accurate and related to success at school or at the workplace.
Therefore, an intellectually sound atmosphere is essential in boosting the IQ.
