How IQ Tests Work — I Finally Decided To Publish My IQ Test Results
I’ve always been a seeker of knowledge. I constantly want to learn more and develop new perspective and acquire more knowledge….
I’ve always been a seeker of knowledge. I constantly want to learn more and develop new perspective and acquire more knowledge. I never considered myself as the most intelligent person, but I was definitely a sharp student in school.
My interests were mainly in the subjects Physics, English Literature and History. I also loved playing football and was the captain of my house football team, where we won the trophy three years straight.
My parents tell me that I solved puzzles very quickly as child and that I picked up language very quickly. However, I’ve gravitated more to music, writing, film and the arts as I’ve grown older.
During COVID, I was reading Stephen Hawking’s book The Grand Design and in general, theoretical physics has always intrigued me.
I was just curious to see whether I really was smart or not and finally decided to see where I stand when it comes to intelligence and do an IQ Test, although I’m a firm believer that IQ Tests don’t reveal the entire picture & really doesn’t mean too much in the grander scheme of things.
I did this test during COVID and completely forgot about it but as I was going through old emails, this popped up and I thought it’d be nice to share the insights from it.
How IQ Tests Work
IQ Test are quantifiable & tried and tested methods of measuring intellect & intelligence and it’s definitely better to test kids while they’re young as their ability to grasp and learn is much higher at that age.
“Modern intelligence tests often focus on abilities such as mathematical skills, memory, spatial perception, and language abilities. The capacity to see relationships, solve problems, and remember information are important components of intelligence, so these are often the skills on which IQ tests focus.” — Verywellmind
The BMI IQ test, tests people based on five parameters, which I’ve explained below based on my IQ Test results pdf.
Visual Perception
Abstract Reasoning
Pattern Recognition
Spatial Orientation
Analytical Thinking
Here is the link to the test: https://www.test-iq.org/
Visual Perception
Visual Perception is our ability to organize, process & interpret visual information. It is how we interpret and understand visual information and what we’re perceiving and experiencing. It can be integral to the learning and ability to absorb and learn faster. As explained in the image below.
Abstract Reasoning
Abstract Reasoning refers to the ability to understand and process new concepts and ideas without prior knowledge of them. Abstract Reasoning measures “general intelligence” and “fluid intelligence”, the latter of which is the ability to identify logical patterns and the ability to solve complex problems and apply knowledge. As shown below.
Pattern Recognition
Pattern Recognition as the name suggests, is the process of taking complex arrangements and patterns and organizing them for memory storage and retrieval. It’s explained in the image below.
Spatial Orientation
Spatial Orientation is to analyse spatial relations and the orientations of objects and space. It measures “raw intelligence” and cognitive skills which are not relying on acquired knowledge. It’s explained in the image below.
Analytical Thinking
Analytical Thinking is perhaps the most well known and understood term. It’s the ability to take information and break them down and then evaluate and form logical solutions and solve problems. As explained below.
My Results
While I’m not much of a person for self-promotion, despite my career choices, which entail more public recognition & popularity, especially when it comes to music, but I guess only time will tell about that, and I definitely prefer to live under the radar.
However, I scored “above average” in each of the parameters explained above. Here’s the breakdown of them.
Although I was slightly lower in Abstract Reasoning, it was still “above average”. While, rather surprisingly I scored a 100 in Analytical Thinking. Also my undergrad as a (B.E.) Engineer could have led to that, maybe.
However, I do wish I had studied Music, Film and Journalism instead of Engineering. But as Steve Jobs said in his speech to Stanford graduates, “you have to believe that it will come of use in the future” and to “connect the dots”.
So the final result is that my IQ is 110.
The general distribution of IQs of the worldwide population are shown in the picture below.
What it means, as shown in the pictures is that I’ve scored more than 74.57% of the worldwide population. It’s not the worst result and I have to say that I was rather surprised that I was close to the 115–130 category. I’m sort of happy with 110 but it would’ve been nice if it was higher.
Conclusion
I took this IQ Test when I was 30. And I’m sure if I had done it earlier, I would have scored higher. So I guess it’s essential that you test kids and teens at the right age, and then nurture their intelligence. Especially if they score really high and are naturally gifted.
However, I mean these things are just what you’re born with and genetics so this is essentially just random. Intelligence is also the ability to apply what you’ve learnt and as Einstein mentioned, ‘the ability to adapt to change’.
In life, perseverance, work ethic and dedication surpass the intelligence you’re born with. Also, the way you react to failure and the way you live your life and overcome the problems and hurdles you face is perhaps the greatest way to determine how smart you are and how successful you’ll be.
As this quote, by footballer Thierry Henry goes,
So “work, work, work”, while your peers and those around you are partying and having a good time. And “practice, practice, practice” as explained by the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant, in this motivational video. If you put in the hours, it will pay off in the end.
So, even if you don’t have a high IQ, don’t worry, work hard and apply yourself and persevere.