»IQ tests: Why the value of an intelligence test is limited«

IQ test have some value, but that should not be exaggerated.

Here comes my case against IQ tests

You can train to score more
The more tests you do, the better you score. And NO, your intelligence didn't change much. You simply learn what typical questions are asked and what typical answers are expected.

How to score more
I once read that Red Indians learn from their parents to finish the current task before getting to the next one. This can influence your score negatively if you are stuck on one question instead of skipping it and answer the next. This factor again can be sub-summarized under "How to train to score more"

What does an IQ test test?
I don't know. A real IQ test that would point out real life qualities would be: "Here are 1000 dollars. Now multiply them within 3 days." Or: "Here is a country, now rule it wisely". Or "Here are 2 parties fighting against each other, now bring peace". Or "Now here is your job. Manage to become the director in 1 year". Or "Here is your music studio. Now make a hit". Now that would be valuable real life intelligence and not some artificial question a la "What is the wrong number in this line?"

I know, that it's hard to make such a test (and probably life itself is the test, but this shows of what limited value IQ test statements are.

The problem with intelligencetest.com
Intelligencetest.com is a good domain name but a crappy test. IQ scores should go to at least 200. But this test has only 30 questions, thus it only goes to 130. What a nonsense is that? ANY genius could then be said to be always 130 or below, which is crap. Moreover ANY idiot would score 100 (if he answered everything wrongly), which is equally nonsense.

Typical nonsense questions like "What doesn't fit?"
I always shake my head with this questions like (original question from the intelligencetest.com):

"Which number doesn't fit? 6467, 9455, 7568, 3124, 9364"

It could be "6467" because it cannot be divided by 2 or 5
It could be "9455" because it is the only number ending with 2 same digits "5 5"
it could be "7568" because all others are approximately 3000 multiplied by 1, 2 or 3
It could be "3124" because the sum of 3+1+2+4 is the lowest (or because the number is the lowest)
It could be "9364" because it's the only number last digit is lower than the pre-last.

As you see you can always "invent" some crazy rules that fit any number.

Actually I think there is even a mathematical proof, that you can take ANY order of numbers and ANY number fits the question "What would be the next number?". There is always a formula.

The same applies to non-numbers:
"What doesn't fit here? Apples, Melons, Leaves, Mandarines"
It could be Apples, because it's the only item starting with a vowel.
It could Melons, because Melons don't grow on trees
It could Leaves, because Leaves are no fruits
It could be Mandarines, because all other items are green

Now, although one might find the possible answers too extreme one still can see the flaw in all these "What doesn't fit in this group?" questions.

Summary
So to sum it up: An IQ test tests only how good you are in scoring ... the IQ test. It gives only a rough estimate of someone's intelligence, and an even rougher estimate about someone's value.

posted by knn

ebooks-download.com

in-my-opinion.org -> Technology, Computers, Science, Internet -> Science (Assorted topics) -> IQ tests: Why the value of an intelligence test is limited

I'm just guessing here, but did you recently take an IQ test and score low? White laugh

Tardo

posted by Marlbro

Re: IQ tests: Why the value of an intelligenge test is limit

knn:

You can train to score more
The more tests you do, the better you score. And NO, your intelligence didn't change much. You simply learn what typical questions are asked and what typical answers are expected.

I was under the impression that learning was a prerequisite of intelligence.
Intelligence is usually said to involve mental capabilities such as the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend ideas and language, and learn.

knn:

What does an IQ test test?
I don't know. A real IQ test that would point out real life qualities would be: "Here are 1000 dollars. Now multiply them within 3 days." Or: "Here is a country, now rule it wisely". Or "Here are 2 parties fighting against each other, now bring peace". Or "Now here is your job. Manage to become the director in 1 year". Or "Here is your music studio. Now make a hit". Now that would be valuable real life intelligence and not some artificial question a la "What is the wrong number in this line?"

This is based on the false assumption that all successful people are intelligent and all unsuccessful people are as thick as horse shit...I don't agree...look at George W Bush, half man half chimp running the USA. White laugh

You heard right Zero Evil evil

posted by Marlbro

Marlbro:

I'm just guessing here, but did you recently take an IQ test and score low?

I always score high. Including the above mentioned test.

posted by knn

Marlbro:

So is George W. Bush successful or not? I don't see anything that disproves me.

posted by knn

here knn, if you are worried of the limit 130 not being high enough for you

highiqsociety.org…

there is a test that it says scores IQ's 180+ and it also said somewhere, i couldn't find it that no one has answered all the questions right before

oh and if you get a 126 or higher on any of their tests, you can become a member and you only have to pay dues...not sure what those dues buy you, i didn't read that far heh

posted by The ONEder Man

I know where you live. I will send a rape commando -- knn

There's a good but controversial book on this subject called The Mismeasure of Man by the late, great paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould.

en.wikipedia.org…

posted by holy_of_holies

knn:

So is George W. Bush successful or not? I don't see anything that disproves me.

I think you could say being the President of the USA is a bit of a successful career move, but I don't consider the man to be a particularly bright individual.

posted by Marlbro

Marlbro:

I think you could say being the President of the USA is a bit of a successful career move

Yes, this guy has some "Election Intelligence". It's his 3rd election he won

posted by knn

Bush has "election intelligence" ?
He's got a rich and influential father, but that's about it.

posted by anonymyuyous

anonymyuyous:

Bush has "election intelligence" ?

He won 3 hard elections. Case closed.

posted by knn

knn:

He won 3 hard elections. Case closed.

No that is wrong, would you attribute Paris Hiltons success to herself? No of course not.

No Gearge Bush did not win three election, Gearge Bush and Co did they (including his rich father and Jesus christ) won the elections , Bush just stood there like a good ol boy, yeehaaaa.

knn:

He won 3 hard elections

Yes and a kid who cheats on his exam is smart.

posted by Kupov

Kupov:

No that is wrong, would you attribute Paris Hiltons success to herself? No of course not.

So, you're saying her looks ( though some say she's ugly, she's not that ugly) don't count as part of her success?

Kupov:

No Gearge Bush did not win three election, Gearge Bush and Co did they (including his rich father and Jesus christ) won the elections

So, half of the voting population in america are idiots. I see.

posted by sangu

sangu:

So, half of the voting population in america are idiots. I see.

Where in hell does it say that? it looks to me like i said this

Kupov:

No Gearge Bush did not win three election, Gearge Bush and Co did they (including his rich father and Jesus christ)

Since apparently you missunderstood me allow me to clarify, Gearge Bush did not plan the election himself he just stood there and looked pretty, he was not respnsible for winning the election.

sangu:

So, you're saying her looks ( though some say she's ugly, she's not that ugly) don't count as part of her success?

Nope there are many more beautifull women, she is simply famous because she is rich and a whore. Disgusting

posted by Kupov

So who are the 'real' people involved for paris's success?

Kupov:

Since apparently you missunderstood me allow me to clarify, Gearge Bush did not plan the election himself he just stood there and looked pretty, he was not respnsible for winning the election.

Nope you didn't catch it. (by the way, you must have some great info, how did you know he was a puppet all along?)

Who would be stupid enough to vote for a guy because his father used to be a president? You vote for a guy, for who he is. Maybe some people would be conned for that, but I would think that people voted for him because they agreed for what he stood for. So he does have 'election intelligence', whatever that is.

posted by sangu

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