How Much Useful is IQ Test?

by Yusuff Ademola A.

The use of Intelligence test is a controversial issue which has attracted the attention of parents and school administrators. Parents want the best education for their children. Therefore, they are eager to know the level their children belong. Similarly, the school administrators are under pressure to make sure that students perform well in standardized tests. Hence, it makes sense that schools conduct intelligence test to assess students’ learning potentialities and try to improve the standard of education.

For this reason, intelligence test has become most widely used tool. The effectiveness of a testing tool depends on the skill, scientific knowledge and competency of its users. It is not mainly for categorizing or labeling, but rather, to know the area of strength and weaknesses of each student.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ) test has various strengths which benefit the school, teacher, parents and students alike. Nevertheless, IQ test has received numerous criticisms, which majorly might affect the students with learning disabilities. Some of these limitations and criticisms include labeling, lack of diversity and the issue of validity of IQ tests.

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines IQ as: “A number that represents a person’s level of intelligence based on the score of a special test.”

From a medical dictionary, IQ is defined as: “A number used to express the apparent relative intelligence of a person based on the results of standardized testing.”

Thus, IQ tests are standardized tests which are administered to know the level of intelligence of a person. Examples of IQ tests include Stanford – Binet Intelligence scale, Wechsler intelligence scale, Kaufman assessment battery for children, and Reynolds intellectual assessment scales.

IQ tests identify gifted students and those who need extra attention. This is one of the strengths of IQ tests. IQ tests can be administered on children as early as pre-school. It helps teacher to divide students into groups sharing equal level of ability and to identify children at risk.Identifying students with below average IQ will help teachers and school administrators to provide extra attention and accommodations for such students.

The result of IQ test can be used to determine the students with learning difficulties, which consequently will help in adjusting the learning techniques to fit the students. It will also help for referral – to any therapist or medical practitioner – in case there is need for any, and for selection of right intervention.

IQ tests identify potentiality for academic achievement and consequently benefit the society. It helps teachers and parents to maximize the skills of the students who score high on IQ test. This helps society keeps a steady supply of people who can provide benefits to the society.

Other strengths of IQ tests include prediction of success in a variety of activities, measurement of students’ ability to perform socially and academically, provision of a standardized method of comparing students’ abilities and performance, and help to tailor education to individual needs.

IQ test has received numerous criticisms and limitations; which its outcome majorly affect the students with learning disabilities. Some of these limitations are discussed below.

Scoring below average in IQ test causes discrimination by labeling students as dull or stupid. This is one of unethical practices which arise as a result of IQ test score. Labeling affects both who score high and below average in IQ test; if a student is always told that he is smart, he might assume that everything is easy, and perhaps, will give up whenever he comes across a difficult task. Similarly, a child labelled dull or stupid – due to his low performance in IQ test – is also likely to give up on many tasks because he might feel that he is dull and cannot achieve his goals.

IQ test limits student potential and perpetuate stereotypes within a classroom setting. Greg Machek of Indiana University notes in a paper titled "Brief History of the Measurement of Intelligence" that minorities and economically-challenged typically score worse than the better-off, white counterparts. Upon receiving the result of a poor IQ test, a student may believe that she is "stupid" or less intelligent than her peers when it is not her fault. Similarly, better-off students with better scores might look down or unfairly class other students because of their scores.

IQ test does not measure overall competence of students. IQ test does not consider multidimensional nature of intelligence. Therefore, it does not test all situations that show intelligent behaviors; such as competence in social situations, positive relationship and creativity.

Scoring high or below average score in IQ test does not accurately predict success or failure in the future. Robert Sternberg, who is known for his Triarchic Theory of Intelligence, did poorly on intelligence test as a schoolboy, yet he is now a Professor of Psychology at Yale University.

Questions have been raised regarding how important and valid IQ test is, and what exactly it measures. Howard Gardner identified seven different forms of intelligence, but IQ test typically measures only verbal and mathematical abilities. IQ test does not measure patience, fortitude and desire to succeed which are more important qualities than mere intelligence.

In conclusion, it is understood that IQ test is an important tool which can be used to measure the strengths and weaknesses of students. Therefore, it helps teachers and parents to maximize students' skills and provide right intervention in the areas of their weaknesses. Nevertheless, IQ test also has numerous limitations, but despite of its limitation, it provides important information about the individuals when used properly by a trained and expert psychometrist. 

Thank you for reading.