Discover your intellectual strengths
Can intelligence increase?
IQ test scores have been shown to increase during childhood and level off shortly after adolescence, however plenty of studies have shown that it is possible for you to continually hone your test taking skills and improve on any ability you wish, for as long as you wish. Many experts liken the brain to a muscle which can be strengthened with practice. Latest neuro research emphasizing the brain's plasticity and ability to create new synapses confirm these findings. There is also considerable reasearch linking nutrition to improvements in mental abilities.
Why is there considered to be cultural bias in intelligence testing?
Various cultures have different definitions of intelligence from each other. They value different behaviors as more intelligent than others. In addition, some of the materials used in IQ tests may be totally foreign to certain cultures, thus creating inequalities and biases. It is interesting to note that IQ scores have increased so much over the 20th century that most of today's test takers would be considered 'geniuses' by 1900 standards. This has been labelled the Flynn effect, and since we know that inborn intelligence could never rise to such a degree in such a short period of time, the increase in IQ scores can only be attributed to environmental forces. Thus we should take great care whenever we compare IQ scores between cultures, even with the use of so-called culture free IQ tests.
What cannot be assessed through traditional IQ tests?
Tasks which are practical or creative in nature are not easily assessed through traditional IQ tests. In addition, emotional intelligence, which amongst other things, helps us perceive and manage our emotions, is addressed through separate tests. Therefore your IQ should not be regarded as the most important indicator of future success, but rather as an evaluation of the specific skills that are measured and reported by the test.
What is a normal distribution of data?
A normal distribution of data means that most of the examples in a set of data are close to the "average," while relatively few examples tend to one extreme or the other. All normally distributed data will have something like a "bell curve" shape.
What is a standard deviation?
The standard deviation is a statistic that tells you how tightly all the various examples are clustered around the mean in a set of data. When the examples are pretty tightly bunched together and the bell-shaped curve is steep, the standard deviation is small. When the examples are spread apart and the bell curve is relatively flat, that tells you you have a relatively large standard deviation.