How to Test Your IQ: Finding the Right Assessment for You

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Plus, how to understand your score & how it compares to others
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The best way to test your IQ is to take an assessment administered by a professional (like a psychologist or trained administrator). Although IQ tests are usually a measurement of your raw ability, taking practice tests and practicing stress-relief tactics can help you prepare for the test. Once your IQ has been assessed, research what the scores mean to best interpret your IQ score.

Taking an Official IQ Test

Go to a licensed psychologist or official testing center to get your IQ tested. Rather than receiving an inaccurate score from an online IQ test, visit a professional who can give you the right test for your age group and demographic, such as the Stanford-Binet or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS).

Section 1 of 6:

Choosing an IQ Test: 6 Popular Options

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  1. Step 1 Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
    The WAIS tests your verbal and performance-based IQ, and it's appropriate for individuals over the age of 16. This IQ test is the primary assessment used to measure cognitive ability by professionals. Currently, the test involves IQ measurement on four scales: verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed.[1]
    • The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) is available for children ages 6-16, and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) is an accurate IQ assessment for children ages 2-7.[2]
    • The WAIS is not considered an accurate IQ measurement for extremely high or low IQs (above 160 or below 40).[3]
    • The Weschler IQ test must be administered by a certified individual or institution. Search online for psychologists or educational institutions that administer the test near you.
    • Accommodations may be available for those with disabilities. Contact your test administrator beforehand if you have a visual, audial, or other disability.
  2. Step 2 Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale
    The Stanford-Binet test assesses the IQ of children and adolescents. Although this IQ test can be used for adults, it was initially developed for children and is best suited for young children, adolescents, and young adults.[4]
    • It is not uncommon for preschoolers to receive a low score on the Stanford-Binet assessment, not because of their intelligence but their unwillingness to cooperate.
    • The Stanford-Binet IQ test should be administered by a certified psychologist or trained administrator. Search online for psychologists or educational institutions that administer the test in your area.
    • If you have any sort of testing disability (visual, audial, etc.), contact your test administrator ahead of time for accommodation options.
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  3. Step 3 Mensa Admissions Test
    Mensa International offers membership to their community for those with high IQs as recorded on their own or other authorized IQ tests. The Mensa admissions test is one of the most widely available IQ measurements and the most affordable. The test is administered at set times during the year and costs $60 USD.[5]
    • Generally, the Mensa assessment takes around two hours.
    • Contact your nearest Mensa office for information on taking their qualifying IQ test.
    • Mensa International only accepts members with an IQ within the top 2% of the general population. Don't beat yourself up if you don't meet the minimum requirement. Intelligence is much more than your IQ score.
    • Accommodations may be available for those with visual, auditory, or other types of disability. Contact a test administrator ahead of time for a full list of options.
  4. Step 4 Woodcock-Johnson (WJ) Test of Cognitive Abilities
    The WJ tests are designed to measure both verbal and nonverbal skills, including memory, reasoning, phonological awareness, and problem-solving abilities. This type of IQ test is often used in educational or therapeutic environments to determine cognitive strengths and weaknesses, monitor developmental progress, and identify potential learning abilities.[6]
    • The Woodcock-Johnson test can be administered to persons between 2 and 90+ years of age.
    • The Woodcock-Johnson IQ test must be individually administered by a certified psychologist or other certified professional. Search online for psychologists or educational institutions that administer the test in your city or town.
    • If you have any audial, visual, or other disabilities that may affect your test score, let your test administrator know ahead of time so that they can provide accommodations.
  5. Step 5 Raven’s Progressive Matrices (RPM)
    Raven’s Progressive Matrices is an IQ test that assesses observational skills and ability. Raven’s is a particularly lauded assessment because it is suitable for non-verbal adults and children, meaning it can assess mental ability and fluid intelligence without relying on spoken language. Therefore, this assessment tends to be less culturally biased and ableist.[7]
    • The Raven’s Progressive Matrices test must be individually administered by a certified psychologist or educational professional. Search online for psychologists or educational institutions that administer the test in your area.
  6. Step 6 Brain Metrics Initiative (BMI) IQ Test
    While not an official test, the BMI IQ test claims to be one of the more reliable online IQ tests because its results are comparable to official tests like the WAIS and Stanford-Binet. You can take the 20-question demo assessment for free here, although you must pay to access your score.
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Section 2 of 6:

Taking an IQ Test

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  1. Step 1 Take online practice IQ tests to prepare yourself for the assessment.
    Studying for an IQ test can be tough, especially because most are meant to measure your raw intellectual potential. Familiarizing yourself with sample questions and the different sections of the IQ test, however, could help you to boost your test score.[8]
    • Mensa International offers a free "IQ Challenge" online.
    • However, give yourself a 24-hour break before the test so that you don’t exhaust your brain. The day before the exam, preserve your energy by watching a movie or going for a long walk.
  2. Step 2 Get plenty of rest and nutrition leading up to your IQ test.
    Get a full night's sleep (7–9 hours) the night before so you can enter the testing location ready to perform well. If you can't sleep from nerves, try a calming technique.[9] In the morning before the test, eat a protein-rich breakfast: eggs, yogurt, nuts, and raw vegetables are all great choices.[10]
    • Avoid foods made from white flour or refined sugar, which take more energy to digest.
    • Stay hydrated, too. Drink plenty of water before the exam, and bring a water bottle with you to drink before you enter the testing room.
    • However, avoid drinking caffeine the day of your IQ test, as this can cause agitation.
  3. Step 3 Practice visualization and stress relief techniques before the test.
    Use positive visualization to imagine yourself doing well on the IQ test. Picture yourself doing the best you can do and feeling satisfied. If you’re still feeling stressed in the days or hours (or minutes!) leading up to the assessment, practice a stress-relief technique like meditation or deep breathing.[11]
    • A little stress can be positive, as it's the body's way of telling you to focus. Excessive stress, however, is detrimental and can limit your cognitive functioning.
  4. Step 4 Wear comfortable clothes to the test.
    Itchy sweaters, a shirt tag poking against your skin, or uncomfortable shoes could distract you from the questions. Avoid wearing new or overly formal clothes to your IQ test. Save your Sunday best for dances or job interviews, and wear clothes you enjoy to the assessment, like your comfiest pair of jeans or leggings and a loose T-shirt.[12]
    • Showing up in your pajamas may seem enticing, but opt for a balance of comfort and style. Flattering clothes can help you feel confident and ready to do your best.
  5. Step 5 Read the directions carefully before and during your test.
    One common mistake people make on IQ assessments is not properly interpreting the directions. Don't quickly glance at the questions and assume you read them correctly. Pore over each word and re-read them at least once. Review every question before giving your final answer.[13]
  6. Step 6 Focus on yourself rather than other test-takers.
    In a stressful situation like taking an IQ test, you may feel intimidated by the people around you. If people seem to finish before you or look calmer as they answer the questions, you may lose your confidence. Keep your attention on yourself to prevent excessive worrying.
  7. Step 7 Use your time wisely.
    IQ tests are generally timed. If there is a clock in the room, keep an eye on approximately how much time you have left. Pace yourself. If a question is too difficult, move on to the next one and come back if you can.[14]
    • If you can choose which questions you answer first, spend your time on the easiest questions. This approach will build your self-esteem and allow you to answer as many questions as possible in the allotted time.
    • Divide your time limit between the questions or sections so you can plan to tackle every question.[15]
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Section 3 of 6:

Understanding Your IQ Score

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  1. Step 1 Compare your IQ score to the general and demographic average.
    The average IQ score across the general population of IQ test-takers is 100. Anything below 80 indicates a potential deficiency and anything above 120 is considered high intelligence. 68% of the population falls in the 85-115 range.
    • However, your score may also fluctuate based on which IQ test you took—scores between the WAIS and the Stanford-Binet scale vary by several points, for instance.
    • You can also look at the percentile you placed in to get a clear idea of how your IQ score compares to the general population. If your score is in the 70th percentile, for example, this means that you have scored higher than 70% of others in your age demographic.[16]
    • Read your score as scaled, not linear. An IQ score of 50, for example, is not half the capabilities of a score of 100.
  2. Step 2 Along with the overall average, compare your score to your age group.
    Although IQ stays relatively stable over a single person’s lifetime, it may be worth comparing your score to the average IQ scores for other people in your age range to get a sense of where you fall.[17] Here are some of the average IQ scores for different age groups:[18]
    • Teens & Young Adults: 16–17 y.o. (108), 18–19 y.o. (105), 20–24 y.o. (99).
    • Middle-Aged Adults: 24–34 y.o. (97), 35–44 y.o. (101), 45–54 y.o. (106).
    • Older Adults: 55–64 y.o. (109), 65–69 y.o. (114), 70–74 y.o. (119).
    • However, make sure you’ve taken the correct test for your age group in order to get an accurate IQ score.
    • Also, remember that IQ tests are designed with age in mind, so getting a high score when you are young is not any more or less impressive than getting a higher score at an older age. In other words, a 12-year-old with an IQ of 143 is not "better" than a 30-year-old with an IQ of 143.
  3. Step 3 Check if you qualify for Mensa International.
    Mensa is the oldest and largest high-IQ society, especially in the United States and England. Scores in the 98th percentile or higher qualify for Mensa. You will need a 130 or higher on the WAIS test or at least a 132 on the Stanford-Binet test to qualify for Mensa. However, Mensa accepts a variety of other tests with varying qualifying scores.[19]
    • If you have scored a high enough IQ to join Mensa, submit your test results on their website.
  4. Step 4 While interpreting your IQ score, avoid equating it with your potential.
    Intelligence is much more multi-layered than a single test could measure. IQ tests only measure verbal and academic potential. Intelligence comes in many other facets (such as social or artistic), which an IQ test cannot measure. View your IQ test score as a facet of your ability, not the full reflection.[20]
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Section 4 of 6:

What is an IQ test?

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  1. An IQ test is a standardized assessment that measures one’s cognitive and reasoning abilities.
    Short for “intelligence quotient test,” IQ tests include questions that assess how someone interprets and uses logic and information to answer questions or form predictions. The typical IQ test will consist of multiple choice questions aimed at verbal, non-verbal, problem-solving, and logical reasoning skills—although specific questions and targeted abilities may vary.[21]
Section 5 of 6:

What is IQ?

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  1. Intelligence quotient (IQ) is a measure of how one processes information, logic, and reasoning compared to others.
    The first IQ test was created in 1904 by Alfred Binet, a psychologist who believed that intelligence was not genetic but a combination of many different skills influenced by environment and experience. Binet hoped that teachers would use his research and assessment to adjust their methods to the individual learning styles of their students.[22]
    • The purpose and usage of IQ as a measurement tool evolved over the years, with more and more IQ tests emerging that assessed different skills in different ways.
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Section 6 of 6:

Frequently Asked Questions About IQ Testing

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  1. Step 1 How is IQ tested?
    IQ is tested with an IQ assessment, of which there are many different types. A reliable IQ test, however, tests one’s IQ by asking questions designed to get an idea of someone’s general intelligence level.[23] Some IQ tests test general knowledge (or “crystallized” intelligence), while others may measure logic and reasoning skills (or “fluid” intelligence).[24]
    • Depending on how an individual’s brain works and their individual strengths, they may score higher or lower on one type of test versus another.
    • The type of IQ test that a person takes will also depend on their age, culture, and purpose (i.e., for a job vs. a Mensa qualification).
  2. Step 2 Are IQ tests accurate?
    Experts still debate the accuracy and usefulness of the IQ test, largely due to the vast departure from the original purpose of the test to how it's used today. Originally, the IQ test was designed to help teachers understand and adapt to their students’ learning styles (although some people of that time period also used IQ tests to justify the sterilization of people with extremely low scores).[25]
    • Now, it's used as a general measure of so-called intelligence, which can sometimes limit or exclude certain people from being viewed as intelligent.[26]
    • Some people believe that IQ tests don’t give an overall assessment of intelligence or even truly test for intelligence at all. Rather, they evaluate one very specific skill (i.e., the ability to quickly process and interpret information) but not other forms of intelligence or ability.[27]
    • Other groups, including the American Psychological Association, argue that IQ testing should continue, but with more research to maximize learning opportunities rather than create barriers to measured intelligence.
  3. Step 3 What are the differences between aptitude tests and IQ tests?
    Aptitude tests assess a specific set of skills and abilities, providing individual scores for each. On the other hand, an IQ test seeks to measure overall intelligence and only provides one summarized score. An aptitude test also will not factor in age, while an IQ test does.
    • IQ tests are also mainly used for research and education purposes, and they’re not considered to be highly predictive of job performance.[28] Aptitude tests, however, are thought to be able to predict whether or not someone will succeed in a workplace.[29]
    • Standardized, game-based, and pre-employment assessments are often considered to be aptitude tests.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    I am a fifth grader and my IQ is 145. Is this normal or low?
    Paul Chernyak, LPC
    Paul Chernyak, LPC
    Licensed Professional Counselor
    Paul Chernyak is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Chicago. He graduated from the American School of Professional Psychology in 2011.
    Paul Chernyak, LPC
    Paul Chernyak, LPC
    Licensed Professional Counselor
    Expert Answer
    This is considered incredibly high when compared to a normal distribution. I would suggest getting your IQ tested by a professional for an accurate reading.
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  • Question
    What factors can lower my IQ?
    Paul Chernyak, LPC
    Paul Chernyak, LPC
    Licensed Professional Counselor
    Paul Chernyak is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Chicago. He graduated from the American School of Professional Psychology in 2011.
    Paul Chernyak, LPC
    Paul Chernyak, LPC
    Licensed Professional Counselor
    Expert Answer
    Taking certain medications, abusing alcohol, and not staying mentally active can all contribute to lowering of IQ. Mental diseases like Alzheimer's can contribute as well.
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Tips

  • There are many free, unofficial online IQ tests. However, these online assessments tend to be highly inaccurate. If you do choose to take an IQ test online, do your research to make sure it’s an accredited assessment (unless you’re just taking the test for fun).
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  • Most IQ tests cost money, and some are more expensive than others. IQ tests that claim they're free are usually untrustworthy.
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  • IQ tests can be biased if not in your native language. Take an IQ test in a language you're fluent in for the most accurate results.
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Tips from our Readers

  • Don’t be upset if you don’t score near genius level. Be happy with who you are and remember that only 2% of the population are like that. If you are a genius, don’t boast.
  • Your abilities change over the years, as well as how you look at things. I don't work through problem like I did when I was a child. You can change and improve your scores.
  • Your IQ is truly meaningless. Focus your self value on what you achieve and not on only what you have been given.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/psychological-testing-wechsler-adult-intelligence-scale/
  2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4884732/
  3. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12801187/
  4. ↑ https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2012-09043-010
  5. ↑ https://www.us.mensa.org/join/testing/
  6. ↑ https://www.txautism.net/evaluations/woodcock-johnson-tests-of-cognitive-abilities-fourth-edition
  7. ↑ https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4615-0153-4_11
  8. ↑ http://www.iqtestexperts.com/mensa-iq-test.php
  9. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12674250/
  1. ↑ https://www.usu.edu/academic-support/files/TestTakingTips.pdf
  2. ↑ https://nursing.lsuhsc.edu/academicsuccessprogram/strategiestestanxiety.aspx
  3. ↑ https://its.dekalb.k12.ga.us/Downloads/Tech%20Cafe'%20Test%20Taking%20Tips%20-%20Copy.pdf
  4. ↑ https://cdn.careerconnect.uog.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2022/04/intelligence_analyst_candidate_information_packet.pdf
  5. ↑ https://iq-tests.org/how-to-take-an-iq-test.html
  6. ↑ https://www.oxford-royale.co.uk/articles/managing-time-exam.html
  7. ↑ http://www.iqcomparisonsite.com/iqtable.aspx
  8. ↑ https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/intelligence-over-time
  9. ↑ https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/45469/20230817/what-average-iq-scores-per-age-exploring-intelligence-quotient-ranges.htm
  10. ↑ https://www.us.mensa.org/join/testscores/qualifying-test-scores/
  11. ↑ http://education.seattlepi.com/pros-cons-iq-testing-schools-2014.html
  12. ↑ https://lsa.umich.edu/psych/news-events/all-news/archived-news/2014/02/what-your-iq-score-doesn-t-tell-you.html
  13. ↑ https://via.library.depaul.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1270&context=law-review
  14. ↑ https://som.yale.edu/news/2009/11/why-high-iq-doesnt-mean-youre-smart
  15. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/fluid-vs-crystallized-intelligence
  16. ↑ https://via.library.depaul.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1270&context=law-revie
  17. ↑ https://www.apa.org/topics/intelligence/testing
  18. ↑ https://lsa.umich.edu/psych/news-events/all-news/archived-news/2014/02/what-your-iq-score-doesn-t-tell-you.html
  19. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4557354/
  20. ↑ https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/do-aptitude-tests-really-predict-your-performance.html

About This Article

Allison Broennimann, PhD
Reviewed by:
Allison Broennimann, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
This article was reviewed by Allison Broennimann, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophie Burkholder, BA. Dr. Allison Broennimann is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a private practice based in the San Francisco Bay Area providing psychotherapy and neuropsychology services. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Broennimann specializes in in-depth psychotherapy to provide solution-focused treatments for anxiety, depression, relationship problems, grief, adjustment problems, traumatic stress, and phase-of-life transitions. And as part of her neuropsychology practice, she integrates depth psychotherapy and cognitive rehabilitation for those recovering after traumatic brain injury. Dr. Broennimann holds a BA in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an MS and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University. She is licensed by the California Board of Psychology and is a member of the American Psychological Association. This article has been viewed 793,283 times.
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Co-authors: 47
Updated: August 26, 2024
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Categories: Featured Articles | Intelligence
Article SummaryX

To test your IQ, take the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale test if you're over the age of 16, or take the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale test if you're 16 years old or younger. If you're on a budget, sign up to take the Mensa admissions test, which includes an IQ test. You can also take free IQ tests online, but keep in mind that these tests often have inaccurate scores and aren't considered a real measurement of IQ. To learn how to prepare for an IQ test, scroll down!

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