Running Head: IQ TESTS

How Accurate/Valid Are IQ Tests?

Eduardo Murillo
University of Memphis

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In recent years, debates have sparked over the effectiveness of Intelligence

Quotient, also known as IQ, tests. Many people believe that if one has a high IQ score,
that they are to be considered intelligent. Others argue that there is a much larger picture
at play rather than any standard exams. The latter half of people believe that intelligence
cannot be measured by any one test, but that true intelligence must be observed over time
in order to measure just how intelligent one is. This paper will demonstrate why IQ tests
are beneficial, but do not grasp the entire concept. IQ tests have existed for many years
now and are now an outdated relic of the past.
Standard conventional tests only assess a narrow sampling of the abilities
required for success in school and in life. (Sternberg 1) As this quote shows, IQ tests
follow the conventional one size fits all method of determining how intelligent one is.
Unfortunately, these tests only focus on how proficient one is in relation to school
subjects. IQ tests give no space for creativity. This type of testing completely disregards
those who although may not do well in the conventional academic subjects, may have
true talent for other subjects such as the fine arts. One does not have to achieve excellent
grades in order to be considered intelligent. If a person is a prodigy at playing piano but
lacks in math, that person would not be considered to be lesser in any way. In fact, that
person would still be praised for having such amazing ability despite not being the best at
mathematics. Intelligence is not limited to academic subjects. The augmented theory of
successful intelligence asserts that intelligence involves creative skills in producing new
ideas, analytical skills in evaluating whether the ideas are good ones, practical skills in
putting the ideas into practice and in convincing other people of the value of the ideas,
and wisdom-based skills in confirming that one is using one's knowledge and skills to

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serve a common good. (Sternberg 1) By this definition, there is no possibility that

intelligence has a way of being measured by means of a test. Even the most uneducated
person can prove to be intelligent if they are able to utilize their potential. Intelligence
stems from creativity. By using ones mind to solve problems and unique and innovative
ways, then that person can definitely be seen as intelligent. On the other hand, if one does
exceedingly well on standardized tests but lacks any sense of creativity that does not
mean that the individual lacks any intelligence. That only means that the person has no
ability to think outside of conventional standards. But there is far more to examining
intelligence than any test. Although one may do well on the ACT, that does not mean that
person is destined to go to Harvard and is ensured a successful life. Ones study habits,
strength of will, and other immeasurable factors come into play. One may do
astoundingly well on standardized tests but lacks any healthy study habits. That does not
show any signs of true intelligence, just a general knack for doing well on tests. But if we
follow the standardized format of measuring intelligence, then this person would be
considered to be very intelligent regardless of what horrible study habits he/she
possesses.
The origin of the IQ test dates back to the early 20th century. As such, it has
evolved to fit the standards of the modern classroom. Unfortunately, this method of
measuring intelligence is extremely outdated as schools are taking new and innovative
approaches to teaching in classrooms. The idea that an IQ test is suitable for all people is
as outdated as the IQ test itself. No two people share the exact same mindset and as such
the way in which their intelligence is measured should vary from person to person. It

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would be unfair to force all people to fit into this frame in order to conveniently measure
intelligence.
If IQ testing were to become more accurate, the format would have to change in
order to be answered in a more freestyle writing method. If this were the case, then the
test would allow for more creativity and open thinking. If one is to be tested, that person
would need to be acknowledged for their word usage, grammar, and other factors that
need to be considered. It is simply not enough for one to be able to choose which answers
are correct from a multiple choice format. In these situations, guessing gives you a 25%
chance of success and who knows how well that would go. Those who believe that IQ
testing is still effective are definitely those who had taken it long ago. Those people
believe that since standardized testing has a grasp on the intelligence of the general
population, that the test is effective in knowing the overall intelligence of people. There
have been people who made outstanding scores on the ACT but did not do very well
academically. On the other hand, there are people who do terribly on standardized testing
but excel academically due to hard work and perseverance. IQ testing does not account
for the hard work and effort in order to do well academically. If IQ testing was accurate,
it would invalidate the concept of hard work that one is able to do in order to do well in
school. If one is able to adjust to their struggles in school and work diligently in order to
maintain good grades, then that is a sure sign of intelligence. Adaptation is a sure sign of
intelligence that IQ testing cannot account for. As such, there are many factors that
pertain to intelligence that are not accounted for. Emotion, free thought, creativity,
adaptation, and perseverance are just a few of the factors that come into play when
measuring intelligence that cannot be measured by standardized tests.

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The scope of knowledge that IQ tests evaluate is very narrow indeed. These
standardized tests all have pre-made questions that only question the knowledge that we
gain from school. These tests have no way of testing what one would do in certain
situations and how we would respond to them. Intelligence does not come from choosing
a multiple choice answer from a test that does not evaluate them properly. Intelligence is
measures in many more ways that need to be evaluated in a course of months, possibly
years. Unfortunately, this method is not plausible as it requires a long period of time in
order to evaluate someone to the fullest. This leads one to believe that there is no true
way to measure how intelligent one is. There is just no way to know what potential one
has until they push themselves to use all of their ability.
If one were to be evaluated for the intelligence, it would have to be through
viewing of their grades as they progress. This way, one could be evaluated for their
progression, work ethic, and level of intelligence. Ones grades are the only true way to
know how well one is doing because grades are earned over a period of time, using a
compilation of different grades in order to add up to the final grade. Since these grades
are earned over time, it gives space for adaptation so that the student has sufficient time
to work hard and prove his/her worth. This method of evaluation is a lot more effective
than IQ testing because the person is evaluated over time instead of simply taking a test
that may not suit his/her needs.
IQ testing is no longer valid in our modern society. IQ testing gives you a grasp
on the general intelligence but does not fit each individual. IQ tests are much like one
size fits all clothing: Sure it may seem relatively comfortable for most people, but it is not
made for the individual and is rarely a perfect fit. Humans are just too different from one

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another and their levels of intelligence vary greatly. One person may excel in one aspect
while another may excel in another. This does not mean one person is higher or lower
than any other person. One job that IQ tests do well is making people feel superior or
inferior to others through numbers. If one is to quantize intelligence, IQ testing is the way
to make someone feel inferior due to a lower score, although the difference in abilities
between the two individuals is minimal.
All people are special and no two people are alike. The types of intelligence vary
from person to person and it is not possible to measure just how intelligent one is, due to
factors that cannot be determined. Each person has a certain level of intelligence that
another person might not have. Knowing where your strong suit lies is similar to
choosing a major, you decide on a course youre passionate about and you pursue a
career on that course. IQ testing is not tailor made for each individual and therefore does
not give a valid evaluation on ones true intelligence.

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7
Bibliography

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IQ tests. European Journal Of Education And Psychology, 876-84.
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Stuebing, K. K., Fletcher, J. M., LeDoux, J. M., Lyon, G. R., Shaywitz, S. E., &
Shaywitz, B. A. (2002). Validity of IQ-Discrepancy Classifications of Reading
Disabilities: A Meta-Analysis. American Educational Research Journal, (2). 469.
Zhao, J. J., & Zhao, S. Y. (2010). The Impact of IQ+EQ+CQ Integration on Student
Productivity in Web Design and Development. Journal Of Information Systems
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