IQ testing

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Normal brain anatomy

Overview

IQ testing

Definition:

IQ tests are a series of assessments used to determine the general intelligence, or "intelligence quotient" (IQ), of an individual in relation to other people the same age.

Alternative Names:

Intelligence testing

Information:

There are many IQ tests used today, and the question of whether they measure actual intelligence or simply certain abilities continues to be controversial.

The Wechsler test is the most standardized and widely used exam. Average test results range from 90 - 110:

A score below 70 indicates mental retardation.
A person who scores 130 or higher is usually considered gifted, although different programs set different levels for this classification.
A person with a score of 165 or higher is usually classified a genius.

IQ tests measure a specific functioning ability and may not accurately assess a person's talents or future potential. Results of any intelligence test may be culturally biased.

Review Date: 12/1/2004
Reviewed By: James W. Dilley, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.