Chances are you’re looking for some help understanding your IQ test scores if you’ve landed on this page. First, the good news — one test result does not a definitive IQ score make.
In fact, experts suggest that it is possible to boost your IQ test scores as much as 10 or 15 points through mental training. IQ games, puzzles, exercises and books are designed to train your mind can help you to learn better, and respond better, during IQ tests.
That said, a person’s IQ is pretty much established by the time they are in their teens. IQ testscores taken from when you are child won’t be that far off the mark when you compare them to your adult IQ tests scores. And some IQ factors are totally beyond your control. Things like birth order can be a factor — recent studies have shown that first-born children have higher IQs, perhaps because they often get more mental stimulation than their younger siblings.
Recent studies are also suggesting that having a dark sense of humor could be a sign of greater intelligence. Who knew!
But does that mean that you should just accept your IQ score and stop making an effort to learn? That you never get any smarter as you age? Absolutely not!
More and more science is suggesting that it’s important to stay alert and active as we age. It helps reduce the cognitive decline that’s a natural part of aging. So instead of turning on the telly, tack a spin with a Sudoku puzzle. Your brain will thank you.
IQ Test Scores: What’s Normal?
IQ test scales have been adjusted over the years to account for changes in intelligence. What has stayed consistent is the scale we use to measure intelligence.
Normal intelligence is reflected by a score of 100. Anything above that — you are better than average. Your IQ is less than 100? Well, that indicates that you might have lower than average IQ…or maybe you had a bad day when you took your test?
Here’s a chart that summarizes IQ test scores:
You can read all about the IQ test scale here.
There’s also plenty of info on normal IQ scores here.
Making Sense of Your IQ Test Score
IQ test scores develop the relationship between your mental age and your chronological age. That means that when you take the test, your age is taken into consideration. The fact that you get better at answering the questions (as you age and benefit from life experience) is offset by the fact that your chronological age has increased, too!
IQ test scores are calculated with the following formula:
IQ test score/mental age X 100 = IQ (intelligence quotient)
Have Your Reached Your Peak Performance?
Some experts suggest that individuals reach their peak intelligence at age 48, while others suggest that we reach our peak no later than age 25. The truth is that your intelligence scores will likely vary a bit over the years, depending on the type of test you take, and your response to it.
Recent studies have shown that the IQ test scores of teenagers can vary pretty dramatically. Lesson learned? Don’t put too much stock in the IQ test results of teenagers. They aren’t as reliable as those for more mature folk.
Generally speaking, if you are tired, hungry, grumpy or distracted, you are less likely to score well on an IQ test, as well.
It’s best to take an IQ test when you are ready – and what better way to do that than to take an online IQ test where you can choose the time and place that is most convenient for you?
If you feel up to the challenge of testing your brainpower now, these sites will let you take an iq test free of charge.
And if you don’t feel ready just yet, read on for more advice on ways to pump up your brainpower!
You Are What You Eat: Diet And Brainpower
More and more research is linking higher IQs to diet and environment. Some studies even suggest that pregnant women can give their children an intellectual head start by consuming certain foods.
Neuroscientists at the University of New Mexico have suggested that diet — particularly levels of certain chemicals in the brain — can contribute significantly to IQ. Low levels of choline and high levels of NAA (N-acetylaspartate) have been associated with higher IQs.
Learn more about IQ diet tips here.
It may sound hard to believe, but there really is an IQ Diet out there. A number of foods (like liver, fish and green vegetables) are linked to higher IQ, and there are even some herbal supplement and vitamin suggestions (things like Ginkgo Biloba, iron and Vitamin B12).
Definitely worth a look.
Nature or Nurture?
Most experts agree that the main factor in determining IQ is heredity. That means that you can thank your parents — or blame them, as the case may be! — for your results on IQ tests. But even though up to 80 percent of our IQ can be attributed to heredity, a full 20 percent is explained by environment. And it’s in that 20 percent that you can make a difference.
Train Your Brain to Boost IQ Test Scores
Many experts describe the brain as being like a muscle — unless you use it, exercise it — you’ll find that it doesn’t work as well as it used to! The following tools and strategies might help you keep your brain in fighting shape:
The Edumetrics Institute offers some valuable tips, tricks and ideas for ways you can boost your brain power and improve your IQ test results. PuzzleQuest Intelligence-Building Modules, the EduMetrics Institute’s newest creation, is an innovative new product designed using the latest research in intellectual development. Like a personal trainer for your mind, PuzzleQuest software measures your learning abilities, tracking your improvement in puzzles that expand your memory and your intellectual ability.
The Mensa Genius Quiz a Day Book helps train your brain and improve your IQ test scores with a series of word games, logical mysteries, IQ puzzles and brainteasers. It will help keep your mind limber and agile.
Copies of this IQ trainer are available at Amazon.com and other fine bookstores.
Online puzzles, brainteasers and other IQ games are a good way to keep your mind alert and active. There are great ideas on free IQ games to be had. They’ll certainly help you put your brain thru the paces.
There’s lot to be gained by exercising your brain. And hopefully, you’ll have some fun in the process.