I want to find out my actual IQ but I’m not sure how to get an accurate measurement. I’ve taken a few free online tests and gotten scores ranging from 105 to 135, which seems like a huge spread. How do I know which tests are actually reliable? Do I need to get professionally tested, or are any online tests accurate enough? What’s the best way to find my real IQ score without paying hundreds of dollars?
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The best IQ tests are the ones with known creators (not anonymous), have been normed, underwent rigorous testing and development, and comply with industry standards. It is up to you to decide between professional in-person tests or online, just note that in-person tests are often very costly and time-consuming.
I was in the same boat last year! Those free online tests are garbage - they’re designed to inflate your score so you feel good and share them. The 30-point spread you got proves it. I paid $200 for a proper WAIS test with a psychologist and scored way lower than any online test told me (118 vs 130+). Was humbling but at least I know it’s real. Mensa accepts professional tests if you want to join, but they don’t accept online ones for a reason.
That’s rough but good to know. I’ve heard some school districts and universities offer IQ testing for cheap or free if you’re a student or have kids in the system. Also worth checking if your health insurance covers psychological testing - mine did when I got tested for ADHD and they threw in an IQ test as part of the eval.
For OP: If you just want a ballpark, the Mensa online practice test is supposedly decent for screening (not diagnostic). It’s like $20 and at least they’re not trying to scam you.
The WAIS-IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) is the gold standard. It costs $150-400 depending on location but it’s the only way to get a truly accurate score. Online tests lack proper norming, validation, and standardized administration. That said, if you’re just curious and not using it for anything official, a test like the Mensa Admission Test ($99) or the Stanford-Binet can work. @JuliaB is right about insurance - if there’s any diagnostic question (learning disability, ADHD, etc.) insurance often covers it. Otherwise you’re paying out of pocket. Community mental health centers sometimes offer sliding scale fees too.
The wide range you’re seeing in online test results is actually a red flag that highlights why professional assessment matters. But what I mostly tell clients, before pursuing testing, ask yourself why you want to know your IQ. If it’s curiosity, that’s valid, but professional testing typically costs a lot. However, if you’re investigating learning difficulties, seeking accommodations, or addressing specific concerns, testing becomes more valuable and may be covered by insurance or available through educational institutions.
Even if you get professionally tested and get a “real” number, what does that actually tell you? Like, I have a friend who got tested as a kid and scored really high, but he struggles with basic organization and procrastinates constantly. And I know people who probably wouldn’t score that high but are incredibly successful because they’re persistent and good with people. IQ measures a specific type of problem-solving ability, but it doesn’t measure wisdom, creativity, emotional intelligence, work ethic, or any of the things that actually matter in real life.
I wanna ask, what would you do with that number once you had it? Would it change how you approach your life or goals? Because if it’s just curiosity, you might save your money and instead focus on understanding your actual strengths and weaknesses through real-world experience. Just my two cents though. Everyone’s different about this stuff.
I mostly agree, but ‘known creators’ and ‘industry standards’ can sometimes just mean institutional gatekeeping. Some anonymously developed tests with open-source norming data (like certain matrix-based ones on academic repositories) have outperformed commercial ones in predictive validity studies. Rigorous data > brand name.
The Mensa online test uses real psychometric principles and is proctored by a reputable org. It’s not diagnostic, but for screening, it’s one of the better options out there. Unfortunately, 20 bucks seems too steep for an incomplete test. And if you go all in with Mensa, I believe they do not reveal the results unless you get into the org.
The only way to obtain an accurate IQ score is to take a professionally-designed IQ test. The gold standard for these tests are the tests administered one-one-one by a psychologist or another qualified administrator (e.g., a counselor). The best tests with this format are the Wechsler tests, the Woodcock-Johnson, and the Stanford-Binet.
The downside with these tests is that they are very expensive: $500 and higher. You’re paying for the professional’s time and a lot of development into these very sophisticated scientific instruments. A less expensive option is an online test. The problem with many online tests is that they are created by non-professionals, often aren’t normed properly, and their items and scores aren’t screened for bias. The only online IQ test that doesn’t have these shortcomings is the Reasoning and Intelligence Online Test (RIOT).
When choosing an online test, avoid a test with an anonymous creator. Legitimate test creators are open about their contributions to a test, and their credentials are easy to verify. A test should also have technical documentation, such as a manual or peer-reviewed research about the test. Some of this documentation may not be available for the general public (which is common for test manuals, for example), but there should be evidence that it exists. Also, legitimate test creators are clear about who their test is designed for. No IQ test is appropriate for all ages, cultures, languages, groups, etc. Legitimate test creators clearly state the target population for their test.
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