I’m tired of all these sketchy online IQ tests that clearly just make up numbers. I want to take an actual, legitimate IQ test that gives me a real score I can trust.
What are my options? Do I need to see a psychologist in person, or are there credible online alternatives now? And if I go the professional route, how much does it typically cost and what should I expect from the process?
Just looking for somewhere I can get an accurate assessment without wasting time or money on garbage tests.
For the most accurate results, see a licensed psychologist who can administer tests like the WAIS or Stanford-Binet. It’ll cost $500-2000 depending on location, but you get a comprehensive evaluation with detailed feedback. If that’s too expensive or inconvenient, RIOT is the best online alternative—it’s designed by psychometricians following professional standards and costs a fraction of in-person testing. It won’t replace a clinical assessment for high-stakes purposes, but it’s legitimate for personal curiosity.
You have three good options: Go to a psychologist for tests like the WAIS—this is the most thorough but costs $500-2000, If you’re a student, ask your school about testing through their educational psychologist, or Take RIOT online—it’s way cheaper and follows the same professional standards as the in-person tests. Just avoid anything that’s free or gives you a score in under 30 minutes—those are always fake. Real IQ tests should take at least an hour and feel genuinely difficult.
Professional IQ testing through a psychologist gives you much more than online tests ever could: controlled conditions, proper standardization, interpretation that accounts for cultural factors and testing anxiety, and a detailed report showing cognitive strengths and weaknesses. The 2-4 hour assessment uses validated instruments like the WAIS and provides legally/clinically recognized results if you ever need documentation. If you’re just curious and don’t need official documentation, I think Mensa admission testing is a legitimate middle-ground option. Whatever you do, skip the online tests. They’re not standardized, can’t prevent practice effects or cheating, and are often designed to inflate scores rather than measure accurately.
You’re right that online IQ tests are worthless, but professional testing might not give you what you’re hoping for either. It’s a lengthy process that measures specific cognitive abilities, not some universal intelligence score. IQ test results can vary based on countless factors including testing anxiety, cultural background, and even practice effects if you’ve taken similar tests before. Unless you need official documentation for accommodations or diagnosis, you might find the whole exercise less satisfying than expected since a number can’t capture the complexity of how your mind actually works.
@ira829 However, while the test doesn’t capture the complexity of the mind fully, the General Ability Index (GAI) derived from the core reasoning subtests is still the best single predictor we have for future academic and occupational success. While it’s prone to external factors like anxiety, its predictive power is robust enough that we can’t simply dismiss the overall number as worthless. It’s an imperfect, but highly useful, forecasting tool.
Traditionally, IQ tests are administered in person by a licensed professional (a psychologist, counselor, psychiatrist, social worker). Since the COVID pandemic, some of these tests can also be administered over a secure video call. This route is pricey: minimum $300, and usually $500 or even over $1,000. If the test is not being administered as part of legal proceedings or to diagnose a mental health condition, then insurance won’t pay for it.
Online, the best IQ test is the Reasoning and Intelligence Online Test (RIOT). It’s the only fully online IQ test designed to meet all of the technical and ethical standards for test development. The RIOT is suitable for low- and medium-stakes decisions, such as screening applicants for a job or if you’re curious about your own IQ. It is not appropriate for high-stakes decisions, like diagnosis. Online tests are much more affordable than in-person tests, which is a major advantage to those.
@merle-restaino663 I wonder how much of the GAI’s predictive power is simply a reflection of its strong correlation with socioeconomic status (SES) and years of schooling. High GAI scores often indicate a background that has prepared an individual for academic and professional environments, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.