Types of intelligence tests

We review the main tests that measure our cognitive abilities.

The study of intelligence is one of the topics that has aroused most interest among psychologists, and it was one of the reasons why the psychology psychology began to become popular. Although nowadays the term intelligence is a commonly used word, this was not the case a little more than a century ago.

The concept is too abstract and has, in general, has provoked a great deal of debate among the various experts. It could be said that intelligence is the ability to choose, among several possibilities, the best option for the resolution of a problem or for a better adaptation to a situation. To do so, the intelligent individual makes decisions, reflects, examines, deduces, reviews, accumulates information and responds according to logic.

Some types of intelligence tests

There are different types of intelligence and so are intelligence tests. Some measure what is known as the "G factor" and others measure different types of intelligence, such as logical-mathematical intelligence, spatial intelligence or linguistic intelligence.

Since this construct began to be studied, several theories have tried to explain it: Raymond Cattell's crystallized and fluid intelligence, Spearman's bifactor theory, Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences, to name just a few of the most recognized.

The first intelligence test: Binet-Simon Test

The first intelligence test was developed by Alfred Binet (1857-1911) and by the psychiatrist Théodore Simonboth French. The purpose of this first intelligence test was to determine the intelligence of individuals with intellectual deficits, compared to the rest of the population. The norm for these groups was referred to as mental age. If the test score determined that the mental age was lower than the chronological age, this meant that there was mental retardation.

This test was revised and refined in several countries. Lewis Terman adapted it as the Stanford-Binet test and used the concept of IQ (intelligence quotient). used the concept of intelligence quotient (IQ).. The average IQ in an age group is considered to be 100.

The different types of intelligence tests

There are different ways of classifying intelligence tests, but they can usually be classified as follows:

Acquired knowledge test.

This type of test measure the degree of knowledge acquisition in a certain area.. For example, in school they can be used in exam format to find out if students have learned enough in a subject. Another example could be a test of administrative skills that is taken in order to apply for a job.

However, the value of these tests when measuring intelligence is relative, because intelligence is usually understood as a skill rather than an accumulation of previously acquired knowledge.

Verbal Intelligence Test

In this type of test tests evaluate the ability to understand, use and learn language.. It also evaluates the rapid comprehension of texts, spelling or the richness of vocabulary. It is a test of the verbal skills needed to communicate and live in the community, but also of the way in which thoughts are organized through the structure of language.

Numerical Intelligence Tests

These tests measure the ability to solve numerical questions. In this type of test different items are presented: calculation, numerical series or arithmetic questions.

Logical Intelligence Test

This type of test evaluates the capacity for logical reasoningTherefore, they test the person's capacity for analysis and logic. This is the core of many intelligence tests, since it is used to evaluate the ability to perform abstract operations in which the correctness or incorrectness of the thought is not so much in the content of these as in the way they fit together and how they are formally related.

Types of intelligence tests: Individual vs. group tests

In addition to these types of tests, there are other tests that measure different types of intelligence, such as emotional intelligence.

On the other hand, tests are also usually classified according to their application: individual tests or group tests. Below are the most popular intelligence tests according to these types of tests.

Individual tests

Individual tests are presented to a single individual. These are the best known:

Stanford-Binet intelligence test.

This test is a revision of the Binet-Simon test. It is mainly applied to children (2 years and older), although it can also be used for adults.. Children usually perform it in 30-45 minutes, adults in up to an hour and a half. This test has a strong verbal component and allows obtaining an IQ in four areas or dimensions: verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, visual reasoning and short-term memory, and an overall IQ equivalent to the "G Factor".

WAIS Test

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults allows to obtain the IQ, and also provides independently the manipulative IQ and the verbal IQ.. It contains 175 questions and, in addition, cartoons and series of digits. It consists of 15 subscales and lasts 1 or 2 sessions of 90-120 minutes. It is applied from the age of 16 years.

WISCH Test

The WISC was developed by the same author as the previous scale, David Wechsler, as an adaptation of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), but, in this case, for children.. Like the previous one, it does not allow to obtain scores in three scales: verbal, manipulative and total. It is made up of 12 subscales.

Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K- ABC)

The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) was designed for the purpose of assessing the abilities of children between 2.5 and 12.5 years of age to solve problems that require mental processing. to solve problems that require simultaneous and sequential mental processing. In addition, it also measures acquired skills in reading and arithmetic. The tests can be administered in 35 to 85 minutes.

Raven's Test

Its purpose is to measure IQ. It is a non-verbal test, where the subject must describe missing pieces of a series of printed sheets, and to do so, he/she must use perceptual, observational and analogical reasoning skills. perceptual skills, observation and analogical reasoning to deduce the missing pieces. to deduce the missing pieces. It is applied in children, adolescents and adults.

Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ III)

This test consists of two batteries that measure general intelligence, specific cognitive skills and academic achievement.. They have a wide age range, as they can be used for all ages from two years onwards. The test consists of a standard battery to evaluate 6 areas, and 14 additional areas of evaluation are observed when the extended battery is applied.

Group intelligence tests

The group intelligence tests were born thanks to the contribution of Arthur Otisa student at Stanford University and a student of Lewis Terman. The latter taught a course on the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale at the same university. Otis came up with the idea of adapting this test to a group test format, and subsequently this test became the Army's Alpha Test for military selection and job classification.

Following the Alpha Exam, other collective application tests have emerged. These are among the best known:

Otis-Lennon Scholastic Ability Test (OLSAT).

This test consists of a variety of picture, verbal, figure and quantitative items, which measure verbal comprehension, verbal reasoning, and verbal reasoning. verbal comprehension, verbal reasoning, picture reasoning, figure reasoning and quantitative reasoning.. It is applied in children from school age to 12th grade. This test has two forms and seven levels, each one can be administered in 60-75 minutes.

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

This test measures children's ability to reason and solve problems using verbal, quantitative and spatial symbols.quantitative and spatial symbols. The test consists of different levels, 3 batteries (verbal, quantitative and non-verbal) and takes about 90 minutes to administer.

Wonderlic Staff Test

This test consists of 50 items consisting of analogies, definitions, logic and arithmetic problems, spatial relationshipsIt consists of 50 items consisting of analogies, definitions, logic and arithmetic problems, spatial relationships, word comparisons and address location. It is a tool widely used in personnel selection processes in the workplace. Its application is brief: 12 minutes.