Types of IQ Tests

There are many types of IQ tests that are used depending on the specific situation. Understand a bit more about how these tests are administered, their similarities and differences and why you’d take one of these over the other versions available.

Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities

Praised as one of the most comprehensive types of IQ tests, the Woodcock-Johnson test has gained a lot of popularity over the years.

  • Recommended for people between 2 to 90 years of age
  • Standard battery test – 10 tests
  • Extended battery test – 10 more tests
  • Provides a more in-depth look into cognitive abilities
  • Long form or short form testing available

Raven’s Progressive Matrices

One of the most ideal tests to give those that require sensory images, Raven’s Progressive Matrices seeks to learn more about the person’s IQ.

  • Recommended for people between 5 to 60 years of age
  • Uses pictures to test the person
  • Consists of 60 questions
  • Questions become progressively harder
  • Great for problem-solving and deductive reasoning skills

Cattell Culture Fair III

Invented to measure the cognitive abilities of the mind, the Cattell Culture Fair test also removes the outside factors that come with sociocultural and environmental concerns of each specific person taking the test. Designed to help bridge the gap between what we don’t know currently about the human mind.

  • Recommended for people of all ages
  • Gives a wider deviation of points – instead of the standard 16, you get 24

Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales

Relying heavily on the memories of those taking the tests, the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales are meant to know more about the cognitive abilities of the person to remember specific actions, words or other representations in the test.

  • Recommended for people between 3 to 94 years of age
  • Four main tests – two verbal and two non-verbal
  • Additional testing can be added
  • Shorter test versions are available

Thurstone’s Primary Mental Abilities

Thurstone’s Primary testing covers a wide range of mental abilities that the person has to determine how the person performs in each of the seven areas.

  • Seven Areas Include: verbal comprehension, numerical ability, memory, spatial relations, word fluency, inductive reassign and perceptual speed

Differential Ability Scales

Combining a few different tests into one to get the best median score of the person, the Differential Ability Scales provides insight into a person’s cognitive abilities.

  • Recommended for people between 2 to 17 years of age
  • 20 Main tests and 17 additional subtests are used
  • Mix of verbal and non-verbal tests
  • The age of the child determines which tests are given to them

Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test

The Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test was created and used for those that have gifted intelligence. It is a test that can only be given in English, no other language, as this can change the test results.

  • Uses both verbal and non-verbal cues
  • Used in educational departments, clinical and research areas

Multidimensional Aptitude Battery II

The Multidimensional Aptitude Battery II test provides a large area of coverage in performance, verbal and full-scale IQ tests. It provides more insight into many areas of the mind, not just cognitive abilities.

  • Used in military, law enforcement, medical, professional and other prestige areas
  • Main tests and then 10 additional subtests are given
  • The test is timed
  • The scores range from 0.95 to 0.97

Das-Naglieri Cognitive Assessment System

Not a very well-known IQ test, the Das-Naglieri CAS is not used all-too-often, as it has not been shown to be as effective as the other options.

  • Recommended for people between 5 to 7 years of age
  • In-depth testing of multiple areas: thought process, cognitive abilities, planning, attention span and simultaneous and successive cognitive areas