IQ Tests are Obviously Biased!

[Fino]

Where are you? Browser?

Yes, Google Chrome on a desktop. It attempts to download it, says it's unsafe, I try anyway and it says, "This does not have an app associated with it."

OKAY THEN, I only read the pop-up just now to tell you what it said, and so it looks like it has to do with my computer and the lack of some particular program.

 

[Crossbreed]

Yes, Google Chrome on a desktop. It attempts to download it, says it's unsafe, I try anyway and it says, "This does not have an app associated with it."

You need to have the Adobe Flashplayer plugin running. You may have it installed on another browser like Edge or Firefox.

 

[MeghanWithAnH]

Do you know the name of the test? I'm just curious to know which test is asking about Sherlock Holmes.

I don't actually remember, but it was definitely one of the major IQ tests. I remember that question because I couldn't remember the answer, and then got quite distracted thinking of what a stupid way that was to test intelligence. Maybe I was so irritated by it that I just blocked out the whole thing . It was part of getting my official diagnosis. I wasn't impressed by any part of the process, but either way, at least I finally have it. Of course, it could also be that they only verbally told me the name of the test, and my brain loves to let spoken information slip right out the moment I hear it, which of course was part of my problem with taking the test.

 

[Fino]

I don't actually remember, but it was definitely one of the major IQ tests. I remember that question because I couldn't remember the answer, and then got quite distracted thinking of what a stupid way that was to test intelligence. Maybe I was so irritated by it that I just blocked out the whole thing . It was part of getting my official diagnosis. I wasn't impressed by any part of the process, but either way, at least I finally have it. Of course, it could also be that they only verbally told me the name of the test, and my brain loves to let spoken information slip right out the moment I hear it, which of course was part of my problem with taking the test.

Maybe it was put there to test your response to stupid stuff.

"Oh wow, she's really offended, she can tell it's dumb as heck...Yeah, she's autistic for sure. Should we just end it early?"

"Nah, we gotta make her think there's more to these tests than that."

 

[Fino]

You need to have the Adobe Flashplayer plugin running. You may have it installed on another browser like Edge or Firefox.

Firefox worked! Thank you very much!

 

[sidd851]

That sounds like a Wechsler test. They are made of four sub-tests:

• processing speed (lowest),
• verbal IQ,
• working memory, &
  
• non-verbal IQ* (highest).

I had the same low & high sub-scores (in the order given).

*Wechsler's non-verbal IQ portion includes a Ravens-type sub-test.

You sound very knowledgeable.

Between the years of '72-ish and '79-ish, there was an IQ test commonly used in schools.
It had a ceiling score of 140.

I was tested 6 or 7 times between those years, with 2 different tests.
The first 5 or 6 were the same test, I think.
My middle 4 or 5 scores were precisely
140.
The last test that I took, '78-'79-ish, was decidedly different,
and my single score from it was 158.

I now cannot find reference to this first test, which I read a good deal about.
I also can't help but wonder if the last test didn't cap out at 160.

Additionally-- A grad student in Boston(where I then lived) somehow...
"heard" about me when I was around 3 yrs old. My mother was not specific as to how, I'll have to ask her.
She administered a variety of tests, in our home(for research she was conducting?), at least 5 or 6 of them.
At the conclusion, 4 to 8 hrs later, my mother tells me that she said that my IQ was likely "far north" of 160.

Are you familiar with this test with a 140 ceiling?

Or it's likely successor, and whether it may have been capped at another common ceiling, 160?

If I remember correctly, I think there were three sections that I smoked--- verbal/vocabulary, problem solving, mechanical ability.
My lowest score(s) were above the 99th or 99.5 pctl.

Are you familiar with these tests?

 

[Crossbreed]

Are you familiar with these tests?

I know Wechslers (WAIS/WISC) have 140 ceilings. When I joined Mensa, they used a Cattell and the California Test of Mental Maturity. They used different scales than the WAIS.

• 140, WAIS (the standard scale) =
  
• 164, Cattell =
• 143, CTMM

That is about the extent of experience/knowledge.

My 2E specialist agrees that Raven's (and other non-verbal tests) are more accurate for auties, but they lose accuracy approaching 140 (same scale as WAIS).

 

[Suzanne]

I have been told that I will be given an IQ test, but so far, that has not happened.

When I go back to see the therapist who deals with autism diagnosis, I will be tested on emotional responses and well, in one way: oh no! Please, not that! I will do badly and in other way: oh thank you, because it will tell them that I have who issues explaining emotional responses.

If they insist on doing an IQ test, I am going to request that they do not tell me the results.

if they did it based on numerical sequences, I will have a very low IQ and yes, it is grossly unfair and so narrow minded!

 

[sidd851]

I know Wechslers (WAIS/WISC) have 140 ceilings. When I joined Mensa, they used a Cattell and the California Test of Mental Maturity. They used different scales than the WAIS.

• 140, WAIS =
  
• 164, Cattell =
• 143, CTMM

That is about the extent of experience/knowledge.

My 2E specialist agrees that Raven's (and other non-verbal tests) are more accurate for auties, but they lose accuracy approaching 140 (same scale as WAIS).

Over the years, I've devoted quite a bit to study of "mind".
Recently, IQ has become a curiosity.
This is all that I can remember about it.
Thanks for the info.

 

[Fridgemagnetman]

Over the years, I've devoted quite a bit to study of "mind".
Recently, IQ has become a curiosity.
This is all that I can remember about it.
Thanks for the info.

Hey sidd, would you qualify to even take the test?

 

[Crossbreed]

If they insist on doing an IQ test, I am going to request that they do not tell me the results.

If you are approaching 130 or above, you will want to know about it. Finding out that you are gifted is as freeing as finding out that you are autistic. (So THAT'S why people act/seem so weird around me...!) If so, (like autism) be selective of who you share it with.

 

[sidd851]

I know Wechslers (WAIS/WISC) have 140 ceilings. When I joined Mensa, they used a Cattell and the California Test of Mental Maturity. They used different scales than the WAIS.

• 140, WAIS (the standard scale) =
  
• 164, Cattell =
• 143, CTMM

That is about the extent of experience/knowledge.

My 2E specialist agrees that Raven's (and other non-verbal tests) are more accurate for auties, but they lose accuracy approaching 140 (same scale as WAIS).

Yes.
I do seem to remember that some of the tests the grad student gave me were 3D blocks, rings and such,
and some were paper and pencil nonverbals.
I don't remember if there were verbal tests or not, at this time.

 

[china autie]

89-- no way!!! Your writing is not indicative of an 89.
You may have been having stressful day/s or been distracted by noises or hungry or drained from being tested or a host of other things.

Do not allow that number to define you. Because it absolutely does not. Period!!!

 

[Progster]

the timed section is biased against people who work carefully and can't help but take the time to make sure they're doing it right.

Yes, exactly, and I am one of those people. I did the online Raven test a couple of years ago, ran out of time about 15 questions from the end and had to frantically guess at the answers, which brought my score down. And having a digital clock countdown on the screen is extremely distracting. About ten years ago, I tried a similar test, again with 40 questions but not timed, and I did a lot better. I seem to get a different answer each time, depending on whether I have slept well, whether I have eaten, did I have coffee, night or in the morning... too many variables for such a test to be truly accurate.

There was an autistic author who has written several books on autism, Donna Williams, and in one of the books, she states that she tested about 80 in an IQ test... but if you see the depth, complexity and detail of her writing, it is obvious that her IQ is way above 80. So really, it's just a number, which doesn't really mean that much, and doesn't say much about you and your functioning as a whole... to test a person's intelligence, one would need to look at how they deal with a range or real-life situations over a longer period of time - I guess not really practical for psychologists to use as an assessment tool.

I have never been officially tested and do not know my IQ, but based on the statistical average for those with a master's degree, it's probably between 110 and 120.

 

[Autistamatic]

I was tested years ago when I was going through the initial diagnostic process (and again in the early 2000s). My average score was at the top end and it caused me even more problems in the school I was in. They were even more perplexed as to why I didn't fit in. They didn't seem to understand that with logical, analytical intelligence, also comes an excessive capacity for critical thinking, and it was critical thinking that identified the errors and contradictions in most of their arguments and conformist educational policies to me.

IQ tests are flawed, without doubt. There is no true measure of intelligence yet devised that is totally representative. I do not feel the current system is biased against autistic minds in general though. The number of us who score at approaching or exceeding genius level is testament to that. Because of our "spikey" skills profiles, current IQ testing may be as much biased towards some of us as against others.

Perhaps the most constructive approach is to educate both specialists and the public at large that our current perception of IQ being the sole measure of intellectual capacity is a fallacy. It takes more than logic, observation skills and problem solving to survive and thrive. Without the tenacious emphasis on IQ in society, the acceptance of neurodiversity as a concept may suffer less obstacles.

 

[sidd851]

Yes, exactly, and I am one of those people. I did the online Raven test a couple of years ago, ran out of time about 15 questions from the end and had to frantically guess at the answers, which brought my score down. And having a digital clock countdown on the screen is extremely distracting. About ten years ago, I tried a similar test, again with 40 questions but not timed, and I did a lot better. I seem to get a different answer each time, depending on whether I have slept well, whether I have eaten, did I have coffee, night or in the morning... too many variables for such a test to be truly accurate.

There was an autistic author who has written several books on autism, Donna Williams, and in one of the books, she states that she tested about 80 in an IQ test... but if you see the depth, complexity and detail of her writing, it is obvious that her IQ is way above 80. So really, it's just a number, which doesn't really mean that much, and doesn't say much about you and your functioning as a whole... to test a person's intelligence, one would need to look at how they deal with a range or real-life situations over a longer period of time - I guess not really practical for psychologists to use as an assessment tool.

I have never been officially tested and do not know my IQ, but based on the statistical average for those with a master's degree, it's probably between 110 and 120.

The timed section, if we're talking about the same test and portion, measures at least three different variables, and scores them separately.
Overall accuracy---
how many you got right out of how many you got done
Overall speed--- how many total answers completed
Composite accuracy and speed---
how many you got right in what amt of time

This particular portion of the test is for measuring, overall, how quickly you can apply information accurately from the moment of assimilation.
This is not necessarily a bias, but part of a more topographical representation of different talent areas.

 

[Joshua the Writer]

On which test?

Not sure which one. Didn't say. May have been based off of State test results.

 

[Progster]

The timed section, if we're talking about the same test and portion, measures at least three different variables, and scores them separately.
Overall accuracy---
how many you got right out of how many you got done
Overall speed--- how many total answers completed
Composite accuracy and speed---
how many you got right in what amt of time

This particular portion of the test is for measuring, overall, how quickly you can apply information accurately from the moment of assimilation.
This is not necessarily a bias, but part of a more topographical representation of different talent areas.

So they are working with the assumption that no one is going to be able to finish the test, then they see how many you answered and how accurately? I didn't get a breakdown of the different areas or skills. I felt that it didn't favour the way I think and work - I work slowly,carefully and accurately, am vulnerable to distraction and find it hard to work under pressure or in timed conditions. Are all official IQ tests timed? It just left me feeling extremely frustrated because of running out of time I know I can do better, though I didn't actually do too badly on it. Yes, I know that I'm not cut out to work in an aircraft control center, but people don't always have to work quickly under timed conditions to show intelligence. There are plenty of other areas where working more slowly, but accurately would be considered an advantage.

Perhaps I should try it again, but this time in the morning and drink coffee

 

[Crossbreed]

3D blocks

That is part of the WISC tests. I liked the block test. I did one six years ago (age 50) and remembered liking it at 6yo. (I went to some secluded test site, too, but I don't recall the details.)

 

[sidd851]

So they are working with the assumption that no one is going to be able to finish the test, then they see how many you answered and how accurately? I didn't get a breakdown of the different areas or skills. I felt that it didn't favour the way I think and work - I work slowly,carefully and accurately, am vulnerable to distraction and find it hard to work under pressure or in timed conditions. Are all official IQ tests timed? It just left me feeling extremely frustrated because of running out of time I know I can do better, though I didn't actually do too badly on it. Yes, I know that I'm not cut out to work in an aircraft control center, but people don't always have to work quickly under timed conditions to show intelligence. There are plenty of other areas where working more slowly, but accurately would be considered an advantage.

Perhaps I should try it again, but this time in the morning and drink coffee

Exactly. I don't think that I got past line 4 or so, of 7 or 8. Our admin. was kind enough to tell us about the nature of the specific parts and what they were measuring.
The specific test I am referring to, though there may be others similar, is a "substitution/translation" test.
There is a key of:
letters=2D geometric figures.
As you begin to translate the letters, you begin to adapt--- you become faster every time you see a familiar shape and check the key for the corresponding letter.
Eventually, you no longer have to check the key. Haltingly, but with increasing speed, you begin to recognize whole words and then larger ones without checking the key.
You are becoming "fluent" in the new "language"(alphabet).
Your speed accelerates in a geometric(?) progression from start to "Time!" finish.
This is actually a rather sophisticated test,
as the key, and committing it to memory, are
"crystal" intelligence, while actively translating you are using "fluid" intelligence, at least when you begin to be able to anticipate words.

That admin. explained so well, there was no anxiety and complete understanding of what was being tested for.
Not only was I cool, I was composed and confident.
I've just usually tested extremely well.
I'm lucky, I'm comfortable in such an environment. I know, not fair.
I like the pure intellectual challenge--- nothing social involved, no emotions, nothing.. squishy.

Now that you know what it tests for, I'm certain that you could perform better.
At least, It helped me immensely.