# How accurate is this IQ test? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 16, 2002, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978 "2002-11-16T03:17:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BZ00000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/47e85d/32.png) [@BZ00000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BZ00000)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/1 "2002-11-16T03:17:47Z")
[http://www.emode.com/tests/uiq/](http://www.emode.com/tests/uiq/) ---
**Author:** ![ski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@ski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ski)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/2 "2002-11-16T04:06:12Z")
Well, considering I got 136 while slightly inebriated, I am either a truly amazing genius or it’s a crock. Since I am a genius, I say it’s a crock. ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/3 "2002-11-16T04:12:24Z")
Not very, and here’s the giveaway: > [@](#): > > **At the end of the test** , you will get your IQ score and Intellectual Type absolutely FREE! You also will be able to PURCHASE a Self Improvement Program — which includes a Personalized Report, “Expand Your Mind” eBook, a Certificate of Intellectual Achievement, and four follow-up emails, all for one low price! ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/4 "2002-11-16T04:20:54Z")
I would not take the results seriously. The test is online, and I imagine it’s quite a different story giving someone an examination online as opposed to one in person in a controlled environment. It claims the test was assembled by smartypants “scientists” but it gives no names nor lists their credentials or associations. This test had a relatively decent set of questions, but there’s no way it can give a deep, insightful glimpse into the inner workings of my brain in only 30 questions. I am skeptical of their claims that my brain may function uniquely, or that there are intellectual “types”. The description of my type and my assessment overall is worded vaguely and generically. Not only do I feel the assessment is baloney and at best an exaggeration of the depth and breadth of my mental facilities, I don’t see how it’s specific to me. If this were a legit, valid test, why is it here, and not on a more respectable site, like the APA’s? Why is it on a “fun” site, and not something more professional or academically inclined? For that matter, why are they charging for the expanded results, and not to take the test to begin with. If it was worth its salt, they wouldn’t let any schmoe on the 'net take it for free. What makes me most skeptical is that it collects information from you before it gives you your score. I am automatically skeptical of anything whose conditions includes surrendering personal information. I highly doubt that any organization that wants personal information would be willing to offer anything of substance in exchange for that information. I expect to be deluged with spam as soon as I check that e-mail account. ---
**Author:** ![OrganicMatter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/898d66/32.png) [@OrganicMatter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OrganicMatter)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/5 "2002-11-16T05:28:42Z")
I answered the questions randomly. This earned me a score of 82 along with this interesting summary: > [@](#): > > “The first thing we can tell you about that is [sic] you are equipped with a verbal arsenal that enables you to understand complex issues and communicate on a particularly high level. But that’s just scratching the surface.” I am also still equipped with my $14.95. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/6 "2002-11-16T06:37:56Z")
They say 135, and my hotmail account is already deluged with spam, so no big deal. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/7 "2002-11-16T06:55:16Z")
I agree with AudreyK–a legit IQ test (1) wouldn’t be on line; (2) would tell us who these PhD scientists are. I’m curious what their ceiling is. My IQ (on legitimate instruments) is always 16 points higher than the score I obtained on this one. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/8 "2002-11-16T07:02:41Z")
Further experiments–when I answer all questions incorrectly (to the best of my ability), I get a score of 75. This is above the cutoff for mental retardation. [oxymoron]Congratulations! Your IQ is 75![/oxymoron] ---
**Author:** ![OrganicMatter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/898d66/32.png) [@OrganicMatter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OrganicMatter)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/9 "2002-11-16T07:50:20Z")
I also answered all of the questions incorrectly (presumably) and got a score of 77. I was rated as an “Inventive Inquisitor,” the phrase proudly displayed next a picture of Ben Franklin – apparently my intellectual equal. :rolleyes: I was also crisply informed that my math and verbal skills were equal. I found this especially amusing. Dr. Turing, please pick up the white paging telephone… ---
**Author:** ![Ariadne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71c47a/32.png) [@Ariadne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ariadne)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/10 "2002-11-18T00:07:20Z")
I got a 135, which is within ten points of both of the real IQ tests I’ve taken in the last ten years, so I thought it might be a decent test, until I read “The first thing we can tell you about that is you’re equally good at mathematical and verbal tasks.” Lol, my real IQ and personality tests said my verbal skills are much stronger than my math skills. Oh, and they just sent this spam, “Visionary Philosophers love chocolate. 57% of them reach for it when a food craving strikes.” So, from reading the new posts, it looks like anyone who’s not drunk is getting a 135. I’m going to go back and answer “c” to everything. “people who answer “c” to everything enjoy turnips…” ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/11 "2002-11-18T01:28:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by OrganicMatter \* > I answered the questions randomly. This earned me a score of 82… Ha ha, dummy! I answered randomly and got a 90! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![quicken78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/919ad9/32.png) [@quicken78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quicken78)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/12 "2002-11-18T06:00:14Z")
I did the test and got bored when I realised that I had to do the second page (I thought that there would only be one). I got 109. Presumably this means that the score is skewed towards the first page’s answers (based on reported results above)? ---
**Author:** ![Bob55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Bob55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob55)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/13 "2002-11-18T07:56:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by OrganicMatter \* > **I was also crisply informed that my math and verbal skills were equal. I found this especially amusing.** haha me too, I got a 136 and my math is almost 2X as good my verbal. ---
**Author:** ![dylan\_73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecccb3/32.png) [@dylan\_73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dylan_73)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/14 "2002-11-18T17:01:48Z")
I don’t get this. I got 138, answering all questions correctly (I checked and couldn’t spot any mistake; anyway, they were all easy). How come some people only got 2 less than me? I’m guessing it must be to do with the age you put down. I think for my age group, 138 is the max…Anybody get better than 138? (Maybe someone younger could try it?) ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/15 "2002-11-18T17:38:17Z")
I just picked the first answer to all the questions and got an 82. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/16 "2002-11-18T20:28:31Z")
Ha ha. I just did the test in about a minute and got 136. All those years of speeding my way through tests without reading the answers properly or checking my work have finally paid off! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/17 "2002-11-18T20:34:46Z")
Ha ha. I just did the test in about a minute and got 136. All those years of speeding my way through tests without reading the answers properly or checking my work have finally paid off! ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/18 "2002-11-18T20:35:01Z")
Hmm … I got 138 as well, but I guessed on a couple. I doubt if it was a perfect score on that test, but I suppose it could’ve been. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/19 "2002-11-18T20:36:34Z")
I forgot to add “…in the form of an online IQ test. That is of no use to anyone.” I think the real IQ test is who gave their REAL email address w/o expecting to be deluged by spam. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978/20 "2002-11-18T20:39:53Z")
Notice how everybody who got more then 106 has gotten something between 135 and 140? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-this-iq-test/136978.md?page=2)