Types of Intelligence Tests

Types of Intelligence Tests

Individual or Group Tests

• Individual Tests
• Individual tests are administered to one person at a time.
• These tests require the test administrator to establish a rapport with the subject and be sensitive to her/his feelings, moods expressions during the testing session. 
• These allow people to answer orally in a written form or manipulate objects as per the tester's instructions.

Group Tests

• A group intelligence test can be administered to several persons simultaneously. 
• These do not allow an opportunity to be familiar with the subjects' feelings. 
• They seek written answers usually in a MCQ format.

Verbal, Non-verbal or Performance Tests

Verbal Tests

• These tests require subjects to give verbal responses either orally or in written form. 
• These tests can be administered only to literate people.

Non-Verbal Tests

• The non-verbal tests use pictures or illustrations as test items. These can be administered on illiterate people as well.
• Example- Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM) Test

Performance Tests

• Performance tests require subjects to manipulate objects and other materials to perform a task.
• Written language is not necessary for answering the items. 
• They can be easily administered to people from different cultures.
• Example- Kohs' Block Design Test

Culture-Fair or Culture-Biased Tests

Culture-Fair Tests

• Culture-fair or culturally appropriate tests are those that do not discriminate against individuals belonging to different cultures.
• These tests are developed in a manner that they assess experiences common to all cultures or have questions in which language usage is not required. 
• Non-verbal and performance tests help reduce the cultural bias usually associated with verbal tests.

Culture-Biased Tests

• Culture-biased tests are designed for a specific population and show biased results for a specific group, culture, and population due to cultural influence. 

Misuses of Intelligence Tests

• Poor performance on a test may make the child ashamed and thereby adversely affect their performance and self-respect.
• The results of the test may invite discriminatory practices / treatment from parents, teachers and elders in the society. 
• Intelligence tests do not capture creative potentialities and practical side of intelligence.
• They do not relate much to success in life.
• Administering a test biased in favour of high class and middle class populations may underestimate the IQ of children coming from disadvantaged sections of the society.