How Intelligent Am I?

Take this quiz to find out!

Want to put your IQ to the test? You’re in the right place!

Just answer these questions, which start out easy and get harder as they go on, and we’ll tell you just how intelligent you actually are. 🤓

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Questions Overview

1. Find the missing number: 3, 6, 12, __, 48
  1. 24
  2. 15
  3. 13
  4. 9
2. Which of the following words doesn’t belong?
  1. About
  2. Cashew
  3. Bamboo
  4. Canoe
3. What would you call a shape with five sides?
  1. A pentagon
  2. A heptagon
  3. A hexagon
  4. A quadrilateral
4. What does the common idiom “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” mean?
  1. Don’t put all your faith in one plan—keep your options open.
  2. Don’t put too many things on your agenda.
  3. Be careful not to pack your basket with too much stuff.
  4. You’ll drop your basket if it’s too full.
5. What is tall when it’s young but short when it’s old?
  1. A candle
  2. A tree
  3. A person
  4. A building
6. What shape comes next in this sequence: 🟪🟨🟥, 🟨🟥🟪, 🟥🟪__
  1. 🟨
  2. 🟥
  3. 🟪
  4. ⬜️
7. Choose the word that doesn’t go with this group: depressed, heartbroken, unhappy
  1. Ebullient
  2. Melancholy
  3. Morose
  4. Dejected

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What Makes Someone “Intelligent”?

In general, intelligence is the ability to learn new things, adapt to new situations, solve complex problems, and understand abstract concepts.[1] It’s important to note, however, that intelligence is a broad term that can mean different things to different people, and what constitutes intelligence also varies across cultures.[2] In recent years, many people have criticized the traditional theories and tests of intelligence, arguing that they don’t fully encompass all the different types of intelligence out there. For example, some have pointed out that Emotional intelligence (or EQ) can be just as important, or even more important, than IQ.[3]

What intelligence tests are available? The two most popular and widely used intelligence tests are the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale and the Wechler scales. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (IQ Test) - Designed for children and evaluates people 2 years of age and older. Includes questions testing arithmetic, memory, and vocabulary skills.[4]
  • Wechsler scales - Measures adult intelligence levels, evaluating the test-taker’s verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, memory, and processing speed.[5]


Here are some pro tips from academic experts:

  • Academic tutor Jai Flicker explains that “research shows that there are two theories of intelligence. One is that we’re born with a certain amount of intelligence, and the other is that we can grow, develop, or increase our intelligence with hard work.”[6] The former is called a fixed mindset, and the latter is called a growth mindset. If you want to become more intelligent, it’s much more helpful to have a growth mindset.
    • If you’re sort of subconsciously walking around thinking that your intelligence is a fixed IQ number, then rather than taking on challenges, you’re going to be far more likely to avoid them,” explains Flicker. “Whereas, if you have a true growth mindset [...] you go, ‘Well, what’s the way to grow my intelligence and increase my intelligence? It’s through pushing my own edges, pushing my boundaries.’”[7]
  • Executive life coach Erin Conlon, PCC, JD, recommends reading or listening to a book as a way to spend a lot of time on one subject and recognize the nuances within it. “Everything has nuance. If you want to grow intellectually, you have to look for nuance, not answers,” she says.[8]
  • Communication and leadership coach Dr. Jeffrey Bogaczyk tells us that “it doesn’t matter how smart you are in an area if you can’t communicate it well. You could have a brilliant idea to cure cancer, but if you can’t communicate it in a way that people can understand, it doesn’t matter. So I think communication is the first place people should work to grow and develop.”[9]
  • Life coach Mark Fennell says discipline, routine, and consistency are key to seeing real change. “Better consistency is far greater than occasional brilliance,” he says. “If you spend 10,000 hours doing anything, you will become halfway good at it. You may even be brilliant at it, and that’s because of discipline. It’s not about IQ—it’s about your tenacity and your consistency.”[10]

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/human-intelligence-psychology
  2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201811/what-is-intelligence
  3. ↑ https://www.apa.org/monitor/feb03/intelligent
  4. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/intelligence-test
  5. ↑ https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/wechsler-adult-intelligence-scale-psychological-testing
  6. ↑ Jai Flicker. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ Jai Flicker. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ Erin Conlon, PCC, JD. Executive Life Coach. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ Dr. Jeffrey Bogaczyk. Communication and Leadership Coach. Expert Interview
  1. ↑ Mark Fennell. Life Coach. Expert Interview