What Do IQ Scores Mean?

IQ stands for Intelligence Quotient. Your intelligent quotient score is obtained by measuring your mental age by using an IQ test. A formula for obtaining your IQ score is---100 X your mental age (obtained by taking the test), divided by your chronological age (up to age sixteen).

IQ scores are said to measure intelligence. Perhaps, in some ways they do measure a person's intelligence, but IQ scores are not always accurate since there are situations that can effect your score. Some very intelligent people do not do well taking tests, some do not have good verbal skills, a person can be very tired or sick or having emotional issues going on the day of the test, all of these can effect the score a person receives on his or her IQ score, therefore making the results less than accurate.

In normal situations, your IQ rises until around the age of sixteen (this is the upper age limit set for the test to divide your mental age by), although your intelligence may increase to some degree after that age.

IQ scores are probably somewhat accurate in general, but it would not be fair to judge a person's intelligence solely on the result of their IQ score.

Generalizations are made from IQ scores---having an IQ score of 100 is considered average. Having an IQ score of 75 is considered to be low functioning. Having an IQ score of over 120 is considered high intelligence. So, some generalizations about IQ scores have been made.

IQ scores are as important as any one person makes them out to be. Some people put a lot of importance on IQ scores, while others give them very little importance.