The Stanford-Binet IQ test is an individually-administered test. Introduced by Dr. Lewis M. Terman in 1916, it was the first IQ test produced in the United States.The test evaluates cognitive and intelligence abilities through measuring memory, general knowledge, quantitative reasoning and visual-spatial abilities. An example of a question similar to those found on the test for children includes responding to why the following statement is absurd: All the men in the world are above average in height.
Viewed as the standard of IQ tests, other tests are often measured against the Weschler.The series of tests, also individually administered, were originally designed for clinical evaluation and can detect various neurological disorders. The tests consist of 10 or 11 sub-tests. Six of these tests are verbal, meaning that the questions and answers are communicated verbally. The other five tests are performance, in which the test-taker has to perform certain tasks as quickly as possible. The verbal tests consist of the following categories: information, similarities, arithmetic, vocabulary, comprehension and digit span. Digit span tests a person's ability to recall a string of digits and repeat them backwards. The performance test includes the following: picture completion, coding, picture arrangement, block design and object assembly. Three additional sub-tests were added to the most recent series, including matrix completion, letter-number sequencing and symbol search.
Similar to the Stanford-Binet, the Slossen Intelligence Test, or SIT, is an individually administered test that estimates verbal cognitive abilities. Available for anyone four and older, it is commonly used for screening purposes and lasts about 10 to 20 minutes. The test contains 187 questions that assess vocabulary, general information, similarities and differences, auditory memory, comprehension and quantitative ability. The authors of the SIT suggest that the test be combined with other intelligence comprehensive battery tests for a more complete assessment of overall intelligence.
There are a number of timed and proctored group tests, such as the Raven Advanced Progressive Matrices, the California Test of Mental Maturity and the Cattell Culture-Fair Test. The Scholastic Aptitude Test, commonly known as the SAT, also is included in this group. These tests are administered easily but are limited in the scope of abilities they measure when compared to the other categories of tests. Unproctored, untimed tests, such as the Mega Test, Titan Test and Test for Genius, are not recognized universally as true IQ tests because they are susceptible to cheating.