How to Get an IQ Test

How to get an IQ test: See a psychologist for WAIS/Stanford-Binet, take Mensa's test, or use a legit online option like RIOT. Learn how to get IQ tested.

Dr. Russell T. WarneChief Scientist

If you're interested in finding out your IQ, you have several options available. The method you choose depends on your needs, budget, and what you plan to do with the results. Here's what you need to know about getting an IQ test.

Individual Testing with a Psychologist

The most traditional way to get an IQ test is through individual testing with a licensed psychologist or another professional. In this setting, you will sit face-to-face with a trained professional (or sometimes via video call) who administers the test. Here's how the process typically works:

• Find a qualified professional. Look for a licensed psychologist, therapist, or other behavioral professional in your area who offers psychological testing. You can search through your insurance provider's directory, ask your primary care doctor for a referral, or search online directories from state psychology boards or the American Psychological Association.

• Schedule an initial consultation. Call the professional's office to discuss your interest in IQ testing. They will likely ask why you want the test and what you hope to learn from it.

• Understand the costs upfront. Ask about fees before scheduling. Individual IQ testing typically costs several hundred dollars, and insurance rarely covers it unless it's medically necessary (such as diagnosing a learning disability, an intellectual disability, or a neurological impairment).

• Complete intake paperwork. Before your testing appointment, you will fill out forms about your background, medical history, and educational history.

• Attend the testing session. The actual testing typically takes 1-3 hours, depending on which test is administered. Common tests include the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, and Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities.

• Receive the results. After scoring and interpreting your test, the psychologist will schedule a feedback session (usually within 1-2 weeks). They will explain your scores, what they mean, and answer any questions. You will typically receive a written report documenting your results.

Individual testing offers several advantages. The examiner can observe your behavior during testing, clarify instructions if you are confused, and provide a detailed interpretation of your results. If the testing is part of a larger psychological assessment, the psychologist can integrate your IQ scores with other information to give you a comprehensive understanding of your cognitive strengths and weaknesses. The main drawbacks are cost and the need to schedule appointments and travel to the psychologist's office.

High-IQ Society Testing

Organizations like Mensa offer their own testing for membership purposes. These tests are administered in group settings at scheduled times throughout the year. If you score high enough (typically in the top 2% of the population), you can qualify for membership in the society.

High-IQ society tests are relatively affordable, but they only tell you whether you qualified for membership, not your specific IQ score. They're designed to identify high scorers rather than provide a comprehensive assessment of your cognitive abilities.

To learn more about the broad horizons of intelligence, check out this article written by Dr. Warne on the Mensa Foundation website.

Online IQ Tests

The internet is flooded with websites claiming to measure your IQ. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these tests are created by amateurs with little or no training in psychometrics (the science of psychological testing). A test created by an anonymous author should always be avoided. Legitimate test creators are proud to attach their name to their work and stake their professional reputation on the quality of their tests. If you can't easily find out who created a test and what their credentials are, don't take it.

Before taking any online test, do some research:

• Who created the test? What are their qualifications?

• Is there a technical manual or published research about the test?

• Does the test have a representative norm sample (the comparison group your scores are measured against)?

• Does the test meet the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing established by professional organizations?

A few minutes of investigation can save you time and money by helping you avoid tests designed to deceive the public. Curious about what makes an online IQ test legitimate? Watch Are Online Intelligence Tests Legitimate? w/ Dr. Russell T. Warne.

Where Can I Take Free IQ Tests?

Most free online IQ tests are not legitimate scientific instruments. Test development is expensive, requiring years of research, expert consultation, pilot testing, and data collection from norm samples. Professional test creators need to charge money to cover these costs. However, online testing, when done professionally, is still much less expensive than traditional face-to-face testing.

There are some free tests created by researchers for academic purposes, but these should be used cautiously outside of the research setting. Some legitimate tests also offer abbreviated free versions or sample tests, which can give you a preview of what to expect. For instance, the Reasoning and Intelligence Online Test is the first online IQ test that meets professional standards for psychological assessment. The Sample RIOT Free IQ Test is an 8-minute assessment that provides a general measure of intelligence through an abbreviated version of three subtests.