IQ Test Types

Learn about IQ test types, from individually and group-administered tests to online formats like the RIOT, plus differences between test batteries and single-format tasks.

Dr. Russell T. WarneChief Scientist

An IQ test can be classified by how it is administered, what tasks it uses, and how much of cognition it samples. There are many types of IQ tests in existence, and there are many possible ways to classify them. One way is to classify them by their method of administration:

Individually administered tests: These tests are usually administered face-to-face (or sometimes through a video call), usually by a psychologist or another expert with advanced training. The Wechsler tests, Stanford-Binet, and Woodcock-Johnson V are examples of popular tests that are individually administered.
Group administered tests: These are tests that are administered to groups of people at the same time. Many IQ tests in educational settings are administered to groups of students at the same time. Group tests also sometimes occur in employment and research settings too. In the 21st century, most of these tests are administered on computers, but sometimes paper-and-pencil IQ tests are used.
Online tests: Online IQ testing is a new frontier, and the Reasoning and Intelligence Online Test (RIOT) is a leader in this area. Online IQ tests are self-proctored, which means the examinee can take them whenever and wherever it is convenient for them. There is nothing inherently problematic about measuring intelligence with an online test. Unfortunately, most IQ tests on the internet are created by non-professionals who have little or no regard for the ethical and technical standards for psychological tests. Potential customers should be careful because non-professionals are not aware of the field’s technical and ethical standards or choose to disregard them. Always avoid tests created by non-professionals or anonymous individuals.

In addition to the method of administration, it is also possible to classify IQ tests by their content. IQ test batteries consist of a series of subtests that each ask a different type of question. Most individually administered tests are IQ test batteries, and so is the RIOT. IQ Test batteries have the advantage of sampling a broad range of the ways intelligence can be shown. This reduces the likelihood that a test will overemphasize certain tasks (like verbal tasks) or neglect to measure important abilities.

In contrast to IQ test batteries, some tests are called “single-format tests,” which are tests that have only one type of task on them. An example of this is the Raven’s family of tests (the Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices, Raven’s Progressive Matrices, Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices, and Raven’s 2). The Raven’s tests all consist of a 3 x 3 grid (called a matrix) that is missing the final piece, which the examinee must identify from a group of choices. There are also single-format tests for vocabulary, logical reasoning, and other tasks.

IQ Test Content

One thing that is very noticeable when comparing tests is that their content is very different. In fact, there is no task or question type that can be found on all IQ tests. Charles Spearman claimed that it does not matter what tasks are on an IQ test, as long as they require thinking, judgment, or reasoning. He called this principle “the indifference of the indicator,” and modern research has shown that he was correct. This is a huge advantage for intelligence researchers because some tests or tasks are better suited for certain situations or groups than others. For example, certain tasks that are well-suited for individually administered tests do not work well in group settings. But because of the indifference of the indicator, psychologists can use different tests and still produce findings that contribute to a common knowledge base about intelligence.