Where to take a REAL IQ Test

Where can I take an official IQ test? Discover legit options: with a psychologist (WAIS/Stanford-Binet), schools, or professional online like RIOT.

Dr. Russell T. WarneChief Scientist

If you're interested in measuring your intelligence, you've probably noticed that searching "IQ test" online returns thousands of results. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these tests are created by amateurs or are designed purely for entertainment. Finding a legitimate, professionally-developed IQ test requires knowing where to look and what to look for.

Professional Settings for IQ Testing

There are several legitimate venues where you can take a real IQ test, each with its own advantages and limitations.

Individual Testing with a Psychologist

The traditional way to take an IQ test is through an individual assessment administered by a licensed psychologist or another qualified professional. In this setting, examinees typically take tests like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, or the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities. These are administered face-to-face, either in person or increasingly through video call platforms.

The psychologist can observe your behavior during testing, ensure that the test taker understands the instructions, and provide a detailed interpretation of your results. This is particularly valuable if the IQ test is part of a broader psychological assessment for diagnostic purposes or educational planning.

The drawbacks are primarily cost and accessibility. This typically costs several hundred dollars or more, and finding a qualified psychologist who administers IQ tests can be challenging, depending in some parts of the world. Additionally, there's often a waiting period of weeks or months to schedule an appointment.

School-Based Testing

Many people receive their first IQ test in a school setting. Schools use IQ tests for several purposes: identifying students for gifted programs, diagnosing learning disabilities, or as part of special education evaluations. Tests administered in schools might be given individually (like the WISC-V for children) or in group settings (like the Cognitive Abilities Test). School-based testing is often free or low-cost, but the results are used primarily for educational placement decisions rather than personal curiosity.

University Psychology Departments

Some university psychology departments offer testing services to the public at reduced rates. These assessments are often conducted by graduate students under supervision as part of their clinical training. While less expensive than private practice testing, availability varies widely by location, and there may be long waiting lists.

Military and Employment Settings

The U.S. military administers the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to all recruits. While not called an "IQ test," the ASVAB functions as an intelligence test and correlates strongly with traditional IQ measures. However, you can only take this test if you're considering military service.

Some civilian employers also use cognitive ability tests for hiring and promotion decisions, a practice that is expected to become more common in the United States. These tests are sometimes only available to job applicants for specific positions.

Online IQ Testing

Online IQ testing makes testing accessible to anyone with a computer, eliminates travel requirements, and significantly reduces costs compared to traditional face-to-face testing.

However, the quality of online IQ tests varies dramatically. Most tests found through a simple Google search are created by non-professionals who lack training in psychometrics (the science of testing). These amateur tests may provide entertainment value, but they cannot provide accurate, meaningful scores.

The challenge is distinguishing legitimate online tests from the countless low-quality options. Before taking any online IQ test, research the test creator's credentials. Legitimate test creators are transparent about their identity and qualifications. They're proud to attach their name to their work. If you cannot find the creator's name and credentials, avoid the test.

Professional online tests should have documented technical properties, including evidence of reliability and validity. They should clearly state their intended population and have a representative norm sample. Tests that claim to be appropriate for anyone, regardless of age, language, or cultural background, should be viewed with suspicion.

Curious about how your intelligence is quantified using IQ tests? Read this article on How To Calculate IQ.

What to Avoid

Several red flags should make you avoid an IQ test entirely:

• Anonymous creators: If you can't identify who made the test, don't take it

• Unrealistic claims: Tests promising "certified" IQ scores or claiming perfect accuracy

• No norm sample information: Legitimate tests explain how they determined average performance and ensure that their norm sample is representative of a specified population (e.g., English-speaking American adults)

• Free tests making bold promises: Professional test development is expensive; truly free tests are rarely legitimate (though some offer abbreviated free previews)

• Tests that work for "everyone": No single test is appropriate for all ages and populations

Where you should take an IQ test depends on your goals. If you need testing for diagnostic purposes, educational placement, or legal proceedings, individual testing with a licensed psychologist is necessary. If you're curious about your cognitive abilities and want a scientifically sound assessment for personal knowledge, a professional online test like the Reasoning and Intelligence Online Test (RIOT) offers accuracy and convenience at a much lower cost.

For a preview of what RIOT is and how it works, check out: