How to Take an IQ Test
Robert Neir
17 Mar 2025TL;DR
You can take an IQ test online or in-person,
The RIOT is the best online IQ test to date. It is the only professionally developed, valid, and reliable online test.
While there are online options, it is recommended that you take an IQ test in-person for high-stakes testing. To do so, find a psychologist to administer you the WAIS or SB-5, which are both ideal for formal evaluations.
Do not prepare for IQ tests, as they assess inherent measures of intelligence. Go in cold but rested.
Expect questions of all different types. These questions types are broken down into subtests. For example, here are the 15 subtests on the RIOT. These subtests will cover numerous cognitive abilities such as: Verbal Reasoning, Fluid Reasoning, Spatial Ability, Working Memory, and Processing Speed.
How to Take an IQ Test: A Comprehensive Online Guide
This detailed guide explores how to take an IQ test, focusing on where to find reliable tests, how to prepare, what to expect during the process, cognitive abilities tested, and the type of subtests you might see on an IQ test. This article also provides a thorough overview for individuals seeking to assess their cognitive abilities, drawing from current research and expert recommendations.
Introduction
An Intelligence Quotient (IQ) test is a standardized assessment designed to measure a person's cognitive abilities, such as reasoning, problem-solving, memory, and verbal comprehension. These tests are often used in educational settings, for job placements, or simply for personal curiosity about one's intellectual capabilities. Research suggests IQ tests measure cognitive abilities like reasoning and memory, with an average score of 100 and a standard deviation of 15, meaning about 68% of people score between 85 and 115, following a normal distribution. For a general understanding of IQ, see Wikipedia: Intelligence Quotient. You may also check out this video below to understand how IQ is calculated:
Where to Take an IQ Test
IQ tests can be taken in various settings, depending on your needs and preferences. Options include:
In-Person Assessments: Many psychologists and educational institutions offer in-person IQ testing, such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) or Stanford-Binet tests. These are typically administered by licensed professionals and are ideal for formal evaluations, such as diagnosing learning disabilities or assessing giftedness. For more information on in-person assessments, refer to APA: Intelligence Assessment. Specific tests like WAIS can be explored at Wikipedia: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and Stanford-Binet at Wikipedia: Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales.
Online IQ Tests: For convenience, online IQ tests are widely available. However, not all are reliable, as some may lack scientific backing or proper norming. For a trusted online option, the RIOT is the only recommended choice. It is a leading platform offering the Reasoning and Intelligence Online Test (RIOT), launched in 2025, based on the well-established Cattell-Horn-CarroLl (CHC) model of intelligence. Learn more about the CHC model at Wikipedia: Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory. This test is designed for adults (18+) and features 15 subtests across five cognitive indices, administered through a custom-built online platform, completable in 60 minutes or less. It adheres to psychometric standards and undergoes rigorous statistical norming procedures, normed on US-born, native English speakers aged 18 and older, with a sensitivity review to ensure fairness and remove bias. For a list of the best IQ tests available in 2025, refer to this article: 5 Best IQ Tests in 2025.
Given the proliferation of online tests, it's crucial to choose one with rigorous standards, like the RIOT, which is developed by a research team led by Dr. Russell T. Warne, PhD and offers versions such as Basic (3 subtests, ~10 mins), Enhanced (5 subtests, ~24 mins), Full (15 subtests, ~67 mins), and À La Carte (customizable), with margins of error ranging from ±5.6 IQ for Basic to ±2.4 IQ for Full, as detailed on their website.
How to Prepare for an IQ Test
IQ tests are designed to measure inherent cognitive abilities, which means that traditional studying or memorization might not significantly impact your score. Research suggests intelligence, as measured by IQ, is influenced by both genetics and environment, with heritability estimates increasing with age (about 45% in children, up to 75% in late adolescents and adults). For more on heritability, see ScienceDirect: Heritability of IQ. Given this, preparing in the conventional sense—such as cramming facts—is generally ineffective, and the evidence leans toward not preparing for IQ tests, as they assess inherent skills.
However, there are steps you can take to ensure you perform at your best on test day, optimizing your mental state:
Get Plenty of Rest: Being well-rested improves concentration and cognitive function. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep the night before to optimize brain performance, as sleep affects memory consolidation and attention, which are crucial for test performance. Learn more about sleep and cognitive function at NCBI: Sleep and Cognitive Function.
Eat a Healthy Meal: Proper nutrition can positively affect your brain's performance. Consider a balanced meal with protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates to fuel your cognitive processes, as research shows glucose levels impact brain function during tasks. For more information, see NCBI: Nutrition and Brain Function.
Reduce Stress: Try to stay calm and manage anxiety, as stress can impair your ability to think clearly. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or a short walk before the test can help, as stress hormones like cortisol can negatively affect working memory and reasoning. Find stress management tips at Mayo Clinic: Stress Management.
Familiarize Yourself with the Test Format: Knowing what to expect can reduce anxiety and allow you to manage your time better during the test. For example, understanding that the test may include timed sections can help you pace yourself. While you shouldn't practice specific questions, reviewing the general structure (e.g., multiple-choice, timed tasks) can be beneficial, though this is more about comfort than score improvement. For test format details, refer to the test provider's website, such as the RIOT.
Some sources suggest practicing with sample tests to get used to the format, but given IQ tests measure innate abilities, this may only help with test-taking strategies rather than actual score improvement. Other online IQ tests suggest that practicing IQ tests works, but this is debated, as it may not reflect true intelligence and could lead to frustration if expecting significant score changes, which are limited by your cognitive ceiling.
What to Expect in an IQ Test
IQ tests typically consist of a series of questions that assess different aspects of intelligence, categorized into several cognitive domains. The RIOT's subtests are also based on these cognitive domains. Common areas include:
Verbal Comprehension
Understanding and using language effectively, such as defining words, completing analogies, or answering general knowledge questions. For more, see Wikipedia: Verbal Reasoning.
Logical Reasoning
Solving problems through deductive or inductive reasoning, often involving patterns, sequences, or logical deductions. For more, see Wikipedia: Logical Reasoning.
Visual Reasoning
Visual problem-solving and spatial awareness, like identifying patterns in shapes, completing puzzles, or rotating objects mentally. Learn about visual reasoning at Wikipedia: Visual Perception.
Working Memory
The ability to hold and manipulate information in your mind, such as recalling sequences, performing mental arithmetic, or remembering numbers in reverse order. For details, see Wikipedia: Working Memory.
Processing Speed
How quickly you can perform cognitive tasks, often involving speeded matching, symbol searches, or reaction time tasks. Understand processing speed at Wikipedia: Processing Speed.
The RIOT test, for example, is structured around five cognitive abilities, each with three subtests, totaling 15 subtests. These are detailed in the following table for clarity, based on the article The 15 Subtests of RIOT:
| Cognitive Ability | Subtest | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | Vocabulary | Measures knowledge of word definitions with multiple-choice synonym options. |
| Information | Assesses general world knowledge via multiple-choice questions. | |
| Analogies | Tests ability to infer and apply relationships between word pairs, multiple-choice. | |
| Fluid Reasoning | Matrix Reasoning | Measures fluid intelligence with 3x3 grid pattern completion, 8 options. |
| Visual Puzzles | Assesses fluid reasoning with visual stimuli, selecting 2-4 options to match target image. | |
| Figure Weights | Evaluates abstract reasoning with balance scales, selecting from 5 options. | |
| Spatial Ability | Object Rotation | Tests understanding of 3D object rotation, selecting matching rotated shape from 5 options. |
| SToVeS (Spatial Tests of Verbal Stimuli) | Measures cardinal direction understanding, multiple-choice, mostly written. | |
| Spatial Orientation | Uses maps to assess location visualization, multiple-choice with visual stimuli. | |
| Working Memory | Computation Span | Measures working memory with simple math problems, recalling answers in sequence. |
| Exposure Memory | Tests visual recognition memory, selecting shown images from 8 options after sequence. | |
| Visual Reversal | Assesses memory with 3x3 grid color changes, recalling reverse order of changes. | |
| Processing Speed | Symbol Search | Measures speed by identifying symbol matches, 2 minutes, yes/no response. |
| Abstract Matching | Tests speed with geometric shape matching, varying difficulty, 1-minute groups. | |
| Reaction Time | Includes simple and choice reaction time tasks, 20 items each (5 practice). |
For a deeper dive into these subtests, visit The 15 Subtests of the RIOT, which provides detailed descriptions and examples. Here is an informative Youtube video playlist about the subtests 👇
This level of detail is unexpected for many, as most people might think IQ tests are just about general knowledge or math, but the RIOT’s structure shows a comprehensive assessment across multiple dimensions, particularly highlighting the five cognitive abilities: Verbal Reasoning, Fluid Reasoning, Spatial Ability, Working Memory, and Processing Speed, as explained at 5 Cognitive Abilities of the RIOT.
Conclusion
Taking an IQ test can be a valuable experience, offering insights into your cognitive strengths and areas for potential growth. By choosing a reputable platform like the RIOT, following preparation tips to optimize performance, and understanding what to expect, you can ensure the process is both informative and stress-free. Remember, while IQ scores correlate with academic, professional, and numerous other life outcomes, they are not a complete measure of human potential, and results should be interpreted with context.
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