An IQ test is an assessment that measures a range of cognitive abilities and provides a score that is intended to serve as a measure of an individual’s intellectual abilities and potential. IQ tests are among the most commonly administered psychological tests.

In order to understand what these scores really mean, it is essential to look at exactly how these test scores are calculated. Today, many tests are standardized and scores are derived by comparing individual performance against the norms for the individual’s age group.

While many tests utilize similar methods to derive their scores, it is also important to note that each test is different and scoring methods may not be the same from one test to another.