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REET L1+L2 · Child Development & Pedagogy

Intelligence Tests and IQ (Intelligence Quotient)

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This page explains the formula for Intelligence Quotient (IQ), the history of major intelligence tests (Binet-Simon, Stanford-Binet, Wechsler), and the types and limitations of intelligence tests, in simple, exam-ready English. It is a foundational part of the 'Intelligence' chapter in REET's CDP section.

  • No direct question from this topic in REET 2024
  • Teacher-training level
  • 8 min read
Verified 17 September 2026 · Source: History of IQ testing / Ratio IQ formula – Cogn-IQ

How REET asks questions from this topic

None of the 930 digitised REET 2024 questions came directly from 'Intelligence Tests and IQ', but 'Intelligence' is a major chapter in the official CDP syllabus, so there is every chance of a question in future exams. Going by the syllabus outline, this topic tends to draw factual questions on the IQ formula and who proposed it, the names of major intelligence tests and the psychologists linked to them, and the types of tests (individual/group, verbal/non-verbal).

What is Intelligence Quotient (IQ)?

Intelligence Quotient is a number that represents the ratio between a person's Mental Age and their actual/chronological age, and it is used to measure the level of intelligence. This concept was developed to express the results of intelligence tests in a comparable, numerical form, so that people of different ages could be assessed on a common scale.

The IQ formula

Formula
IQ = (Mental Age ÷ Chronological Age) × 100[Source 1]
Who proposed the formula
German psychologist William Stern[Source 1]
Average IQ
100 (when a person's mental age and chronological age are equal)[Source 1]
Who popularised the formula
Lewis Terman, who used it widely in the Stanford-Binet test and made it popular[Source 1]

Major intelligence tests

The first practical intelligence test was created in 1905 by French psychologists Alfred Binet and Théodore Simon, known as the 'Binet-Simon Test'. Its original purpose was to identify children who needed extra help in school. This same test gave rise to the concept of 'Mental Age'.

American psychologist David Wechsler developed the WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, published in February 1955) for adults and the WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) for children (roughly ages 6-16). These tests use 'Deviation IQ' instead of the traditional ratio-based IQ, comparing a person's performance with the average performance of others in the same age group.

Types of intelligence tests

BasisTypeExample/feature
How it is administeredIndividual TestGiven to only one person at a time, such as the Binet-Simon and Wechsler tests
How it is administeredGroup TestCan be given to many people at once, saving time and resources
Use of languageVerbal TestBased on the use of language and words
Use of languageNon-verbal / Performance TestBased on pictures, shapes or objects; does not require language knowledge

Why teachers need to know this

The original purpose of intelligence tests was not to label children, but to give them the right support at the right time — as is clear from the history of the Binet-Simon test. So teachers should understand that an IQ score measures only one side of intelligence (mainly logical and linguistic ability), and it is not the final proof of a child's full potential or future success.

A child who performs only averagely on verbal tests may be outstanding in creativity, practical intelligence or social skill. So using a variety of assessment methods in class (oral, written, practical, art-based) is considered a fairer, more inclusive approach, one that helps bring out every child's true potential.

It also helps, while revising, to separate the 'formula and numbers' facts — the IQ formula, the value 100 as the average, calculation-based questions — from the 'names and history' facts, such as who built which test and in what year, since REET tends to test these two categories somewhat differently: formula-based questions often give a mental age and chronological age and ask for the resulting IQ, while name-based questions usually describe a test's purpose or feature and ask which psychologist or test it belongs to. Practising a few quick IQ calculations, alongside a simple timeline running from Binet-Simon (1905) to Stanford-Binet to Wechsler, covers most of what this topic is likely to test.

Applying this in the classroom

UseSignal for teachers
Identifying children with special needsThis was the original purpose of intelligence testing — identifying, in time, children who need extra support, and offering that support respectfully and appropriately
Not relying on a single number (IQ)IQ measures only one side of intelligence; give equal weight to a child's creativity, social and emotional abilities, so assessment is more balanced and fair
Using non-verbal/performance activitiesGive children who are weak in language but capable in other areas a fair chance to be assessed through pictures, puzzles and practical activities
Recognising individual differencesThere is a natural range of mental ability among children in the same class; accept this while keeping realistic, encouraging and respectful expectations for every child

Limitations of intelligence tests

LimitationExplanation
Cultural and language influenceA test's result can also be affected by a child's language proficiency and cultural background, not only by their actual mental ability
The limits of a single scoreOne number (IQ) cannot fully capture the many-sided nature of intelligence — such as creativity, practical intelligence, and social skill
Testing conditions and moodA child's fatigue, anxiety or stress on a given day can also affect the test's outcome, so it is not appropriate to treat the result of any one test as the final truth

Exam tip

Remember the formula: IQ = (Mental Age ÷ Chronological Age) × 100, and average IQ is always 100. Don't mix up the names — Binet-Simon (1905, the first practical test), Stern (proposed the IQ formula), Terman (Stanford-Binet, popularised the formula), Wechsler (WAIS/WISC, Deviation IQ). Exams often swap these names around to build misleading options, so remember each name paired with its contribution.

Practice questions

Question 1

What is the formula for Intelligence Quotient (IQ)?

  1. A(वास्तविक आयु ÷ मानसिक आयु) × 100
  2. B(मानसिक आयु ÷ वास्तविक आयु) × 100
  3. Cमानसिक आयु + वास्तविक आयु
  4. Dमानसिक आयु − वास्तविक आयु

Explanation

The standard IQ formula divides mental age by chronological age and multiplies the result by 100.

Question 2

What is the average IQ considered to be?

  1. A150
  2. B50
  3. C75
  4. D100

Explanation

When mental age and chronological age are equal, IQ comes out to 100, which is considered the average Intelligence Quotient.

Question 3

Who first proposed the formula for IQ?

  1. Aविलियम स्टर्न
  2. Bलुईस टरमन
  3. Cडेविड वेश्लर
  4. Dअल्फ्रेड बिने

Explanation

The IQ formula was first proposed by German psychologist William Stern, and later popularised by Terman.

Question 4

Who developed the first practical intelligence test?

  1. Aलुईस टरमन
  2. Bडेविड वेश्लर
  3. Cअल्फ्रेड बिने व थियोडोर साइमन
  4. Dविलियम स्टर्न

Explanation

Alfred Binet and Théodore Simon developed the first practical intelligence test (the Binet-Simon test) in 1905.

Question 5

For what original purpose was the Binet-Simon test created?

  1. Aसेना में भर्ती
  2. Bखेल प्रतिभा पहचानना
  3. Cवयस्कों की नौकरी के लिए चयन
  4. Dविद्यालय में विशेष सहायता चाहने वाले बच्चों की पहचान

Explanation

The Binet-Simon test was originally created to identify children who needed special educational support in school.

Question 6

In the Wechsler tests (WAIS/WISC), how is IQ derived?

  1. Aमानसिक आयु व वास्तविक आयु के अनुपात से
  2. Bउसी आयु-वर्ग के औसत प्रदर्शन से तुलना (विचलन बुद्धि-लब्धि) से
  3. Cकेवल भाषा-ज्ञान से
  4. Dकेवल शारीरिक क्षमता से

Explanation

Wechsler's tests use 'Deviation IQ' instead of traditional ratio-based IQ, comparing performance with the average of the same age group.

Question 7

If an 8-year-old child has a mental age of 10, what will their IQ be approximately?

  1. A80
  2. B100
  3. C125
  4. D150

Explanation

IQ = (Mental Age ÷ Chronological Age) × 100 = (10 ÷ 8) × 100 = 125.

Question 8

A teacher wants to fairly assess a child who is weak in language but strong with shapes and puzzles. Which type of test would be most suitable?

  1. Aअशाब्दिक/निष्पादन परीक्षण
  2. Bकेवल लिखित परीक्षा
  3. Cकेवल मौखिक परीक्षा
  4. Dशाब्दिक परीक्षण

Explanation

Non-verbal/performance tests are based on pictures, shapes and objects and don't require language knowledge, making them suitable for such a child.

Question 9

Is it appropriate to judge a child's overall ability based only on the IQ score?

  1. Aकेवल गणित क्षमता के लिए ही पर्याप्त है
  2. BIQ का कोई शैक्षिक महत्व नहीं है
  3. Cहाँ, यह पूरी तरह पर्याप्त है
  4. Dनहीं, रचनात्मकता व सामाजिक-संवेगात्मक क्षमताओं को भी देखना चाहिए

Explanation

IQ measures only one side of intelligence; a child's creativity and social-emotional abilities should be given equal importance.

Question 10

Which of the following types of test can be administered to many individuals at once?

  1. Aवैयक्तिक परीक्षण
  2. Bसामूहिक परीक्षण
  3. Cकेवल निष्पादन परीक्षण
  4. Dकेवल बिने-साइमन परीक्षण

Explanation

A group test can be given to many people at once, while an individual test is given to only one person at a time.

Frequently asked questions

What is the formula for Intelligence Quotient (IQ)?+

IQ = (Mental Age ÷ Chronological Age) × 100.

Who gave the IQ formula?+

German psychologist William Stern, which Lewis Terman later popularised widely in America through the Stanford-Binet test.

Who developed the first practical intelligence test, and when?+

Alfred Binet and Théodore Simon developed the Binet-Simon test in 1905.

What is the average Intelligence Quotient considered to be?+

100, when a person's mental age and chronological age are equal.

What kind of questions can REET ask from this topic?+

Mainly the IQ formula and its calculation, the names of major tests and the psychologists linked to them, and questions on the types and limitations of tests.

How do Wechsler's tests (WAIS/WISC) differ from the Binet-Simon test?+

The Binet-Simon test was centred on mental age and ratio-based IQ, while Wechsler's tests use 'Deviation IQ', comparing a person's performance with the average performance of others in the same age group.

Can an IQ test fully predict a child's future success in school?+

No, IQ tests mainly assess logical and linguistic ability; they do not measure factors such as creativity, motivation, social skill and effort, which play just as important a role in success.

Read next

Theories of Intelligence

Major theories of intelligence, such as the approaches of Spearman and Thurstone.

Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences — several distinct types of intelligence.

REET Syllabus (Full)

The complete official subject-wise REET Level 1 and Level 2 syllabus in one place.

REET 2024 Solved Paper

All REET 2024 questions, answers and detailed explanations.

Official Sources

  1. History of IQ testing / Ratio IQ formula – Cogn-IQ
  2. Binet–Simon Intelligence Test – Wikipedia
  3. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Wikipedia

Change Log

  • 17 September 2026 — English pilot page published — mirrors the fact-checked Hindi page, independently bilingual-accuracy checked