Standardized intelligence test is notably one of psychology's greatest successes and is one of the

most persistent and widely used inventions. Though standardized Intelligence tests are designed to
measure mental capacity, function and intellectual skills such as reasoning and understanding.
Though it has also been accused of being unfair to some race, gender, class and also of almost
completely neglecting the importance of creativity, character and practical know-how (Benson,
2003). IQ (Intelligence Quotient) tests have been the in use for the last century to act as a measure
of intelligence based on answers to a few questions in a given test. The goal of IQ tests is to predict
someone’s academic potential, and to evaluate an individual’s cognitive ability, or their ability to
understand ideas, reasoning and critical thinking skills (Woodruff, 2013).
For decades, students with learning disabilities have been identified using the IQ-achievement
discrepancy model, which tests students according to a standardized test score. Standardized
intelligence tests have helped psychologists make recommendations about ways to benefit the
students.
Some limitations of this IQ test model is that it is unable to measure inconsistent aspects of
intelligence such as emotional and social intelligence, both of which are crucial factors in
determining a person’s potential for success. “IQ tests have the potential to inaccurately measure an
individual’s intelligence and cause problems including low confidence, unrealistic expectations, and
just a generally flawed understanding of a person’s potential” (Woodruff, 2013).
It is often difficult to determine which individuals are learning disabled when they are native
speakers of a language as compared to when they are non-native speakers of that language,
students from poor countries and also economically disadvantaged students often tend to score
lower than other students leading them to often being underrepresented in gifted and talented
programs. “The IQ-only identification point out that these tests may assess only a narrow range of
ability, neglecting a child's strengths in other areas, such as spatial reasoning or nonacademic
talents” (Machek, 2018).
The term nurture refers to the environment in which children grow up in while nature means natural.
The study of twins help us understand the nature-nurture controversy with respect to intelligence
better by discovering how much of our identity is conferred by our genes, and how much is a product
of the environment in which we are raised as well as the influence of genetics on their behavior
which supports the first rule of behavioral genetics which states that psychological traits are
extremely heritable. Though I don’t think it should be narrowed down to just one category as there
are other factors that influence a person’s traits and behavior but rather a combination of both.
(McClung & Dorighi, 2019).
I feel IQ tests fail to tell the whole story of someone's intelligence because it only assesses a narrow
range of ability neglecting crucial factors which are also determinant factors for a person’s potential
success.
I have never taken an IQ test but would be willing to do so sometime soon.

References
Woodruff, A. (2013, July 19). The Problem with IQ Tests. Educational
Connections. https://ectutoring.com/problem-with-iq-tests
Benson, E. (2003). Intelligent intelligence testing. Intelligent Intelligence Testing, 34(2),
48. https://www.apa.org/monitor/feb03/intelligent
Machek, G. (2018, April 29). Human Intelligence: The Role of Standardized Intelligence Measures in
Testing for Giftedness. The Human
Intelligence. https://www.intelltheory.com/giftednessTesting.shtml
McClung, G., & Dorighi, N. (2019, October 24). The Relevance of Twins on the Nature vs. Nurture
Debate. T H E G A R G O Y L E. https://denversouthgargoyle.com/3024/features/the-relevance-of-
twins-on-the-nature-vs-nurture-debate/