Measure Your Intelligence with IQ Tests
Learn more about potential employees through IQ tests
IQ tests can help you measure not only an applicant's "native intelligence," but also their creativity, emotional intelligence, personality, aptitudes...and pretty much anything else that can affect their job performance. When most people think of an intelligence IQ test, they think of the classic IQ test used for admission to MENSA and to objectively measure a person's intelligence. But today, increasing emphasis is placed on skills and attributes like memory, imagination and natural leadership ability, and there's a paper or online IQ test for all of these.
IQ test scores, though not the only indicator of an applicant's potential, can offer a more well-rounded picture of the person's aptitudes. IQ tests can help you evaluate:
- An applicant's overall intelligence.
- Skills specific to the job the applicant is applying for.
- The applicant's ability to work with others, through assessments like an emotional intelligence test.
Start with the classic IQ test
Often considered the official IQ test, overall intelligence tests measure everything from problem-solving to spatial orientation. They're designed to objectively measure a person's natural intelligence, and while not everyone agrees that they accomplish this, they can offer insight into the way an applicant's mind works.
Try:
IQTest.com offers a free online IQ test, as well as information about intelligence testing. 3SmartCubes offers several free online IQ tests, including The Complete IQ Test.
Test IQ to measure job-specific skills
An IQ test can help you better determine a candidate's suitability for a specific position. For a management position, you can test leadership IQ, and for something like advertising or new product development, for example, you can gauge creativity and imagination.
Try:
Before and After, a firm that offers coaching in creative thinking, offers a free online creativity test on its website. FunEducation offers several free and paid specialized tests, including "Are You Management Material?"
Use IQ tests to evaluate interpersonal skills
Sometimes, the most important kind of intelligence is the kind used in interacting with other people. Every workplace depends on the ability of team to cooperate and collaborate. Even if someone is a stellar salesperson or has a head for numbers, if they can't get along with their co-workers they may hurt more than help the team. Consider an IQ personality test or an emotional intelligence test to determine how well they work with others, and if they have the kind of personality that blends well with the rest of your staff.
Try:
Persuasion IQ offers free online tests evaluating a person's ability to persuade others. From TalentSmart, order the Emotional Intelligence Appraisal, which measures overall EQ, self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.
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