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How to Move Up the IQ Scale
Want to move up the IQ scale? You’ve probably heard the term “IQ” before. But what does it actually mean? IQ stands for “Intelligence Quotient.” It’s a score that shows how smart a person is compared to others of their age. But is IQ fixed? Can people with low IQs get smarter?
IQ is a score that represents how smart someone is compared to others their age. It’s calculated by taking a person’s mental age (how old they are mentally) and dividing it by their actual age in years, and then multiplying that number by 100. For instance, if a 5 year old had an IQ of 200, it would be because their mental age was 10 (10/5 x 100). Some tests also measure this score against others in a similar age bracket to standardize the score. This is when you hear whether someone has an above or below average IQ.
IQ is Not Definitive
However, it’s important to keep in mind that IQ tests aren’t perfect. They don’t necessarily measure all forms of intelligence. This could be having a talent such as being a gifted artist or having a beautiful singing voice. Street smarts are also not measured. Street smarts could also be described as common sense and is often something lacking in those with a so-called high intelligence. Life is all about survival of the fittest and sometimes those with street smarts often do better than their intelligent counterparts.
There also is a cultural bias on any standardized testing. If you would like to read more about that, there is a link below.
A study carried out on twins shows that IQ is determined by genetics. However, they also found that it wasn’t clear if the same genes had influence over school grades. This could explain why the two siblings differ so much. Same parents, same genes, same intelligence but one has book smarts and the other has street smarts.
Can You Move Up the IQ Scale ?
Now that we know what IQ is, you’re probably wondering if there’s anything you can do to make yourself smarter. Well, the answer isn’t clear-cut. Some experts say that because IQ is mainly determined by genetics, it’s not possible to significantly increase your score. However, others believe that with the right environment and opportunities, people of all ages can become smarter over time. A general definition of a genius is at the 140 mark. Average intelligence is between 85 and 115. Elon Musk has an estimated score of 155. According to the Guiness Book of World Records, the highest ever recorded score was achieved by Marilyn vos Savant at 228!
The best way to check whether it is possible to increase your IQ is to do one of the tests available online now, follow some of the ideas in this article, then test yourself again. If you search online for “How can I test my IQ” there are many suggestions. However, Mensa is one of the most trusted, especially in the UK. When doing these tests, remember that you are relying on brain power alone. This is because you will be doing psychometric tests and not anything that you can search online for the answer to. That might scupper a few people!!
So how do you go about trying to increase your IQ? Here are a few suggestions.
Do jigsaw puzzles
This may sound like a very simplistic solution to improving your IQ. However, when doing a jigsaw puzzle you involve your memory, shape and spatial awareness. Doing a jigsaw puzzle can also be relaxing and lower stress, which help boost your brainpower, as stress and anxiety are two of the most widespread conditions linked to brain shrinkage and cognitive degeneration.
Play online brain-training games
There are several online games or apps that can be downloaded onto your smartphone. These games involve memory games, matching shapes or colors, language and distance skills. Working memory and IQ are strongly linked, which is why playing memory games can help. A study was carried out on children to see if brain training improved working memory. The children took part in brain training activities for approximately half an hour a day, for at least twenty days over a thirty five day period. The outcome of the study was that the working memory of the children did improve
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Play Scrabble and other word games
Playing a game of Scrabble is a fun way to increase your IQ and boost your well-being at the same time. Playing Scrabble is classed as an executive control activity because it is linked to reasoning, which is a component part of our intelligence. Executive control functions include working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control. Playing games such as Scrabble, Pictionary, Jenga, Chess, and Sudoku involve one or more of these functions.
On top of that, playing a game of Scrabble helps you learn new words, improve your concentration and focus, and improve your communication skills; all of which play a part in our IQ. Another great thing about playing board games is that we are socialising and having fun, both of which are great for our brains as they protect it from damage and loss of function.
Learn a new language
Learning a new language is a great way to increase your IQ. This is because it increases the size of the brain through neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the growth of new neurons that make up the grey matter in the brain. Grey matter is what enables us to have emotions, memory, and control how we move. People with higher IQs have more grey matter than others. However, do not expect this change to happen quickly. A study was carried out on people who learned a new language for just under three months. They were tested at the beginning and end of the learning period, but their IQ scores did not show any improvement.
Having said that, another study found that the younger children are when they start to learn a second language, the higher their IQs will be when they are older. The ideal age to start learning the language is between eighteen months and two years of age. One reason for this is that children’s brains are much more efficient at creating new neural pathways (neuroplasticity) than adults
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Every day is a school day
Continuing to learn or be educated has been shown to increase IQ by up to five points for every full year of learning This can take the form of formal education, such as staying on after graduating from school to go to college and university. Alternatively, you can study at home. However, one of the best ways to educate yourself and increase your IQ at the same time is to read. Reading as many books as you can get your hands on will increase your vocabulary and, in turn, your verbal IQ.
Having a larger bank of words on which to draw will help you in all aspects of life where communication is important. You will be able to confidently express your views, opinions, and knowledge. In addition, reading text books rather than story books will increase your knowledge on all sorts of subjects. Finally, as with learning a language, teaching a child to read as soon as possible, and starting by reading aloud to them when they are very young all play a part in boosting their IQ as they grow older.
Give it a Try
If increasing your IQ is important to you, you now know what to do in order to boost your IQ score. Some of these tips may seem simple, but as suggested before, try some out and see for yourself. Just don’t expect things to change overnight. Boosting your brain power is something that needs to be done consistently, potentially for the rest of your life. Everyone has the potential to get smarter over time—it just takes some effort!
Click here to find out more about Marilyn vos Savante and what she did with that record-setting IQ !
Click here for an article on cultural bias in standardized testing from Bright Hub Education . com
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