Question

Write in brief about the various types of intelligence tests.

Explain various types of intelligence tests.

Answer 1

Today psychologists use a variety of intelligence tests to measure intelligence. All these tests are classified into the following main categories:

1. Individual tests of intelligence:
   Intelligence tests that can be administered to a single individual at a time are called individual tests of intelligence. Binet’s Scale of Intelligence, Wechsler Scale of Intelligence, Dr. Bhatia’s Performance Test of Intelligence, Arthur Point Scale, Koh’s Block Design, etc. are some of the examples of individual tests of intelligence.
2. Group tests of intelligence:
   Intelligence tests that can be administered to more than one person at a time are called group tests of intelligence. Group tests of intelligence were devised to recruit large number of soldiers in the army during the First World War. Group tests are useful mainly for mass testing. Army Alpha Test, Army General Classification Test, Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices, etc. are some of the examples of group tests of intelligence.
3. Verbal tests of intelligence: Intelligence tests that use language (words or numbers) for measuring intelligence are called verbal tests of intelligence. In these tests subjects are required to respond verbally to test items. Army Alpha Test, Wechsler’s Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), etc. are some of the examples of verbal tests of intelligence.
4. Non-verbal test of intelligence: 
   Intelligence tests that use pictures, designs, material objects, etc. to measure intelligence are called non-verbal tests of intelligence. In these tests language is not used to measure intelligence. In these tests subjects are not required to respond verbally to test items. Non-verbal tests are of two types viz. (1) Performance tests and (2) Paper-pencil tests. Koh’s Block Design Test, Alexander’s Pass-along test, Merril Palmer Block Building test, Dr. Bhatia’s Non-Verbal Test of Intelligence, etc. are some of the examples of performance tests of non-verbal tests of intelligence. Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices, Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices, etc. are some of the examples of paper pencil tests of non-verbal tests of intelligence.