Question

Answer of the following question in 150 to 200 words:

Explain the types of intelligence tests with advantages.

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.
   Advantages of individual tests of intelligence:
   1. The test administrator can establish a rapport with a client.
   2. The test administrator can get additional information about the client’s feelings, moods and expressions during testing.
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 a 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.
   Advantages of group tests of intelligence:
   1. Group tests are less time-consuming and economical.
   2. In administrating group tests, the role of the examiner is minimal. So he need not go through any specialized training.
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.
   Advantages of verbal tests of intelligence: 
   1. Verbal tests of intelligence are useful to measure higher mental abilities.
   2. Verbal tests of intelligence are useful to differentiate between people having average intelligence and people having above average 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.
   Advantages of non-verbal tests of intelligence:
   1. Non-verbal tests can be given to people having different linguistic backgrounds, illiterate people and small children. Performance tests are especially useful to measure the intelligence of differently abled people.
   2. These tests are culture-free and therefore can be used in other cultures.