What is an Intelligence Quotient (IQ)?

An Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is fundamentally defined as a score that reflects a person’s reasoning ability in relation to age-based norms. This score is derived from standardized tests designed to assess human intelligence, focusing primarily on cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, logical reasoning, and comprehension skills. The comparison to age norms allows for an understanding of an individual's cognitive capability relative to their peers, making it a valuable tool in psychological and educational evaluations.

In contrast to scores measuring emotional intelligence, which evaluate skills in recognizing one's own emotions and those of others, or academic performance, which assesses knowledge specific to school subjects, an IQ score specifically zeroes in on abstract reasoning and problem-solving skills. Additionally, while leadership potential can involve various factors, including emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, it is not measured by IQ alone, as leadership skills extend beyond cognitive abilities to include social and motivational dimensions. This distinction is why the indication that IQ is a measure of reasoning ability compared to age norms is accurate and conveys the crux of what an IQ test aims to determine.