The science of intelligence
What intelligence is, how researchers measure and model it, and what the evidence says about genes, the brain, age and training. Every claim links to its source.
Want your own number? The test is 25 visual puzzles, about 12 minutes, no sign-up.
What intelligence is
Theories and models
- 01Theories of intelligenceFrom Spearman’s g to Gardner and Sternberg, with the evidence.
- 02Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theoryg at the top, broad abilities in the middle, narrow skills below.
- 03Gardner's theory of multiple intelligencesEight intelligences, a popular idea, and thin empirical support.
- 04Sternberg's triarchic theory of intelligenceAnalytical, creative and practical intelligence.
- 05What is emotional intelligence?Ability and trait models, how EI is measured and what it predicts.
- 06EQ vs IQ: what is the difference?Two different measures, how they overlap, and what each predicts.
Reasoning skills
- 01What is logical reasoning?Deduction, induction and the classic tasks that trip people up.
- 02Inductive vs deductive reasoningFrom examples to a rule, or from rules to a certain conclusion.
- 03What is pattern recognition?Finding the rule from a few examples: the core of fluid reasoning.
- 04What is abstract reasoning?Rules, working memory and the matrix puzzle at the heart of IQ tests.
- 05What is numerical reasoning?Reasoning with numbers, from number series to word problems.
- 06What is spatial reasoning (spatial intelligence)?Reasoning about shapes and space in your head.
- 07Verbal vs nonverbal intelligenceWords and knowledge versus shapes and patterns.
Try one · Pattern Recognition
Which tile comes next?
Tap the option you think is right, or show the answer.
Show the answer
The missing tile shows a very large hatched square (option 3).
How to solve it
- Compare neighboring tiles and name what changes each time.
- From tile to tile, the square gets bigger.
- The fill cycles hatched, solid and outline, then starts again.
- Everything else stays the same from tile to tile.
- The last tile shows a large outlined square. Apply each change once more.
- So the missing tile shows a very large hatched square.
That was 1 puzzle. The full test has 25.
The abilities underneath
Genes, brain and environment
Change and difference
- 01Can you raise your intelligence?Education helps. Brain games mostly make you better at brain games.
- 02Intelligence across the lifespanRank is fairly stable. Some abilities rise, others slow.
- 03What does gifted mean?Definitions, cutoffs and what one score cannot tell you.
- 04Creativity and intelligenceRelated, but much less than people assume.
- 05Intelligence and healthWhat large studies found, and why it is a group pattern.
Free tools: IQ percentile calculator · Percentile to IQ converter · IQ score chart
Related
- No. 01What is intelligence?The research definition, and how it differs from an IQ score.
- No. 02Theories of intelligenceFrom Spearman’s g to Gardner and Sternberg, with the evidence.
- No. 03The g factorSpearman's general ability, and why different tests agree.
- No. 04QuestionsShort, sourced answers to the most asked IQ questions.
- No. 05GlossaryThe terms behind IQ scores, defined in plain English.
25 puzzles · about 12 min
Find your IQ in 12 minutes.
25 visual puzzles, free to take. Your full result, with your estimated IQ, percentile and five-area breakdown, is $4.95 one time.
Free to take. Full result $4.95, one time. No subscription.