The Inevitable Test

Psychologists have come up with many tests to evaluate different levels of intelligence. The most known are the IQ and aptitude tests. These tests are not necessary in psychological evaluation. The information that is gathered from these tests should not be used for placement in any situation. Unfortunately, tests are used to evaluate academic intelligence, mental disabilities, and job performance.

The IQ test was developed by a French psychologist in the 1900s. The government wanted him to come up with a test to separate the smart kids from the slow ones. Alfred Binet created an intelligence quotient test because some students needed more attention in schools. The test mostly consisted of the children following commands. After the test became popular in Paris, many schools wanted to use them. Today the tests are still being used, for more than academic placement.

These days most children still have to take IQ or aptitude tests for academic placement. If a child scores poorly on a test, they are placed in a slow paced class. The reason for this is because then the teacher can give them the attention they need. Sometimes the children have to take one of these tests when they are very hyperactive. The teachers believe that if a student has a behavior problem that it will interfere with the learning process. Many think that if the tests are taken by these troubled children it will help the parents and teachers better understand the needs of the child. The tests are used to place children in a specific class that can meet their needs.

Many children must take an IQ test so psychologists can evaluate mental disabilities. The tests become harder every fifteen to twenty years. This seems to keep the average score of 100, which is reached by many more children over the years. Sadly, for children that have mild mental retardation it causes them to have to take special classes. They also have to have more attention or help when it comes to normal classes. The children then start to believe that they need special needs when it comes to life in general. Many students qualify for the special classes due to the harder IQ tests. This causes the mental retardation statistics to rise.

The tests that are used to evaluate academic intelligence and mental disabilities also evaluate job performance. They use the tests to predict a variety of jobs. They can find out what the employees are qualified for. The tests can also find out if the employees qualify for any of the positions. The tests required when applying for certain jobs require social skills, critical thinking, and interpersonal effectiveness. The one thing it can not measure is creativity.

Many tests that psychologists give usually are given for placement. An IQ or aptitude is a test that evaluates people mentally. The IQ test determines a person’s mental age. A person with an IQ level of 50-55 is considered mildly retarded. The average score for the IQ test is 100, but it is usually based on a person’s age.

The many tests that psychologists have come up with can be somewhat helpful in concluding if a child has a mental disability. However the tests should not be used in placement of academic intelligence. When it comes to getting a job, the IQ and aptitude tests should not be used. The tests do not show a persons full capabilities. These tests are however used to evaluate academic intelligence, mental disabilities, and job performance.