The IQ test refers to one of several types of standardized tests designed to evaluate intelligence among the population. Said abbreviation – IQ – originated from Intelligenz-Quotient, a term coined by psychologist William Stern in his research on human intelligence.

The differences between intelligence and intelligence quotient must be discussed in order to understand the differences between education and intelligence. Keep in mind that human intelligence falls into several categories including verbal, numerical and spatial, among others, many of which cannot be measured in an objective and accurate manner via IQ scores and the like.

Intelligence and IQ

On one hand, intelligence refers to the individual’s capacity to acquire knowledge, apply said knowledge, and engage in abstract reasoning activities. Think of it as the power of your intellect in several forms including your ability for verbal, numerical and interpersonal activities.

On the other hand, intelligence quotient pertains to the final score garnered on an IQ test. In its original form, IQ was measured in terms of quotient with the formula being:

IQ = Mental Age x Chronological Age x 100

Nowadays, the scores are calibrated in relation to the norms in the actual population scores. The population scores are generally divided into the following categories:

Score – Category – Percentage of Population with the Score

Under 70 Mentally retarded 2.2%

70-80 Borderline retarded 6.7%

80-90 Low average 16.1%

90-110 Average 50%

110-120 High average 16.1%

120-130 Superior 6.7%

Over 130 Very superior 2.2%

If you have a score of 120 on an IQ test, your intelligence is considered as high average – a trait that you share with 16.1% of the population. In general, the higher the IQ scores, the more likely that the individual has gained formal education because of the standardized approach in both cases.

Intelligence and Education

In the case of education and intelligence, both involve the acquisition of knowledge, skills and abilities but the similarities basically stop at this point. Intelligence is an innate ability – the natural abilities we are born with and, thus, it is an internal and intrinsic force.

In previous years, intelligence was measured via the likes of an IQ test but it has been considered as too limited and too limiting in the measurement of true intelligence. Nowadays, the theory of multiple intelligences proposed by Howard Gardener is gaining traction in the scientific community, said theory of which states that there are 8 types of intelligence, namely:

• Visual

• Logical-Mathematical

• Linguistic

• Spatial

• Bodily-Kinesthetic

• Musical

• Interpersonal

• Intrapersonal

• Naturalist

Unfortunately, many of these types of intelligences like bodily-kinesthetic cannot be measured by an IQ test. This means that an individual with an average score on the test may well be intelligent in other aspects like intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence – and vice-versa.

Education, in contrast, is an extrinsic force provided by a third party usually a teacher, a mentor or a parent. It is what provides fuel toward the development of an individual’s natural intelligence.

The implication: A highly-educated person may not be highly intelligent while a highly intelligent individual may not be highly-educated. The relationship between education and intelligence cannot be quantified in a simple proportional equation wherein the higher the education, the higher the intelligence.

It must be said, nonetheless, that innate intelligence can be fully developed with the right formal education and informal exposure as well as a supportive environment. The key is in the identification of the type of intelligence and then its development to full fruition.

In the end, an IQ test will identify your abilities in certain areas and, thus, enable administrators, employers and other third parties to judge your intelligence for certain purposes but your IQ score is not the be-all and end-all of your life. Would you like to learn more visit website here.