Intelligence tests are meant to measure a person's innate-- or natural-- intelligence. This refers to the capacity for intelligence you have built in without preparation. I decided to evaluate the Wechsler Intelligence Test. This is a common test used to evaluate individual intelligence.

There are two versions of the Weschler Intelligence test: the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS).

• WISC: "Originally developed in 1949, the WISC was intended as an improvement over the Wechsler–Bellevue Intelligence Scale of 1939, which in turn improved upon the older, uni-dimensional Binet Scale. The test was administered to determine cognitive function in children aged 5 to 15. In recent years, 6 - 16 has become the preferred range.

  The WISC measures two aspects of intelligence in children: verbal and performance intelligence. Verbal intelligence includes aspects like vocabulary and comprehension; performance intelligence includes matrix reasoning and picture completion. The WISC requires between 65 – 80 minutes for administration and generates a score typical of most IQ tests. The average score is 100 with higher scores indicating higher than average intelligence and lower scores indicating lower levels of intelligence.

  This instrument is sometimes used to help diagnosis low cognitive functioning or disability in teens and adults instead of using the more age-appropriate WAIS, which may be too difficult for this population group" (Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children Vs. Adults).

• WAIS: "The WAIS was initially introduced in 1955 as an alternative to the Binet Scale to measure intelligence in adults. By the 1960's, the WAIS had surpassed even the newer version of the Binet Scale, the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, as the preeminent tool for testing adult intelligence levels.

  Like the WISC, the WAIS undergoes frequent revision to improve the test and to keep its contents current. Early version measured only verbal and nonverbal intelligence; however, the 2008 version of the WAIS (WAIS-IV) included ten sub-tests that examined many facets of human intellect, including memory. This makes the test a potentially useful instrument in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease" (Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children Vs. Adults).

The Weschler Test website offered a full test or a shortened, sample test for adults. I went into the test knowing nothing other than this was one of the most common IQ tests used. I opted for the 15 minute quiz.

As it turns out the quiz allows 15 minutes, but you do not need to take that amount of time. The quiz offered 15 questions varying from analogies, to jumbled words, to spatial reasoning, to math word problems, to patterns. At the end, the quiz allotted an estimated score on the Weschler Scale.

"The WAIS categories are based on a mean of 100 and listed as follows:
Scores 130 and beyond are considered to be gifted.
Scores between 120 and 129 are considered to have a very high intelligence.
Scores between 110 and 119 are bright normal intelligence.
Scores between 90 to 109 is average intelligence.
Any score below an average mean score of 70 is considered to be of borderline intelligence.

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Version 3 (1997)" (IQ And Wechsler's Criteria).

As I worked through the material, I noted that some material was unclear or vague. This would be especialy apparent for people who, like me, didn't have a background in this test. The subjects of the questions were not always fairly worded in ways or using topics that would be understood by the everyday person. What if someone didn't have experience with primes, with certain foods, with anagrams? Luckily, I did, but even so I was confused on a couple.

For example the test included questions such as:

Test takers could be hindered by use of the terms even, odd, sequencce, and consecutive, but might otherwise be able to answer the question.

Test takers might not be familiar with all options or with jumbled letter puzzles.

Test takers might be hindered by not understandng the meaning of the question, beyond their knowledge of simple number sense.

Test takers might not be familier with the options presented or understand how an analogy is set up.

In nearly all questions, the directions were often vague and the subjects were not universal. Additionally, with an multiple choice exam test takers could simply guess, which would skew results. Also, you could restart the exam. I tried this to see what would be provided. Some questions repeated, some seemed harder, and some seemed wildly easier; this means a test taker could simply try again and get a different score.

Up to this point though, I was still on board with the idea of a baseline or at least interested in what it said. However, from there I began to look through the resources and information provided. There was an entire section on how to PREPARE for the test. Clearly, this part is the part I hoped not to see-- but knew I would. The website provided links, sample questions, and tips to prepare.

The idea of preparing for an IQ test alone goes are capaple of the point of the exam. Additionally, the tips assume priviledge and access. You had to know what to look for to get here, assumes the test taker can access pretests and online resources, discusses how to dress and what to eat (which is not always a choice for many subcategories of students), and much more. This section alone convined me that IQ testing has for the most part become a method of reaffirming the already priviledged. While intelligence testing has a purpose, the fact that it has become so commercialized has turned it into an even less reliable tool than it was previously. 

“IQ And Wechsler's Criteria.” About the Wechsler Test, http://wechslertest.com/about-wechsler-intelligence-test/iq-and-wechslers-criteria

“Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children Vs. Adults.” Wechsler Test, wechslertest.com.

"What To Do To Prepare." Weschler Test, http://wechslertest.com/how-to-prepare-for-the-wechsler-test