Understanding our IQ assessment and development approach
Thank you for being a founding member! You are among the first 100 participants helping establish empirical norms for this assessment. Your IQ score is currently preliminary and calculated using theoretical norms based on cognitive science principles. While your score uses established psychometric frameworks (CHC theory, standard IQ scale Mean=100, SD=15), it should be considered an estimate until we complete norming studies with sufficient sample size (Phase 3 of our roadmap).
What this means: Your cognitive profile pattern and domain strengths/weaknesses are reliable and meaningful. Population-referenced precision (percentiles, age adjustments) will improve as we gather empirical data at milestones: 100 participants (initial norms), 2,000+ (validated norms).
What we measure and how we measure it
Intelligence Quotient (IQ) assessments measure cognitive abilities across multiple domains. Our assessment is built on the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory—the most comprehensive and empirically supported model of human cognitive abilities in modern psychometrics.
Unlike many online tests that focus on a single ability type (often only pattern recognition), we assess a broad spectrum of cognitive functions:
Your overall IQ score is reported on the standard scale (Mean=100, SD=15) used by clinical instruments like the WAIS-IV and Stanford-Binet for interpretability. However, our assessment uses different item types and administration methods, so scores should not be directly compared to clinical IQ tests:
Your score is calculated using Classical Test Theory (CTT) with difficulty-weighted scoring and the established CHC theoretical framework. Item difficulties are currently based on theoretical estimates and will be empirically calibrated as we collect participant data. However, precise IQ scoring requires large-scale norming studies to refine item parameters through empirical calibration and establish population-referenced norms.
We're currently in Phases 1-2 of a 3-phase validation process (see roadmap below). Your score reflects:
Your preliminary score uses criterion-referenced interpretation: it estimates your cognitive ability based on the difficulty levels you mastered, compared to theoretical expectations. This is valid and meaningful for understanding your cognitive profile.
Norm-referenced scoring (available after 100+ participants) compares your performance to actual population distributions, enabling percentile rankings and age-adjusted scores. Both approaches are scientifically valid—they serve different purposes.
Be part of IQ assessment history
The first 100 participants in IQ Academy Pro are founding members who play a critical role in establishing this assessment as a research-grade instrument.
By completing this assessment, you contribute data that enables:
Transparency promise: We will always clearly communicate what your scores represent at each norming phase. We believe early participants deserve both immediate insights AND the benefit of progressively refined scores as our dataset grows.
We're building this assessment in three distinct phases, following established best practices in psychological test development. Here's where we are and where we're going:
Target: 2,000+ demographically diverse participants
Current Status: Active enrollment
Estimated Start: After 100 completions
Your Participation MattersEvery assessment completed in Phase 2 improves our normative database and item calibration. Founding members (1-100) will automatically receive updated scores when initial norms are established.
Target: 1000+ participants | Estimated Start: 2025-2026
At completion of Phase 3, scores transition to "Validated Norm-Referenced" status.
Unlike many online IQ tests that make unsubstantiated claims about accuracy, we're building this assessment in the open with full transparency about our development status. You know exactly what phase we're in, what your score represents at each milestone, and how we're progressing toward professionally validated norms. We update this roadmap regularly as we reach new milestones.
Your preliminary IQ score is suitable for:
Your preliminary IQ score should NOT be used for:
Consider a formal evaluation by a licensed psychologist if you need scores for legal, educational, or medical purposes, are concerned about developmental delays, require accommodations, or want highly precise measurement with narrower confidence intervals (±6-8 points vs. ±15-20 points).
We're committed to transparency about our assessment development. If you have questions about our methodology or want to provide feedback, we'd love to hear from you.
Last updated: October 2025 | IQ Academy Pro is an educational product, not a clinical service.