Intelligence testing started over a century ago and today remains a hot topic in the scientific community. Intelligence tests are commonly used to determine cognitive potential. It is generally accepted that IQ scores can remain relatively stable throughout adulthood.
But what about during childhood and adolescence? At what age is an IQ score considered stable and reliable?
In this article, we will explore the answer to this question by looking at different studies and research on IQ test scores during childhood and adolescence. We will discuss developmental milestones, the concept of “crystallized” intelligence, and how environmental variables can affect IQ scores.
Finally, we will provide estimates of when an IQ score can be considered stable and reliable.
Child Developmental Milestones
It is important to understand developmental milestones when attempting to understand when an IQ score can be considered stable. Children develop at different rates but there are some broad developmental milestones that they generally follow.
Generally speaking, a child should have developed language skills and basic motor skills by the age of two and have established social connections by the age of five. New cognitive skills such as problem solving and initiative are developed by the age of seven or eight and higher order thinking, such as the ability to think abstractly and understand cause and effect, are acquired by the end of elementary school. It is important to note that these milestones are only guidelines and can vary from child to child.
Some children may reach certain milestones much earlier or later than others. Additionally, some children may take longer to reach certain milestones due to environmental, cognitive, or physical handicaps.
Crystallized Intelligence
Another important concept to consider is crystallized intelligence. Crystallized intelligence refers to the ability to use learned information and prior experience in order to make decisions and solve problems. It is something that can be improved upon with more exposure.
Different types of IQ tests, such as verbal IQ tests, are designed to measure crystallized intelligence. Because these types of tests are largely based on exposure and experience, they are not as reliable when taking them at younger ages, as some children may not have had the same level of exposure to certain topics or concepts.
For this reason, an IQ test should not be taken before the age of 7 or
Environmental Variables
Environmental variables such as quality of education, level of parental involvement, economic status, and access to medical care can all play a role in intelligence development. These variables can influence the level of exposure a child has to certain information or concepts, which can affect the accuracy of an IQ test score. It is for this reason that IQ tests should not be taken until the age of 8 in order to minimize the effects of environmental variables.
A child’s level of motivation and interest in the test can also affect their IQ score. Tests taken during elementary school may not accurately reflect the true cognitive potential of the child due to the lack of motivation and interest.
Age of Reliability
Most experts agree that an IQ score taken between the ages of 8 and 13 can be considered reliable. This is because the child has likely reached the required developmental milestones and had enough exposure to language, concepts, and problem solving skills to display their true cognitive potential. It is important to note that IQ scores can remain relatively stable throughout adulthood, however, there is still a small chance of them fluctuating as a result of environmental or psychological factors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, IQ scores taken between the ages of 8 and 13 are considered the most reliable. This is because the child has likely reached the required developmental milestones and had enough exposure to language, concepts, and problem solving skills to display their true cognitive potential.
Furthermore, it is important to note that environmental variables can still affect IQ scores and that scores can fluctuate slightly in adulthood.