Types of Intelligence Tests

 Types of Intelligence Tests

Intelligence tests are classified on two bases: number of subjects or examines, and forms of presentation of the tests. Intelligence tests are divided into two categories on the basis of number of the subjects or examines: individual intelligence tests and group intelligence tests. They are also classified into two types on the basis of their presentation: verbal intelligence tests and non-verbal intelligence tests. These two classifications of intelligence tests can be understood by the following chart collectively:

The intelligence tests are divided into two types on the basis of number of subjects or examines: individual intelligence tests and group intelligence tests.

1. Individual Intelligence Tests: These are those intelligence tests which can be administered on only one subject or examine at one time. In these tests, the examiner first establishes rapport with the subject and brings him into normal mental condition; he frees him from all kinds of fears and anxieties. After this, he gives directions about the test, and a last, asks him to answer the questions included in the test. Some of the important tests of this type are: Stanford-Binet test of Intelligence Wechsler Intelligence Scale, Merril and Palmer Intelligence Scale, Pinter Peterson Performance Scale, Merril-Palmer Block Building Test and Porteus Maze Test.

The chief characteristic of these tests is that there is establishment of rapport between the examiner and the examine in their administration the examine is free from all kinds of fears and anxieties, and he answers in normal state of mind. As a result, his intelligence can be measured properly. Another characteristic of these tests is that they are administered by specialists, so they have more validity and reliability Their third characteristic is that they can also be used to measure the intelligence of very tiny children and dull children. And fourth and the last characteristic is that these tests are more useful in the field of mental diagnosis and vocational guidance.

2. Group Intelligence Tests: These are those intelligence tests which can be administered on a large number of subjects at a time. The administration of these tests does not require the examiner to establish rapport with the subjects. He distributes the intelligence tests himself or gets them distributed. The directions about the test are printed on the tests themselves, or they are printed separately for distribution. Some of such important tests are: Army Alpha Test, Burt's Group Intelligence Test, Jalota's Intelligence Test, Raven's Progressive Matrix, Cattell's Culture Free Test and Army Beta Test. 

The chief characteristic of these tests is that they can be constructed and standardised easily. Second, their administration is easy, and does not require specialists. Third, their administration can be done on hundreds of subjects together at one time. As a result, their administration needs less time, energy and money; they are less expensive. Fourth and last they are especially suitable for selection and classification of students and persons