IQ

Can you give me tips on how to boost my iq and memory?

Also, what does intelligence qoutient mean?
- Anonymous (age 14)
Alexandria, VA, USA

IQ’s are supposed to be measures of how well people can do various mental tasks, especially the sorts of mental tasks involved in school work. The measurement is made by asking a series of questions on a test, so it’s not surprising that performance on IQ tests is closely connected with performance on school tests. The standard IQ tests are intended to put more emphasis on how fast you can think about new problems and less emphasis on accumulated knowledge than most school tests. The "quotient" part of the name is a reminder that the scores are adjusted for age. To score 100, a 12-year-old would need to answer more questions correctly than would a 10-year-old on the same exam. In practice, more difficult exams are administered to older people than to younger people.

As for how to boost IQ, I don’t know. Why not just study whatever you find interesting, and forget about IQ? My advice, as a 52-year old, on how to have a good memory is to stay under 30 years old for as long as possible.

Mike W.

(published on 10/22/2007)