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How to improve your IQ
The IQ test is controversial because it supposedly measures how intellectually bright you are in comparison with the rest of the population. The first IQ (Intelligence Quotient) test originated in France and was the work of Alfred Binet who sought to find a way to differentiate between normal children and children who were struggling at school. It was later revised by Lewis Terman in the US and the Stanford-Binet IQ test was born.
Many people misunderstand the IQ scoring system which works on the principle that a score of 100 is average. A higher score means you are above average in comparison with the rest of the population and a score of less than 100 indicates that you are lower than average. It is reckoned that about half of the population will score between 90 and 110 on a standard IQ test. As a rough guide, the following scores indicate your score in relation to the rest of the population.
• Over 130 – Extremely bright, only 2% of the population achieve this score
• Between 120 and 130 – Very bright, probably around 7% of the population
• Between 110 and 120 – Bright, 16% of the population
• Between 90 and 110 – Average, makes up about half the population so 50%
• Between 80 and 90 – Low average, 16%
• Between 70 and 80 – Borderline, 7%
• Lower than 70 – Extremely low, about 2%
A word of warning however, IQs may be a measure of something, even if it’s only one’s ability to sit IQ tests, but are they a true reflection of intelligence per se? Probably not! Intelligence depends on many factors such as environment, community, genetics, background etc. It is worth remembering that Einstein himself was not considered “intelligent” by any standard whilst at school.
Even if we cannot accurately measure intelligence with 100% accuracy, we do know that we can improve it and at the same time increase our potential as a human being. Here’s how.
Give your brain the right fuel
Our brains rely on essential fatty acids to function effectively, particularly Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which is found in oily fish and fish oil. If we don’t get enough EPA then we will rely on inferior fuels that will clog up our brain engine and perhaps even cause it to malfunction. Eating a varied and balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables helps too, along with regular exercise to keep our bodies and our brains in good working order.
Indulge in music
Psychologist Frances Rauscher and her colleagues discovered over 10 years ago that listening to Mozart appeared to improve nerve signalling in the brain leading to increased mental ability. Other research has shown that children who received music lessons scored a few points higher on an IQ test than children who didn’t. If nothing else, music can help you to relax and de-stress which in itself can make you feel better and help your brain to work more efficiently.
Exercise your mind
Keeping your brain active on a regular basis will naturally improve your ability to process information. For example, quizzes, puzzles, even bingo can keep your mental faculties tuned up and in good working order. Some studies have shown that mental workouts can increase IQ scores by up to 8%.
Get enough sleep
Regular good quality sleep is essential for effective brain function. No one can operate to the best of their ability if deprived of sleep for any length of time. Sleeping allows your brain to process information, solve problems and tidy up the mess left behind by all those seemingly insignificant and fleeting thoughts that pass through your mind throughout the day. It is said that Dmitri Mendeleev, the Russian chemist, dreamt the answer to the periodic table of elements one night after spending hours trying to work out the problem during the day so make sure you get enough sleep.
Finally - think positive
Your brain will listen to the messages you give it and take action. If you are telling yourself you are incapable, tired, anxious, fearful, you will fail that test or not get that job and so on, your brain will act accordingly and send out all those signals to your body to perpetuate your state of mind. Imagine then what you could do if you told your brain to send out different messages? Thinking positive works, try it.
Posted: 18 September 2007
Comments
Posted by DESMOND on 09 July 2008
THIS WEBSITE IS VERY USEFUL AND I AM VERY PLEASED. HOPING TO RECEIVE MORE STEPS ON IMPROVING MY IQ. PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
Posted by bejugam vinith on 04 June 2008
hi,i am vinith.good details.keep it up
Posted by phil on 13 May 2008
ihave scored 138 to 142 every time i take a iq test but i dont know what to do with all the information well i do but im not telling you lot LOL otherwise you would be making my kind of money but i cant spell to well and never bother with grammer and such bla fill this in with the power of your own mind then you will see what i see
Posted by Arieyhanz on 04 April 2008
By the way.. Mozart never slept.. How can be He still genius??
Posted by william on 20 December 2007
Tottaly agree. Eat sleep exercise and thats it.
Posted by nikhil on 06 December 2007
good detail true facts
i rely on your views
Posted by skyz on 29 October 2007
diego: how can on attain in anonymity yet everyone know about it ? - time ! - buddha's attainment was known to only a few in his time now many more and will be known by many more yet unborn - though of course linear time may just be a mental construct - but that is another subject - in that case everyone is already enlightened - and yes your statement is accurate - all spiritual enlightenment no matter what the label is the same as buddha mind - it could not be any other way - ultimate truth in non dual -
Posted by Diego on 23 October 2007
Kudos to Patrick for his explanation. However, I disagree that finding a self-conscious community that one can contribute to is the only way to reach a meaningful life. There are other ways as well.
For instance:
-Through religion (although I don’t think it is the wisest way)
-Friends
-Family
-Helping others in need
-Following a dream
-Learning
-Enjoying life
-Trying to improve one's I.Q. for bragging rights (not)
-Creating something
-A career
Skys:
Anyone who has reached spiritual enlightenment is considered a Buddha as far as Buddhism goes. Also, how can someone reach enlightenment in utter anonymity and yet everybody knows about it?
Posted by skyz on 23 October 2007
re patricks post: he is correct that internet iq tests are unreliable ~ maybe all iq tests are unreliable ~ however his argument that this leads to the conclusion "The internet is false-consciousness through anonymity" is not valid nor do i think it is sound(true)~ anonymity does not necessarily = 'false consciousness' ~ actually anything but ~ buddha became enlightened in utter anonymity as most probably have others
Posted by Shadow on 23 October 2007
I quit believing in the accuracy or truthfulness of IQ tests because I've gotten a different score with each one I've taken, ranging from 107 up to 137. I love trivia games and I'm almost addicted to learning new things, I get plenty of sleep, but I don't eat oily fish and I don't have an ounce of musical talent (does it count for anything that I was able to solve that "who owns the fish?" riddle that apparently only people with genius-level intelligence can solve?). I must be a bloody anomaly.
Posted by JB on 22 October 2007
JWolf, I am really curious as to which "online IQ tests" you participated in. I find it quite unrealistic that somebody as yourself scored such a high score on the IQ test. The tests in which you took must of been falsified and dulled down in order to make people who take it seem more intelligent.
Posted by Patrick on 22 October 2007
First, internet IQ tests are not reliable. In fact, the majority of them are designed to give the test taker a higher score so as to increase the likelihood of that user telling their friends about the test, which results in increased hits and, hence, increased income from advertisers. Second, there is an awful lot of pretension in these postings. An inflated self-image is usually more indicative of some sort of deeply ingrained pathology than self-actualization. Turn off your computer, read a book, and get a life.
P.S. If any of you are actually concerned with your IQ, because you think that a higher score makes you in some way more valuable as a person, then I truly pity you. If you want to lead a meaningful life, you must find a self-conscious community to live in and add to it through action and shared thought. The internet is false-consciousness through anonymity.
Posted by James on 22 October 2007
Intelligence is defined as someone's capacity for learning, reasoning, and understanding. IQ tests tend to give questions that people need to have previous knowledge about in order to answer them. The only real way to test someone's intelligence compared to everyone else is to allow them the same luxuries as everyone else (sleep, schooling, food, etc.), and then test them. But this is impossible. So called "IQ" tests don't really test someone's intelligence, however they do test someone's knowledge. I suggest a revised IQ test in which someone is given 20 minutes to learn a concept that they have yet to learn, and then test them on it an hour later. The people taking the test are required to eat the same food the day before, and get the same amount of sleep. This will test the person's learning capacity and memory, among other things, and would be a true calculation of the person's intelligence.
Posted by JWolf on 22 October 2007
I've placed from 133-138 in a few different types of IQ tests scattered across the net and in some school-based tests, but I feel I should be capable of more. I'm considering applying to MENSA just because it'd be something neat to have accomplished. However, lately I have been stuck in a situation that's been keeping me holed up for quite some time and I can almost swear by the feeling of actually losing brain-power. Back to the 'feeling of being capable of more'...
I have a beef with the school system and I honestly think its because the school system(at least here in NJ) is only concerned with cranking out numbers, not intelligent people. Prior to HS, there was a school-wide event where everyone was given the basics for the different class levels that we were to choose from...of the 3, only 2 come to mind...Remedial, and College Preparatory. The third was jammed between the two and given little coverage while College Prep was hinted to as being for 'smarter kids'(note: third option was actually for smart kids, college prep=average, and remedial=you can only guess). My realization that this was to make it easier for them(so they don't have to set up classes for those desiring higher learning) only came to mind after the HS was well under way. Sure, I failed classes and all that, but only because I was stuck with individuals that liked jabbing others with pencils or starting fights in class or had complete disregard for anything education-based. I honestly felt as if I was stuck in remedial...or at least the 'remedial' for my level. I ended up not wanting to try. The only effort I really had to make was surviving from day to day between racial disputes and all that junk. The probability that this is an issue that has only increased over time(the population of the area I live in has drastically increased each year) is not so much a question in my mind, but, rather, more of a reality.
I imagine a lot of people had to deal with a similar situation and thats upsetting. For my part, I really do believe I could have accomplished more if I was challenged at school with something intellectual and not with people that'd end up working the grease pits at a fast-food place. Whatever the case, it's disappointing and even depressing looking back and seeing how those in New Jersey's educational system could be so complacent. If such a thing is happening in more than 1 or 2 schools in south Jersey, then we're probably going to be watching society start its descent to remedial(after all, that might make it easier on setting up classes for everyone...put the geniuses in the same classes with people that can hardly use a fork).
If this all comes out sounding as if I'm prejudice, I'm honestly not. There are people who accomplish a lot at each level of society and some of that even exists in my own blood. My late brother wasn't the brains of the family, but did excellent at what he enjoyed doing...clamming! I haven't made more than $500 in a week of seriously hard work(and I make nothing now any week because I sit home taking care of my grandmother), yet he could literally rake in over a grand in a week without much effort. Unfortunately he lost his life when his boat went down 10 years ago, but my point remains the same... there's the chance to accomplish amazing things at any level of education. Its simply disappointing that, for those seeking legitimate 'higher education', there's a wall of complacency ready to lie to you.
Well...While I'm sitting here, I might as well put this question out there...
Anyone here have some suggestions for sites with IQ tests or anything similar? I'd really like to do some things in the time that I have to keep my mind relatively active(and not actively losing whatever smarts its accumulated so far).
Editors comments - We may just post an IQ test !! Thank you for your post !
Posted by skyz on 22 October 2007
one would hope that hahawhut would have more constructive things to say than to 'criticize' actually more constructive things to THINK ~ thinking 'outside the box' is a rare and special talent ~ and actually talent is most probably a greater blessing than intelligence alone ~ i know all about correct english but i am a poet not an english professor ~ ever heard of ee cummings ? *smile*
Posted by kyle on 22 October 2007
while i agree that an IQ test doesn't measure your intelligence, it's still the same test worldwide.
So, you're still getting an accurate measure of how you fare against the rest of the world in an IQ test.
Also, there is another method to improve your IQ;
and some people upto 40%!
It's called back propagation.
Basically, it's just words, jumbled up, except for the first and last letter.
Reading the words increases your IQ the next time you take a test.
It works, i tryed it.
Before, my IQ was 136.
After using back probagation for a month or so my IQ was 142. Not much of a leap, but EVERY test i did before came out with 136 or 137.
Here's an example of what I'm talking about: Adccornig to rcsheearch at Cmabrigde uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteres are at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a tatol mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by it slef but the wrod as a wlohe.
Posted by Ed A on 22 October 2007
The original "IQ" test was devised in the industrial age to measure how quickly a person can learn instructions to control logically connected machineries.
The age has come for the needs of people who can analyze and create from multi-faceted, somewhat chaotic, environments, like the information age.
IQ tests shoud be revised to find these types of people, otherwise we'll end up losing the right people who will advance the future, and only keep those who are fit for the old industrial age.
Posted by Bryan on 22 October 2007
We have an anti-discipline society here in America. We tend to view discipline as something that represses a person's abilities. I dislike IQ tests, personally- even though I'm in the top 2 percent- because they claim to be a measure of learning aptitude, but are- if you really think about it- mostly a measure of what the person has already learned. So, the argument is, either you're born with it, or you aren't. This is obviously not true. I mean, yes, you are either born retarded or you're not, but that's not the same. If you can instill a passion in a child for learning, all the work of studying will barely seem like work to that child. Diet and sleep play a HUGE role, and right now, in my opinion public schools are waking kids up too soon. And kids that are taught PHONICS as opposed to WHOLE-WORD READING (Which is arrogantly defended by teacher's unions) end up light-years ahead of their counterparts. Why do sociologists and teacher's unions act so surprised when you assert that WORKING HARD AT LEARNING MAKES YOU SMARTER? Why is that such a shocking conclusion?
Posted by Mike on 22 October 2007
I was a genius who skipped two grades in school... In my mid 30s now I feel that one thing has really boosted my intelligence and creativity in the last 5 years.... smoking pot. Seriously. I didn't start until I was 30
My creativity, data visualization skills, intelligence, and creativity have gone through the roof as a result. So has my income.
Ya... load up your critical response back to me.
Editors Comments - We dont condone this comment!
Posted by Tom Buckner on 22 October 2007
There's great stuff on improving your mind over at www.winwenger.com and also www.emofree.com I recommend highly.
skyz is right: use your head and your life will be better, rich or not. Many people's biggest problems are silly stuff they did to themselves. Sad, but true. Or bad stuff someone else did which they would have been better able to stop if their own thinking had been clearer.
Diet is important too. Did you know Leonardo's favorite food was minestrone? Hard to find a more balanced food.
Posted by hahawhut on 22 October 2007
One would think with all the education skyz claims, she would have learned what punctuation was!
Posted by Diego on 21 October 2007
Intelligence doesn't serve any purpose without effort. Effort doesn't serve any purpose without an aspiration. Aspiration doesn’t serve any purpose without a purpose.
I.Q. is not a measure of intelligence; it is the measure foolishness.
I think that people now-a-days are so empty inside that they have to find a treasure they can hold on to.
Posted by skyz on 21 October 2007
it was discovered that i could read at three ~ i read an ad for a doll that walked and talked on the back page of my father's newspaper ~ when he realized i could read i had that doll like instantly ~ that was the day i learned i could get what i wanted using my mind ~ i always scored highest in my clas on stanford binet ~ i did not pay anything for my 250 college credits ~ but since i am blonde and think outside the box some people think i am not so smart ~ i am thinking on studying the game of poker to take advantge of this ~ i used to read a couple of books a day ~ now i roam the net and compose music ~ smart = good quality of life no matter the budget ~ i am extremely grateful for my good fortune and do my best to be good and serve other sentient beings ~ bohdisatva in training ~ namaste
Posted by Kyle Manjaro on 21 October 2007
There is NO standard or consensus definition of "Intelligence" (check that FACT out for yourself!) - so how can there be a standard TEST for an undefined property (intelligence) ???
So called "IQ" tests test for a relatively narrow range and types of language and mathematical reasoning aptitudes.
How scores on these "tests" have themselves become the defacto DEFINITION of "Intelligence" is a classic case of circular definition (given by an 'airily' defined mental age/actual age ratio derived from performance statistics on the test).
Intelligence (or better yet, 'intelligences'!) is a multidimensional reality. Whatever 'Intelligence Tests' test for is a poor shadow of that.
Let's get real and invest some real effort in, at first, clarifying and converging on some agreed definition of this "thinking water" skill (humans are literally composed of mostly water!). Devising a test (or tests) for these intelligences could then at least be done so on the basis of an agreed and 'intelligent!!' understanding.
(Imagine measuring "height", "weight", "humor" etc if there wasn't an intrinsic understanding joined to an explicit, operational definition of what these terms mean such that measurements can be made without economic, cultural, social or other kinds of bases - if that's possible.)
Posted by Eli on 21 October 2007
you need to realize that correlation doesn't cause causation. the fact that people who take music lessons score higher doesn't mean music makes them smarter it could simply be that people who gravitate towards music tend to be brighter.
Posted by Earl on 21 October 2007
While I don't believe there is a clear cut method of determining intelligence, we can discern the ability to retain and use knowledge. I believe we all retain experiences and learned knowledge to some extent but some do better than others. The ability to transfer knowledge into something useful is my idea of intelligence. While I think genetics plays a role I do think the environment we grew up in, what we were exposed to and early training certainly have had their effects.
Since the brain, as I understand it, runs on electricity I've always felt there is a electro-magnetic grid that is through out the universe. I believe that all brains tap into this grid, some better than others and that is why sleep and dreaming are important. It is during the sleep period I brains tap into the grid and learn from others (past and present) and gain knowledge not yet understood. I believe it support the possibility of clairvoyance and ESP. I hope someday this will be proven out.
Posted by Penny on 21 October 2007
Lately, I have been writing up some new mathematical results for publication, and bitching about how lately ( in my fifties), I seem to be sleeping long hours at night--sometimes twelve or fourteen hours!
On the other hand, I have found it amazing how much sharper this has made me, how many new ideas
and insights I have now. Things impossible for me before have become quite easy!
My writing project has benefited greatly from the increased sleep.
I wish that I had discovered this many years ago.
I now think that the eight hour sleep cycle is a fiction created by the corporate world a few centuries ago--to get three shifts in at the factories.
Posted by penny on 21 October 2007
Listening to Mozart has no effect, it turns out.
But, teaching your kids to PLAY Mozart does!
Early childhood education based on intense problem solving, mental visualization etc., has a
great effect. This is demonstrated by the program followed by the Parents of Norbert Wiener, and the Polgar sisters.
Reading should start very early--long before six
years of age.
Posted by Maureen W on 21 October 2007
my mother was told by my first grade teacher, a nun, the following: "Don't expect too much from maureen, she doesen't have it." I have four (4) degrees, have three historical fiction novels published and four waiting publication. As for IQ, I think that stress, particuliarly at home, poor learning habits and negative behavior, or a complete lack of affirmation cause IQs, to go off the radar.
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