How to Determine the Predictive Validity of an IQ Test

IQ, or intelligence quotient, tests are designed to measure a person's intelligence. There are different types of IQ tests but one of the more popular and well researched is the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) or the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC). For a measurement to be considered useful, it must be reliable and valid. One type of validity is predictive validity. This is where a score on the IQ test predicts some other measure.

Instructions

• 1

  Decide what you want to test --- for example, determine if the IQ test can predict grades in school or a successful career.

• 2

  Select a representative sample.

• 3

  Have your sample complete an IQ test or find results from a study already done.

• 4

  Compare IQ scores of your sample to other measures, such as academic grades, type of career, or whatever you feel the IQ test should predict.

• 5

  Determine correlation by computing a correlational coefficient. If there is a high correlation between IQ tests and other measures, then the IQ test has predictive validity.