How we write and score our questions
Practice is only useful if the questions are fair and the scores are honest. This page explains where our questions come from, how we check them, and what a IQ Test Exam score means.
Every question is original
We write every question ourselves. We never copy, paraphrase or reconstruct questions from real tests: real test content is copyrighted, and people who take those tests agree not to share it. Instead we study the publicly described format of each test (number of questions, time limit, question types) and write new questions that practise the same skills.
A person checks each question before it goes live
- Every question has exactly one correct answer and a written explanation.
- Automatic checks catch broken questions: missing answers, duplicate options, wrong formats.
- A reviewer works through each question before it is published. Questions waiting for review are never shown on the live site.
- After launch, we watch how people answer each question. If strong test takers keep getting one wrong, we re-check it for a mistake.
Pattern puzzles are generated, then reviewed
Our Raven-style pattern puzzles are built by a program from simple rules, such as a shape gaining a side at each step or each row holding the same three shadings. Software then checks that exactly one answer fits and that the answer cannot be guessed just by looking at the options. A person still reviews each puzzle before it is used.
How scoring works
- Your answers are scored on our server. A correct answer scores one point; wrong and blank answers score zero.
- Percentiles compare you with other people who took the same practice test under the same timing, counting only their first attempt. Until enough people have taken a test, we estimate the percentile from the difficulty of its questions and label it as an early estimate.
- Practice scores show where you stand and what to work on. They are not the score you will get on the real test, and our IQ estimates are not clinical results.
Found a question you think is wrong? Tell us and we will check it. See also our disclaimer.