How to Prepare a Child for an IQ Test

IQ tests are being used as a tool that not only identifies children that are gifted, but to also identify children that may have learning challenges or a cognitive disability. If a parent is concerned about his child’s development and seeks the assistant of a child psychologist, an IQ test is often used as part of a battery of tests to determine the child’s strengths and weaknesses. On the flip side, if a parent or a teacher believes that a given child may be gifted, an IQ test is given to determine if the child qualifies for a school’s gifted program. Preparing your child for an IQ test is the first step to a successful test session.

Things You'll Need

  • Child’s Favorite Snack
  • Computer with Internet Connection
  • Web Browser

Instructions

    • 1

      Schedule the IQ test to take place when your child is at his best, if possible. If your child is going to be taking part in a group-administered test (as is often the case with school-based IQ tests) then you may not have the ability to choose the time.

    • 2

      Explain to your child, in age-appropriate terminology, that they will be taking a test that will require them to really concentrate and focus. Do not build up the importance of this test because you don’t want to create a level of anxiety in the child that will inhibit her performance.

    • 3

      Ask the examiner which test your child will be given and the exam’s publisher. A popular school-based IQ test is the CogAT by Riverside Publishing. Other well-known IQ tests are the Stanford-Binet and the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children (WISC). Basic information about the exams will be given on the publisher’s website. While no questions or answers are listed, you can read up on how the exam is typically administered. Explaining the process to your child beforehand will enable him to be more comfortable during testing.

    • 4

      Allow the child to have plenty of rest the night before as well as a good breakfast on the day of the exam. Depending on the age of the child and the IQ test chosen, your child may be in testing for several hours.

    • 5

      Provide a snack. Again, depending on the test that is chosen, your child may be able to take a small break between modules. Refueling her mind with a favorite snack is a good way to ensure her focus during the remainder of the IQ testing process.

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