IQ results... Can anyone explain this to me?

EricLG
Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:34:38 +0000

hmm … explanation first, then editorial.

Explanation: the sub-scores are ages. E.g if kid is 13 and scores 15 on a certain sub-test the result means kid performed at an average 15 year old level in that sub-test. The final ‘IQ’ number is probably easiest understood when translated as a percentile: he did better than about 98% of the population. For the math inclined – the IQ test is a normal distribution with a mean of 100 and a SD of 15.

Editorial: If this test told you anything about the kid you already don’t know you have not been paying attention.

Editorial #2 (and apologies if I offend): Labels of LD are a fool’s game. Encourage the kid’s curiosity and talents; give him love, encouragement and discipline; help find adaptation strategies when needed, and shun forehead stickers. Parents love them as a ready made excuse and for leverage dealing with teachers, and in unlucky cases the child adopts a crutch. Uneven aptitudes is not a curse or a disease, it is a whole lot better than being mediocre all around. Ask Feynman when you see him.