afraid of taking an IQ test

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Hi all,

Today I was told that I have to take some psychological tests in September and I am quite sure this will include an IQ test. I have already been diagnosed by a pychiatrist, but they want me to take these tests in order to see how much I am affected.

The problem is... I am really terrified by the idea. People (my parents, my teachers, the psychiatrist who diagnosed me) wanted me to take an IQ test several times, because they all felt sure that I am intellectually gifted. I always refused to do that and told them that I am not. I know that and I took an online test which said that I was right in supposing that I am rather mentally challenged. At least it said that I am worse than the average Actually, while I am pretty good in some areas, I am incapable to solve many problems.

I do not want to take a real IQ test in case the psychologist then tells me that I really am mentally challenged. If that is the case (and it is not unlikely) I would rather not know. Do you think I can ask them to leave out the IQ test or not tell me the result?

Thanks,

little black sheep

Just relax, stop thinking about the test now, when it is time to do it, take some coffee and do it, a professional test is much broader than online test and i am sure you'll do just fine!

You are fully within your rights to simply refuse to take an IQ test as you always have.

online IQ tests give me a much lower score than my actual IQ, which is average. I think you'll find that an actual IQ is quite a bit different. Things are laid out in front of you. Actual cards, blocks to manipulate, things to write, point to, say... it's more involved and engaged and has multiple imput/outputs instead of limited.

I am afraid of IQ tests as well. It is because I am not smart. Some people think I am for some odd reason but its only because of my extensive knowledge in psychology and current events. Basically my obsessions. I have taken numerous IQ tests and I scored low. I score around 82 which in doctor speak its called "Borderline Intellectual Functioning." It is one step from being classified as mentally ret*d. I am the total opposite on online tests however for some odd reason. I score in the 120's. I believe the reason is because I am allowed to guess and online tests are multiple choice and all throughout college I had these kinds of tests and scored high. Once during a neuropsychological exam, I asked them to leave out the IQ test. It was a fight but because I took one recently, they didn't give me one again. But during psychological tests I bet you have to take one. I fear being called mentally challenged as well. My school in Oregon basically implied it. They called me stupid. The teachers and students made fun of how stupid and crazy I was.

Agree- online IQ tests are totally unreliable- I've scored anywhere from 68 to 140 depending on the test I was taking. Like you, I was told I was gifted but had a hard time with practical day to day life stuff and felt stupid at times. I thought I might have NVLD. When I actually took an IQ test in real life, I was very consistent across the different tests in the average to above average range. My problems mostly come from executive dysfunction but I'm taking a class to improve that now.

Don't worry about the IQ test- It will help the professionals to get to know what your strengths and weaknesses are; it is possible to score in the "superior range" in one area and below average- doesn't make you stupid or less of a person- it just means you may be very strong in language skills and weak in visual-spatial skills or vice versa- if you apply for vocational rehab, they will need to see where your strengths and weaknesses are so the can help you.


Good luck,
Allie Kat!

I'm also afraid to take IQ tests. I'm afraid that my score might not be as high as I think it is.

I really fear of being proven that I am stupid. It's odd because constantly the self-hating part of me collects 'proof' of exactly why I'm irredeemably stupid, yet I'm very afraid of it being proven once and for all.
For this reason I can no longer imagine studying anything that requires much logical thinking....and this is awful because my avoidance of such things is probably actually making me dumber, where I earlier might not have been. I can't imagine myself studying math or physics or anything...things I previously was even interested in...and there's no way in hell I could take an IQ test. I would refuse to do it and force myself to not think about the questions at all, were I to hear/see some of them. If I were to really make an effort I would panic.

I agree.

You might consider also saying something like this: Would it make me less of a person, or would it make me more of a person? No on both counts. So I think I would just like to keep it to the side for the time being.

Could you maybe talk to the psychologist and ask to not be told your score on the IQ test?

Ironically, at least for me, the less I care I'm taking an IQ test, the better I do.

If you actually do decide to take one, relax. IQ is not the most important thing in the world, no matter what some people might try to lead you to believe.

If you can't get to the point that you can relax about it, tell your doctor. If you're nervous, you're not going to get an accurate score and they know that. Some psychiatrists say that the test is accurate for the time the test is given, not globally accurate.

On-line tests are notoriously inaccurate.

Yet, you took an on-line test and got the same results that you now fear.

I think you may be able to decline to know specific results, but your psychologist will want to know why, and then suggest exploring your fears.

My psychiatrist called it "Logophobia" - Fear of Knowledge.

Fear not. Knowledge is power.

i find IQ testing really bullsh*it
i don't even get why one would take it.. it isn't even correct.