What the exam asks
- Section I (Multiple Choice): Expect scenario questions asking you to distinguish between general intelligence () and multiple-ability theories, calculate a historical ratio IQ by hand, or identify whether a flawed test lacks construct validity, predictive validity, test-retest reliability, or split-half reliability.
- Section II (AAQ and EBQ): In the Article Analysis Question (AAQ), you may need to evaluate how a study operationalizes cognitive ability or whether its sample generalizes to a wider population. In the EBQ, psychometric principles and stereotype threat are useful psychological concepts to bring in as reasoning in parts B(ii) and C(ii).
Core ideas
One ability or many? The intelligence debate
Psychologists define intelligence as the ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and use knowledge to adapt to new situations. However, researchers debate its structure:
- General intelligence (): Proposed using factor analysis (a statistical method that identifies clusters of related items), this theory argues that a single underlying common factor, , drives performance across all mental tasks. People who score well on vocabulary tests also tend to score well on spatial or math tests.
- Multiple abilities: Other researchers argue that intelligence is a collection of distinct, relatively independent skills (such as verbal, spatial, musical, interpersonal, analytical, creative, and practical abilities). From this view, a person can excel in one domain without scoring high across the board.
Because every culture values different adaptive skills, defining and measuring intelligence is subject to bias. A test written by researchers in one culture may assume familiarity with specific idioms, norms, or problem-solving styles, unfairly penalizing test-takers from other backgrounds.
Measuring intelligence: IQ then and now
Early intelligence tests measured a child’s mental age (the chronological age that most typically corresponds to a given level of performance). From this, early psychometricians computed the intelligence quotient (IQ) using the ratio formula:
A 10-year-old who performs at the level of an average 12-year-old has a ratio IQ of .