University Stories: Koori IQ Test  − 1 September, 1999

I really enjoyed courses that covered psychology while studying for my Education degree at Monash University.

I clearly remember one psychology class in late 3rd year where our teachers discussed the use and appropriateness of IQ tests, and provided an example by making us take the "Koori IQ Test".

The "Koori IQ Test" is a made-up, culturally-biased test that's designed for university students. Its aims are discussed here.

We were asked before taking even looking at the test, how we thought we'd do. For some reason, I predicted that I'd do quite well. It's easy, I bragged. My reasoning was that the test was multiple choice, and I felt confident I could make a few right choices.

Gulp. I'd probably set myself up for a massive fall, shooting off my mouth like that.

We had 5 minutes to do the test. When we finished, the correct answers were read out and we marked our own results. Lastly, we were asked to stand up, and then sit down as our teachers gradually increased the score necessary to remain standing.

Some people scored lower than 5, most scored between 5 and 8, and only a few of us (me included) were left standing after 8. Gradually the other students sat down. No-one had scored over 11. The highest mark in the class was...me...with barely a pass at 11/20.

I don't know how I got the highest score. It was one of those strange (and funny) moments that allowed me to wear the biggest smirk ever for a few minutes. My result was pure luck - my knowledge of indigenous Australia was (and still is) meagre at best.

You can test yourself here. When I took the test while composing this entry, I scored a paltry 6: "Severely below average intelligence".

Not my lucky day!

Comments:

kga245 (August 22, 2007. 06:06pm)

I've had this experience before in a recurring nightmare. There is the fear of standing alone that gets me every time. Even when it's for praise.

thomasswilliams (August 24, 2007. 03:43am)

Hi Kelly - I wasn't surprised when I read further about the Koori IQ test that the whole thing - test, score, standing - was done in the spirit of "Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes" (if you haven't read about this yet, it's worth a look) on racial differences and expectations.

Cheers, Thomas

kga245 (August 24, 2007. 03:51pm)

So the test is not a true test at all? It's just a ruse for labeling people and putting them into opposing groups?

thomasswilliams (August 27, 2007. 02:54am)

I reckon the whole thing was done to highlight bias, in this case cultural bias. I view the test as a comment on how we mean "intelligence" when we say IQ, and how demeaning it may be to score so low on what could be a culturally biased test if you're from outside that culture.

And the class got a chance to discuss and review this after taking the test, so it's not like we were guinea pigs for our lecturers to laugh at :-)

Cheers, Thomas