“The IQ was developed to measure intellectual intelligence. A high IQ is not the only factor that determines intelligence, but it is a common measure used to describe a person’s potential in life and diagnose certain intellectual disabilities. The article explains several ways to increase your IQ.”

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Have you ever wondered if it is possible to increase your IQ? It may be possible with the right kind of intellectual training.

Some of the most important skills measured through IQ testing are suggested by research. Some activities can boost your IQ.

IQ, short for intelligence quotient, is a measure of a person’s mental ability and how it compares to that of their peers. This measurement was popularized in the 1900s by a French psychologist named Alfred Binet.

A person’s IQ level is measured using standardized testing administered by licensed psychologists and, in some cases, those with graduate-level mental health training. When many people take the test, it is possible to compare each person’s score to the rest of the scores.

Common standardized IQ tests.

  • The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children is used.
  • The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults is for adults.
  • The fifth edition of the intelligence scales is called the STANFORD-BNET Intelligence Scales.

Does your IQ level determine intelligence?

“Your IQ level is one of the things that measures your reasoning ability. These are important markers of intelligence, but they are not the only ones. A person’s intelligence is not the only factor that can be seen.”

For instance, research shows that IQ tests do not measure creativity well. They also do not measure emotional intelligence or critical thinking. These are all factors that can significantly influence a person’s achievements in life.

“A person’s life can be determined by a number of factors, including how they score on an IQ test at any given time. This includes the person’s health, genetic history, social or economic status, and more.”

It is difficult to determine if an IQ test is legitimate for people from historically marginalized groups or for people from different cultures and worldviews.

IQ measurement can be used to diagnose mental health conditions and learning disabilities.

There are controversies around IQ testing.

Your IQ testing can be used to show your intelligence. The actions you take and the efforts you make can have a big impact on your life.

But if you do want to boost your IQ, research shows that consistently doing exercises in various areas measured by IQ tests may be able to raise your scores.

The activities listed may help you improve in a number of areas.

1. Memory activities

Memory activities don’t only improve memory but can also enhance reasoning and language skills. In fact, memory games have been used in research studies to explore how memory relates to language and object knowledge or someone’s understanding of a physical object.

Intelligence measures include reasoning and language, which are used to develop memory.

Activities that involve memory training are included.

2. Executive control activities

Executive control is the ability to control high-order functions, like making decisions, orienting attention, and organizing and managing tasks.

Executive control is a part of executive function, which also includes executive management and regulation. Research suggests that executive function is strongly tied to fluid reasoning, which is one aspect of human intelligence.

Executive control training can be involved in activities.

  • Scrabble.
  • ictionary
  • The light is red and green.
  • The brainteasers.

3. Visuospatial reasoning activities

Mental processes related to physical representations are involved in visuospatial reasoning. Reading and interpreting a map involves visual-spatial reasoning and processing.

In one study, researchers found that improving visuospatial reasoning led to an increase in IQ test scores. In that study, memory and executive control activities were used in part to help improve participants’ visuospatial reasoning.

Another study found that visuospatial reasoning abilities were associated with young Chinese students’ academic achievement in math and reading subjects.

Activities that involve visual and spatial training are included.

  • mazes
  • There are activities that point-of-view.
  • 3D models.
  • The prisms unfolded.

Online IQ games and tests

Many of the games and activities can be played online. There are online IQ games that work in the areas of the brain mentioned.

While these IQ games and tests can’t accurately measure someone’s IQ, they can still be a great way to develop your intelligence.

4. Relational skills

The RFT relates to human cognitive and language development.

The building block of human language and higher cognitive is related, according to the theory.

The words dinner and supper are different ways to explain the same thing.

Research from 2016 echoes older research that indicates using RFT as an intervention can significantly improve IQ scores in children.

The study found that children had improved their verbal and reasoning skills after the RFT intervention.

Activities that involve training are included.

  • Language learning books are used for learning.
  • There are object comparisons between full cup and empty cup.
  • Amount comparisons between pennies and dime.

5. Musical instruments

“You don’t have to be a famous musician to benefit from learning an instrument.”

One study found that just 75 minutes of music lessons per week for 12 weeks significantly increased IQ scores in preschool-aged children.

A newer 2021 study also showed that instrumental music training may improve some executive functioning in children ages 6-7.

Adults can benefit from music training.

Another study found a positive relationship between the duration of musical practice in adults and executive functioning.

It may benefit your IQ to finally learn to play the musical instrument you have always wanted to.

However, just listening to music has benefits, too. A 2018 study found that a musically-enriched environment could improve children’s verbal IQ scores.

6. New languages

Learning multiple languages is beneficial to the human brain, and the earlier you learn it, the better.

The age at which you learn a new language may affect whether or not the practice is helpful in improving your intelligence.

A study from 2020 found that adults who took 11 weeks of language training did not improve their intelligence or IQ scores.

However, a recent study investigated the relationship between early language learning and IQ. The results indicated that language learning through talk and interaction from 18 to 24 months was most beneficial for cognitive outcomes later in life.

While learning a new language at any age can help improve overall cognitive abilities, the critical window for influencing IQ scores is during toddlerhood.

7. Frequent reading

There’s no denying how beneficial books are in human cognitive development. In fact, the benefits of development are even more pronounced when books become part of parental bonding activities.

In one recent study, researchers discovered that when parents read aloud to their children, the child had greater language and cognitive development skills.

8. Continued education

Human intelligence is dependent on education.

In a review of studies on IQ and education, over 600,000 participants were studied to determine the effect of education on IQ levels.

The researchers found that participants experienced a boost of IQ points every year they were in formal education.

“There are quite a few activities you can enjoy each day that may help raise your IQ score, but the following myths aren’t included in those suggestions.”

  • Taking vitamins
  • Training for an IQ test.

These activities do not help you improve your IQ score.

Instead, you should focus on activities that teach your brain skills related to fluid and crystallized intelligence. Fluid intelligence is associated with abstract reasoning, while crystallized intelligence is associated with intellectual skill development.

Some common questions about increasing your IQ levels are answered here.

Can IQ be increased after 18?

Most researchers agree that the critical window for learning new information happens when you are young, but few studies have fully explored whether or not there is a hard cutoff for when your IQ is at its lowest.

A recent meta-analysis of 42 data sets involving over 600,000 participants up to 63 years of age found that cognitive abilities improved by approximately 1 to 5 IQ points for every additional year of education.

One may assume that higher education will lead to an increase in IQ score, but more research is needed to understand how age affects IQ score.

How much can you increase your IQ?

The amount of increase in your IQ depends on a number of factors.

Researchers from a recent study reimagining a popular 1980 study argue that the 1980 experimental group showed an improvement of 15 IQ points over the control group.

More recent data is needed to fully understand how much one can improve their IQ score.

How do I support my baby’s cognitive development?

Beyond maintaining a healthy diet pre-birth, research shows that exclusively nursing your baby may be associated with higher IQ scores in young girls. However, this is not always easy to do. Some people are not able to nurse their babies due to financial, social, or medical reasons.

Talking with your baby may help improve their verbal abilities and cognitive skills in adolescence. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a child’s intelligence can be influenced by a variety of genetic and environmental factors such as:

  • The IQ of the parents.
  • The genes.
  • Home life.
  • parenting
  • nutrition
  • education

Birth weight may also play a role in a child’s intelligence.

IQ alone does not determine the value of a person or the success of a person. Other environmental factors can play a role. The best way to set a baby up for a healthy life is to give them love and safety, which will give them the best opportunities in the future.

It seems that research suggests that it is possible to raise your intelligence through brain-training activities.

Training your memory, executive control, and visuospatial reasoning can help boost your intelligence levels.

The best way to train your brain is to engage in thoughtful activities and games, learn new skills, and keep your brain active.