By Dr. Kathryn Ziemer, PhD
So you’ve scheduled an IQ test for yourself, or maybe your child. You want to do as well as possible, but it may feel like it’s all out of your control. You can’t study for it, and many people go into the process believing that IQ is purely genetic.
Not so!
Intelligence is actually influenced by our environment – not just genetics. Specifically, research has found there are three behaviors [1] that may contribute to higher IQ scores. In fact, individuals who exhibited all three behaviors scored 4% higher on intelligence tests than those who did not. This may not sound like a big change, but when it comes to achieving results (like private school admission, gifted and talented program acceptance, MENSA qualification) it can make all the difference.
Here are three scientifically proven things that may help improve your test scores:
Limit screen time: People should limit their recreational screen time to no more than 2 hours per day. This is especially important for children. Between smartphones, tablets, computers, streaming, social media, and gaming, this can be a tall order. However, there is compelling evidence that screen time has negative effects, especially on developing brains.
Get enough sleep every night: Sleep has a big impact on memory and the speed at which people can complete mental tasks – both things that have a significant impact IQ scores. Getting at least 7 hours of sleep for adults, and 9-11 hours of sleep for children aligns with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommendations for the amount of necessary sleep.
Aim for 60 min of physical activity every day: Whether it’s taking a walk, going to the gym, playing a sport, riding a bike, or doing yard work, physical activity can boost your cognitive abilities no matter your age. Adults should get a minimum of 150 minutes of activity per week. Children should aim for 60 minutes of physical activity per day to meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for children’s physical activity.
Incorporating these three things into your routine before the test could help set you up for success on the big day. While these behaviors don’t guarantee a high IQ score, they will help you perform as well as possible on the test.
YOUR IQ Is Only a Snapshot
If you’d like to learn more about why your IQ score is only a snapshot in time, and why it can change over time, read our blog about neuroplasticity.
Here, Dr. Jackie Pacella discusses how you can actively shape your brain to produce the results you want in school, work, and life.
Dr. Kathryn Ziemer, PhD
Kathryn Ziemer is a licensed psychologist and the clinical director of Old Town Psychology.
She received her PhD from the University of Maryland and has logged thousands of hours providing therapy to clients at Old Town Psychology, the DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and the University of Maryland Counseling Center. She has also conducted research at the National Institutes of Mental Health and the Social and Decision Analytics Lab at Virginia Tech.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(18)30278-5/abstract