The ACT (American College Testing) and IQ (Intelligence Quotient) are two well-known measurements in education and cognitive psychology, respectively. While the ACT is designed to measure a student’s suitability for college, Intelligence Quotient (IQ) tests are used to assess a wide range of cognitive abilities.
Although the differences between the ACT and IQ scores are obvious, the similarities between the two are significant. This article will feature the conversion formula, inform about the step-by-step approach, illustrate some examples of calculations, and finally reflect on the significance and constraints associated with transforming ACT scores into IQ scores.
Understanding the ACT to IQ Conversion
ACT is a type of testing that is commonly used for the admission process to a particular college in the United States of America. It evaluates high school students’ readiness for college in four main sections: English, Mathematics, Science, and Reading, as well as an optional Writing section. The score for each section is based on a separate section, and the total score varies from 1 to 36.
IQ tests, however, are designed to assess intelligence, which is made up of various components such as logical reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical abilities. The scores of IQ tests are always standardized: The mean for the students is 100, while 85 and 115 are taken to be the average range.
ACT to IQ Conversion Formula
To estimate an IQ score from an ACT score, you can use the following formula:
IQ=(ACT × 5.5)+50
Variables:
IQ: The Intelligence Quotient results.
ACT: The ACT score.
How to Calculate IQ from ACT Score?
- Determine the ACT Score: Find your composite ACT score.
- Multiply by 5. 5: Multiply the ACT score by 5. 5.
- Add 50: Then add 50 to the value obtained from step 2.
Result: The final value is the IQ score.
Example Calculations
Let us apply this formula to several ACT scores to see how it works.
Example 1:
ACT Score: 24
Calculation: (24 × 5.5) + 50 = 132 + 50 = 182
IQ Score: 182
Example 2:
ACT Score: 30
Calculation: (30 × 5.5) + 50 = 165 + 50 = 215
IQ Score: 215
Example 3:
ACT Score: 18
Calculation: (18 × 5.5) + 50 = 99 + 50 = 149
IQ Score: 149
Example 4:
ACT Score: 36 (Perfect Score)
Calculation: (36 × 5.5) + 50 = 198 + 50 = 248
IQ Score: 248 (Note: Such a high IQ score suggests the limitations of this conversion method as realistic upper limits of IQ are around 160 ~ 180)
Correlation Between ACT Scores and IQ: Research Findings
Extensive studies have demonstrated that the scores on aptitude tests, such as ACT and the g factor and general intelligence, are positively and highly correlated with each other. Some key findings include:
- National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979: Found a correlation of 0.77 between ACT scores and the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), a well-established measure of g.
- Study on Raven’s Progressive Matrices: Found a correlation of 0.61 between ACT scores and Raven’s Progressive Matrices, a standard IQ test.
These findings indicate that while ACT scores can be indicative of general cognitive abilities, they are not exact equivalents of IQ scores.
Analyzing the ACT as a Measure of Intelligence
Let us learn about analyzing the ACT as a measure of intelligence. Here are two essential aspects discussed.
The General Intelligence Factor (g)
The idea of general intelligence, or g, is a theoretical construct that denotes the shared cognitive abilities involved in successfully completing many mental tasks. Studies have consistently indicated that many of the tasks used in these tests are to measure the general intelligence factor. The fact that the ACT poses questions that challenge reasoning skills and understanding of concepts denotes the examination’s ability to measure academic achievement and mental cognitive capabilities.
Equivalency of Prediction
The ACT has demonstrated tangible connections with IQ tests, SAT, and other discern levels of intelligence measuring devices. This demonstrates that ACT scores may provide an alternative medium to IQ measurements when traditional IQ tests are inaccessible or not suitable for a situation.
Practical Applications and Considerations
Before we discover the practical applications and considerations, let us first understand the different aspects of measurements and the influence of different external factors.
Different Aspects of Measurement
It is essential to understand that while there is a correlation between ACT scores and IQ, they measure different aspects of cognitive ability:
- The ACT primarily assesses academic skills and knowledge specific to high school education.
- IQ tests measure broader cognitive abilities, including logical reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical thinking.
Influence of External Factors
Several external factors can influence performance on the ACT, including:
- Test-taking strategies: Familiarity with test formats and strategies can significantly affect scores.
- Preparation and familiarity: Extensive preparation and practice can improve ACT scores.
- Motivation and work ethic: A student’s motivation and dedication to their studies can impact their performance.
These factors mean that a high ACT score does not necessarily indicate a high IQ, and vice versa.
Conclusion
The relationship between ACTs and IQ is an interesting area of research that demonstrates the overlap of academic skills and the potential gap in such skills. Conversion of ACT to IQ form can calculate cognitive features through academic success.
However, this calculation should be done with an awareness of this model’s limitations. Although both ACT and IQ are effective to a certain extent in assessing intellectual and academic potential, each has its role and use.
The main objective of Turito is to empower students with the skills they need to comprehend and succeed in school with higher performance. With us, your path to a wonderful outcome on the ACT and further is complete with our deep knowledge and skilled faculties. It does not matter whether you would like to make preparations for college entrance exams or to improve your overall cognitive abilities; the purpose of Turito is to lead you to that full potential.
Discover our offers to make your higher education successful in a tough academic environment.
FAQs
Can ACT scores be considered a measure of intelligence?
ACT scores coincide with measures of general intelligence, no doubt, but they weren’t secretly designed to test intellectual and cognitive abilities but rather to test students’ college readiness.
Is the ACT to IQ conversion formula accurate?
The formula is just for reference and not exact, so it should be used with caution. It fails to take into account the impact of differences in the individual levels of preparation, motivation, or external factors.
Why is there a correlation between ACT scores and IQ?
Both tests measure the foundational traits, which could be the primary reason for their correlation. Hence, the test results are not absolute and have different main functions.
How reliable is the ACT as an indicator of future academic success?
The ACT has proven to be a reliable measure of college performance because it tests concepts directly related to college work, such as essays, mathematics, and reading comprehension. However, it does not yet encompass all the factors that lead to academic proficiency.
Can I improve my IQ by improving my ACT score?
Improvement of ACT outcomes due to preparation and studying can enhance intellectual qualities but do not directly grow your IQ, which is a measure of cognition.
![ACT](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.turito.com%2Fblog-internal%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F05%2Fact-to-iq-converter.png&w=1920&q=50)
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