Are online IQ tests accurate?
Some can give a rough idea, but most sites do not publish what you would need to judge that. Here is what to check, including on this site.
What limits accuracy
Online tests usually run without supervision, so nobody knows about distractions, help or earlier attempts. Screens differ. Short tests also leave more room for luck, and practice with similar puzzles can raise a score.
What to look for
Check whether the site says who was tested to build its norms, how many people took part, and when. Check whether it reports reliability and a comparison with an established test. A number without this information cannot tell you how you compare with others.
Warning signs
Be careful when a test is called free but the result needs payment or an email, when a site calls itself official without saying by whom, and when a percentile appears with no sample behind it.
How this site does
We publish the scoring formula and explain every answer, and nothing is sold. We do not yet have norms or reliability data, so we show a provisional estimate rather than an IQ score. If you need a real assessment, a licensed psychologist can provide one.