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You are conflating various things. 1) it is uncontroversial that training improves performance on traditional IQ tests. It is true that people aim to minimise

You are conflating various things. 1) it is uncontroversial that training improves performance on traditional IQ tests. It is true that people aim to minimise this when designing tests. It is also true that so far, nobody has done a great job at that. It's worth noting that Mensa presents different tests in different parts of the world - which is a pretty big hint that they think previous experience/cultural background affects how you perform on the test. 2) Anyone can improve their running performance through training. Not everyone can be a world class marathon runner. The fact that you can improve your performance on an IQ test is not disproven by the claim that not everyone is capable of reaching Mensa levels on it.

reitanqild 10y ago
> The fact that you can improve your performance on an IQ test is not disproven You and others here seem to think I'm out to: * disprove that IQ scores can be trained * say something about or recommend Mensa (not a member, don't know if I would qualify, never took the official test) while I only wanted to offer a counterpoint to the IQ-measurement-is-more-or-less-worthless school of thought. > Anyone can improve their running performance through training. Not everyone can be a world class marathon runner. Same goes for cognitive skills. I think this sums it up: there are significant differences in both physical and mental capabilities.
- jacalata 10y ago
  I have no opinion on what you were "out to" do, I was responding to your comment which seemed to be expressing disbelief in the idea that IQ tests can be trained for ("I hear this repeated a lot...I guess if that was true Mensa would have a lot more members")
  - reitanqild 10y ago
    Thanks for a good answer. Sorry to have been unclear. My point was that to me it seems clear that IQ tests do measure something outside of previous exposure or training. IIRC most people will not manage to get 125 (just a number) on a well-designed test even if they are allowed to prepare with the exact same type of questions or even get trained for them.

reitanqild 10y ago

> The fact that you can improve your performance on an IQ test is not disproven You and others here seem to think I'm out to: * disprove that IQ scores can be trained * say something about or recommend Mensa (not a member, don't know if I would qualify, never took the official test) while I only wanted to offer a counterpoint to the IQ-measurement-is-more-or-less-worthless school of thought. > Anyone can improve their running performance through training. Not everyone can be a world class marathon runner. Same goes for cognitive skills. I think this sums it up: there are significant differences in both physical and mental capabilities.

jacalata 10y ago
I have no opinion on what you were "out to" do, I was responding to your comment which seemed to be expressing disbelief in the idea that IQ tests can be trained for ("I hear this repeated a lot...I guess if that was true Mensa would have a lot more members")
- reitanqild 10y ago
  Thanks for a good answer. Sorry to have been unclear. My point was that to me it seems clear that IQ tests do measure something outside of previous exposure or training. IIRC most people will not manage to get 125 (just a number) on a well-designed test even if they are allowed to prepare with the exact same type of questions or even get trained for them.