Advantages and Limitations of
Intelligence Tests
A. Advantages (uses)
1. Intelligence is directly correlated with
school achievement and hence can be used to indicate the level of capacity of pupils.
2. It helps the teacher to classify his
students into homogeneous groups for providing individualized
instruction.
3. Intelligence test scores are useful in
guidance of maladjusted children.
4. A knowledge of the level of intelligence of the
students help the teacher in adjusting his teaching
strategies.
5. Intelligence
tests are also used as a screening device for selecting suitable candidates for
admission, scholarships etc.
6. It helps the teacher to identify gifted,
backward and mentally retarded children and to make provisions for their optimal education.
B. Limitations
1. As the exact nature of intelligence is yet
not known, it cannot be measured directly.
2. Intelligence test scores are not pure
measures of innate capacities of individuals.
3. Often, intelligence test fail to take into
account the environmental and educational factors and thus give misleading results.
4. Interpretation of the score is subjective
even when the test has a high objectivity.
5. Intelligence test labels some students as
superior and some others as inferior. Those who labeled superior develop over confidence and they may not
give serious attention to their work. While,
those labeled as inferior develop inferiority feelings and ultimately mars
their future.
6. Knowledge for pupil’s intelligence may result
in slackness on the part of the teacher. He may put the entire responsibility of a pupil’s failure on his
inferior intelligence, while a bright student may
be left to work for himself.
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