So right now, I heard a little thing on the radio, where a member of Mensa Norway proposed that when applying for a job, taking an IQ test in corelation with applying should be required. Needless to say, this is just an idea at the moment. But what really concerns me is what the topic title and topic description draws to. Imagine if you just got out of school, ready to take your first real and proper job, only to be rejected from the position due a slightly too low IQ. Or what if you've been working for a company, for say a decade, and all of the sudden you're fired because it turned out your IQ didn't live up the minimum requirement for the job, despite that you've been doing it for ten years.

For those of you who do not know what Mensa is, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mensa_International for information.

At least in the US, we stopped using IQ tests as they are too bias towards logical thinking people and useless for the more creative sided people.


My parents could be part of Mensa...

There goes most of the government jobs...

Definitely don't agree with using IQ as a job requirement, however:

If someone had a job with a IQ requirement, and lied, that would be grounds of fair termination, IMO. Just like if you needed some certification to get a job and you lied about having the certification, that would be grounds for termination.

HOWEVER if the person didn't lie and the interviewer didn't bother checking the IQ, I don't think that is fair termination.

Use of IQ in hiring makes a little sense when you look at it from the same perspective as manual labor job. If you can't physically do the work necessary because you are too weak, you shouldn't get the job, and for "intelligent" jobs one would argue the same applies. My problem comes from the inadequacies of IQ tests. A more focused test related to the job in question that you must pass would be a much better tool than IQ IMO, and not discriminatory.

My thoughts exactly. Requirements should be based on skill assessments, and job security based on quality of work, not on a number that theoretically represents intelligence. You could have the "dumbest" person alive qualify for a position and do an excellent job, if he or she has the skills for that job.

But hey, if I can get a position because of my IQ without other qualifications, I wouldn't mind that too much :hehe:

Mensa has a vested interest in pushing that test. But it doesn't take a "genius" to come up with the idea of testing prospective employees... If the employer thinks an IQ test is justified they will already be doing it.

Well, it is Mensa suggesting it, after all...


I don't see it happening, honestly. If employers thought people's IQs were relevant, they'd already be doing this. But if you were able to complete any education/training required, odds are you're intelligent enough to do the job too. :shrug:

I think skill/knowledge tests would be better and more relevant than IQ tests. IQ tests are too general to accurately measure one's ability to perform specific jobs.

It could have some limited sense when it is for jobs requiring logical thinking. For the rest... It is just a way to eliminate candidate not to select them.

I agree with the overwhelming majority here, that a job skills test is perfectly legitimate. In fact, if you could somehow show that an particular IQ is actually relevant to the job, then maybe that would be legitimate as well. Problem is that IQ tests aren't really reliable indicators of ... well of much anything. I think employers are perfectly aware of that as well.

There's nothing wrong with setting a minimum performance level that is required to do a job, whether it's physical or mental shouldn't matter. However, the test has to somehow be relevant to the job itself, and I don't think your standard Mensa "brain game" IQ test really captures that.

I've seen many intelligent people who were utterly clueless. Common sense isn't all that common.

I'm not sure which side to take here... I think that a standard IQ test can only measure few very specific types of intelligence (Logical thinking and problem solving for example) so having an IQ requirement for a job doesn't make much sense.

But on the other hand I should like Mensa since I'm currently in the process of becoming a member of Mensa.

If the company who is hiring can prove that having above average problem solving skills and logical thinking will significantly improve job performance then I think it's perfectly reasonable for them to make the applicants take this test. However an IQ test is completely unnecessary for most jobs and will probably keep a lot of talented people from getting the job they want.

High IQ is a sloppy requirement for jobs. If someone doesn't fit to the job the employer will see it without any tests.


Of course Mensa would want something like this. Everyone wants something that boosts their own people, screw everyone else. Never had my IQ measured so I don't know if I'm qualified to join them.

Mensa seem to provide their own proof that IQ doesn't necessarily correlate with capability; in other words, it's not a terribly good idea. And that's before one considers the degree of disruption likely to be caused by their attitude.

*shrug*

Why not? They already do those [censored] personality tests. Like a computer can really tell what kind of person you are...