IQ Tests

The web is full of free IQ tests that judge whether you're Albert Einstein or Albert Trotter. Jane Hoskyn crosses her fingers and gives them a whirl... EASY Tickle Classic IQ Test Tickle seems to think we're quite smart, but we suspect this is down to the easiness of the test. So just because the site states that "the average UK Tickle user has an IQ of 119.73!", it doesn't mean that all Tickle users are Einstein. (His was 160-plus, by the way; the average is 100.) Not all the 50 multi-choice questions are a breeze, but it's quite nice to do a test that doesn't leave you with a sore head. A balance of abilities is covered, including logic, reasoning and mental arithmetic, and the site is easy enough to use - though you have to register (free) to get your results. Difficulty: 2/5 Enjoyment: 4/5 MODERATE IQTest.com The test comprises 38 statements to which you respond True or False. The time you take influences your final score. Some questions are very easy, but there are some real killers as well, and a noticeable US twang. Our score arrived immediately by email, and gave another boost to our ego. More annoyingly, we were hammered with the hard sell for a $9.95 (£5.70) in-depth analysis. But it's the easiest site to use, and we liked the table for comparing our results with the population at large. Score more than 145 and you're reckoned to be a genius. Difficulty: 3/5 Enjoyment: 4/5 High IQ Society This site has too much Flash design for our liking, and we also objected to the section on general knowledge. Any Mensa IQ purist would throw shoes at the monitor. The 36 multi-choice questions strike a balance of difficulty. General knowledge section aside, we liked the way the categories tested different aptitudes: mental, agility, pattern recognition and so on. The test itself is free but you can pay extra for an analysis. A score of 124+ means you can join the society. Difficulty: 3/5 Enjoyment: 3/5 IQ Test Labs Some of the 30 multi-choice questions at this site are maddenly ambiguous. This is a common problem with IQ tests, whose questions often have more than one credible answer, or rely on general knowledge or practice. Our score appeared on screen and in our Inbox, and we couldn't try improving on it because you can't take the test again on the same computer. A plus point is the free results analysis. Difficulty: 3/5 Enjoyment: 3/5 HARD The Mensa Workout The trickiest and purest test of the lot is also the most enjoyable. If you hate sudoku, avoid this like sneezing chickens. It's also very easy to use, with 30 multi-choice questions within a 30-minute limit, and a single click reveals your score and all the correct answers. But we've no idea whether our 23/30 is good or bad. For an official Mensa IQ, you need to sit a supervised test (for a booking, email bookatest@mensa.org.uk). You're encouraged to apply if you've ever scored an IQ of over 120. Find the full list of puzzles from Mensa's international sites, by clicking here. Difficulty: 4/5 Enjoyment: 4/5 Click here for sites that will boost your brain power!