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Ok. Apparently, the test was devised by someone called Colin Cooper from Belfast University, and IIRC a Mensa Director (might be wrong about her title here) with the advice of some 'reknowned' psychologists.

Anyway, it appears the purpose is to identify the average intelligence of the Nation by have an interractive test - either through Sky or via the net. What brought it down for me was that, beyond identifying the average IQ (as per this test) nationally, then by area, then by city...it also came down to the level of trying to prove the average intelligence of men/women (the brighter sex), teachers, students, builders, blondes, blue eyed people, certain star signs etc etc etc.

Now, for fun I had to take part So I logged on the net, whilst my hubby used Sky interractive. I answered all the questions, then was emailed my IQ score. When I checked it against the scoring table http://www.bbc.co.uk/testthenation/table.shtml I discover that for my age band, the maximum you could score was 138. The Mensa pass for this test was 130. How can they say that if I answered every question correctly I could only get 138? How do they decide the cap?

On the subject of internet entries (over 80,000 interractive and internet entries were received) how could they determine which were blonde haired?, what their profession?, what area of the country?, what football team they supported? and what their star sign? if NONE of these questions were asked of the participants?

The only information asked for on the net was age (obviously) and an email address, on Sky, the age group. Full stop.

What concerned me was that, though I took this as a little light entertainment, judging by the BBC's related internet message boards (http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-perl/h2/h2.cgi ... science.iq), many have become upset by their results. Also, to compare the intelligence of the English/Scottish/Welsh/NI, and to compare the IQ of men/women is not IMO the brightest thing to do *shrugs*

This is about the test http://www.bbc.co.uk/testthenation/what.shtml
and if you are interested, you can also have a go here by clicking on the link.

Here http://www.bbc.co.uk/testthenation/results/index.shtml you can find the links for the maps and results etc.

I still do not know how they have summarised all entries if they did not ask for net/interractive info *shrugs*

Did anyone see it last night (UK)? Has it been done in your country yet? What are your thoughts?

@Ysh they did emphasise the fact that it would only be a rough estimate of your IQ, etc etc.

I think the average IQ of the nation turned out about 108 or something, which was ummm... average, so no surprise there.

They were trying to make a big thing about all these different groups, and who scored higher... The thing is, there was so little difference in the scores anyway, it didn't prove much anyway. (Like, go Southampton, I think the city got one of the highest averages...)

Are you sure they didn't ask for more info when you registered? I can't actually remember, I registered like a week ago...

Anyway, I played it online, and got 129. Go me

The most amusing thing IMO was the attempts to humiliate the celebrities. Whoever convinced Dane Bowers that he should take part in an IQ test?!?

@Georgi - I know, and I only saw it as a bit of fun, though many still got upset

I loved that the West Country were the 'brightest' area, all those men in smocks, chewing grass and leaning on gate posts!

They asked for no info whatsoever *shrugs* I clicked on the link and took the test...

I got 129 also but that could have been 62/70 correct, 63 or 64/70 *sigh* 91.5 % and I only got a B had I been two years older - I would have got an A!!

What was amusing for me, way beyond the celebs, was the faux pas made by the hosts themselves - especially that woman Anne Robinson who acts so above the rest sometimes

I discover that for my age band, the maximum you could score was 138

I guess they feel it was the music, and the drug culture of the times.

Originally posted by Bloodstalker


I guess they feel it was the music, and the drug culture of the times.

LMAO!! I am not that old - if I was they would have afforded me higher!! Apparently, those with grey hair came out most intelligent - this shows to me that there is something to be said about acquired knowledge, rather than just computational skills etc etc...or is it the grey haired are just given a handicapped head start for thinking slower?

or is it the grey haired are just given a handicapped head start for thinking slower?

More than likey they wrote the test.

Originally posted by Yshania
I loved that the West Country were the 'brightest' area, all those men in smocks, chewing grass and leaning on gate posts!

Definitely a good result And Wales was the worst nation *saying nothing*

I got 129 also but that could have been 62/70 correct, 63 or 64/70

Yeah, I didn't count up how many I got right when they were going through the answers... I blame that Picasso/Constable question... I were robbed!

the faux pas made by the hosts themselves - especially that woman Anne Robinson who acts so above the rest sometimes

Yeah, that was good There had to be a reason why she was presenting it and not taking part That's what actually annoys me about her... it's not that she patronises people, it's that she does it when she is more clueless than them! I mean, Jeremy Paxman can get away with being as patronising as he likes on quiz shows because he actually knows the answers

Originally posted by Yshania
this shows to me that there is something to be said about acquired knowledge, rather than just computational skills etc etc...

But the whole idea of the IQ test is that it measures computational skills, not knowledge

or is it the grey haired are just given a handicapped head start for thinking slower?

I think so Well, students came near the top of their league table At least the teachers came first... the Department of Education breathes a sigh of relief

@Georgi - LMAO re Wales! though I am sure if he had taken part, he might have swung it!

That Picasso question was misleading IMO, and relied on knowledge as well as logic. Constable is to Picasso as bus is to: now, IMO painter to painter is the same as mode of transport to mode of transport, so train or stagecoach could have been correct. Who'd have though it was period related?

She is stupid IMO! she actually told someone he was wrong, based on what she thought was right - and was embarrased! Such fun!!

@Georgi - IMO these tests should use knowledge - that is why they are age banded but they said that there were no knowledge based questions, then the painter one was thrown in and the writer of the test had to admit it was knowledge based...

LOL! re students/teachers! 1% in it IIRC...

Originally posted by Yshania
@Georgi - IMO these tests should use knowledge - that is why they are age banded but they said that there were no knowledge based questions, then the painter one was thrown in and the writer of the test had to admit it was knowledge based...

But IQ is not supposed to be related to knowledge, that's why the questions aren't supposed to involve knowledge... It was only that one question that did it though. They aren't age-banded because of knowledge... but apparently because IQ tests are designed to compare people in the same age band, not across age bands, and IQ supposedly reaches a peak in the 20s and decreases thereafter

@Georgi - but what if I am prematurely grey haired? do I let the side down? The thing is, education does play a part in this...(*wonders on her result* ) since there are tests on vocabulary and knowledge of adages...

btw - what did you go for in the painter question? - I was eeny meeny miney mo! went for train since my time was up.

<edit> so I have reached my peak then? In that case I will wear my number on my arm tomorrow!

Hmmm an 88 That actually amuses me, i have taken this type of test before and never scored below the hundred mark, i didn't think it was a very well constructed test, but then....what do i know i are stupid

EDIT, by way of excuse - if i need one - i missed a few questions due to the fact that my supper was busy burning in the other room, even now i am eating crispy (ergo black) bean sprouts, peppers and a myriad of other strange looking vegetables

Originally posted by Mr Sleep

Hmmm an 88 That actually amuses me, i have taken this type of test before and never scored below the hundred mark, i didn't think it was a very well constructed test, but then....what do i know i are stupid

LOL! don't you mean I is stupid?

Originally posted by Yshania
LOL! don't you mean I is stupid?

Ahhh, sees you are smarter than i, so surely you knows abouts these tings? I need to go back to kindergarten i tink

Funny really, of the tests I have taken, this was the harshest scorer - yet I am sure they did not want to prove the nation thick...I reckon we are all brighter than 108 (or 106 ) Maybe it was fair? rather than looking to flatter as other tests obviously must do?

<edit> not thick - below average

Originally posted by Mr Sleep


Ahhh, sees you are smarter than i, so surely you knows abouts these tings? I need to go back to kindergarten i tink

You went to kindergarten?

Originally posted by Yshania
Funny really, of the tests I have taken, this was the harshest scorer - yet I am sure they did not want to prove the nation thick...I reckon we are all brighter than 108 (or 106 ) Maybe it was fair? rather than looking to flatter as other tests obviously must do?

<edit> not thick - below average

Perhaps you are right, i am not particularly above average and tend to have very specialised knowledge. I don't think IQ is a phallic thing anyway, so i am okay

No, no i menat playye skool

BTW they may be able to track your place of origin through your computer, i wouldn't be surprised if they used some kind of server-side script to track people.

Originally posted by Mr Sleep


Perhaps you are right, i am not particularly above average and tend to have very specialised knowledge. I don't think IQ is a phallic thing anyway, so i am okay

No, no i menat playye skool

BTW they may be able to track your place of origin through your computer, i wouldn't be surprised if they used some kind of server-side script to track people.

Exactly!! and these tests do not test for specialist knowledge - and FYI, men scored higher than women but only by a point

LMAO! I think it is about time you looked into a school attached nursery then!

Oh! *ugh* does my pc tell them I am a blue eyed Taurean Sheffield Wednesday supporter too?

Originally posted by Yshania
Exactly!! and these tests do not test for specialist knowledge - and FYI, men scored higher than women but only by a point

Personally i know a lot more generally intelligent women (take you for instance) than i do men

LMAO! I think it is about time you looked into a school attached nursery then!

It might cramp my style, homes

Oh! *ugh* does my pc tell them I am a blue eyed Taurean Sheffield Wednesday supporter too?

Say you went to the Sheffield Wednesday website before you logged onto their site; they would know. Then you did a Horroscope online that told you info about Taurus, they would know. Most servers can track the last 10 or so sites you have been to As for the blue eyes....well....isn't it obvious?