shminux comments on Innate Mathematical Ability - Less Wrong

40 Post author: JonahSinick 18 February 2015 11:11AM

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Comment author: slicko 28 February 2015 05:10:10AM 1 point [-]

I got the answer in under 2 minutes (didn't time it exactly). However, when I first identified my answer candidate (answer 2), it was probably about two thirds of the way in. I got the correct answer by going across at first, but then spent additional time double checking my work using columns, and then double checking my answer before "committing".

I've taken a couple of online Raven's Matrices type tests in the past, but that was a while ago, so I don't believe memory played too much of a role. However, I seem to have internalized the idea that IQ tests are trying to bait you with obvious answers, and as a result, I end up taking too long double checking my work.

I suppose the only way to get over this lack of confidence in my intuition is with practice, but I'm wary of diluting the feedback I get from the occasional IQ test due to the 'practice effect'.

It's a bit of a catch-22. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Comment author: shminux 28 February 2015 04:35:48PM 2 points [-]

Echoing Ilya here. IQ tests are a rough guide of what's possible to achieve, not a predictor of success and satisfaction in life. Like height is a rough guide of what's possible to achieve in basketball. If you are 5'10", NBA is probably not for you. If your IQ tests keep returning under 120, you will probably not be an MIT prof. Unless you have some exceptional abilities not captured by these simple tests. Find something at you enjoy doing AND are very good at, and work on it. It'll pay.

Comment author: slicko 28 February 2015 09:58:16PM 0 points [-]

See my response to JonahSinick below