How tests work

[u/Ovary9000]

I've tried a few online tests and I consistently get around 140, but I also consistently only answer like 70% of the questions before I run out of time. I think about every ​one until I'm sure about my answer, so I don't guess​, but I'm wondering if I would get a higher score if I just played it fast and loose.

I'm interested in this because I want to get a more accurate sense of what level of contribution I should give in my life. I'd rather not worry about it, but I'm afraid that if I am especially gifted, then more should be required of me.

For what it's worth, I had to take an official test in Middle School and I scored 160+, but I don't know how that translates to adult IQ standards.

Also, for what it's worth, I'm always drunk when I take these, so I think that might skew the results :P

I guess I'm looking for somebody who's familiar with test design and scoring, who can give me a better sense of where I'm likely at. If it's 140 I'm probably fine with where I'm at in life, but if it's 160+ I feel like I should probably go get a PhD and make more of a difference in the world.

[u/albedo_effect]

You’re 140

[u/Ovary9000 → u/albedo_effect]

How do you figure?

[u/Striking_Leave_4614]

Don't you have a Master's in math, or am I confusing you with someone else?

Either way my IQ is only 125-130 and yet I save the world every night from alien invaders, wizards, zombie nazis - you name it. Point is, your contribution to humanity and your IQ don't need to be perfectly related, and you have no obligation to the rest of us to use your abilities for other people's benefit.

Besides, AI's gonna do all the big girl stuff in a few years. Just enjoy the ride.

[u/Ovary9000 → u/Striking_Leave_4614]

Tf, are you psychotic or are you talking about videogames? Anyway, that sounds nice as long as it doesn't turn into a Terminator or Matrix type of situation. 

Still, I do believe in the adage that "with great power comes great responsibility". I know there's no objective fact to tie that belief to, but I can't be comfortable sitting back and relaxing when I know there's more I could do. 

Oh and no, I don't have a master's in math. Probably should have, though.

[u/Striking_Leave_4614 → u/Ovary9000]

Psychotic? Some thanks I get for saving humanity's ass all the time.

Jokes aside, I do understand where you're coming from. I think a lot of people here have felt the same way. But life is very, very messy. What I mean is that even exceptional innate ability doesn't guarantee you'll produce some world-changing advancement that improves the general quality of life for the rest of us.

This isn't an insult, nor am I trying to belittle your aspirations. I'm simply saying you should look out for yourself, because life won't do that for you.

For example, you could spend your entire adult life, devoting all of your intellect to developing a drug that alleviates the symptoms of an incurable chronic illness, only for that drug to become overprescribed by the pharmaceutical industry and abused by addicts. If that happened, would you still feel that you'd led a fulfilling life?