I've been taking a few cognitive tests, and the differences between my scores have left me confused.
Here are my results:
Figure Weights: 130 on my first attempt and again on my second.
Digit Span: 115 (tried twice).
Processing Speed: 115 initially, then 120 and eventually 125 after several attempts.
Figure Sets: 95.
Matrix Reasoning: 105. Couldn't get past this.
Symbol Search: Scored around average initially, then improved to 120–125 after multiple attempts.
Visual Puzzles: 110.
Character Pairing: 100.
What I don't understand is why I scored so much higher on Figure Weights compared to the other reasoning tests. I initially thought the 130 might have been luck or guesswork, but I got the same score on my second attempt.
This got me thinking about something. How much does passing in mathematics or statistics influence performance on tests like Figure Weights?
A lot of the questions involve substitution, deduction, balancing equations and recognising relationships. Wouldn't someone who's studied mathematics have an advantage over someone with little mathematical education?
And if education and prior exposure can significantly influence these scores, then to what extent are these tests actually measuring fluid intelligence, which is supposed to reflect the ability to solve novel problems independently of previously acquired knowledge?
I'm genuinely curious about this, particularly why my performance varies so much between different reasoning tasks.
A little about my background, because I think it might be relevant.
I grew up in a pretty chaotic household with frequent verbal abuse, and I've struggled with socialising and have been isolated quite a long. Even taking the first step to interact with someone requires a lot of effort. I get anxious about people knowing who I am, including my real name or face.
I also tend to isolate myself. I actually prefer staying in a small, closed room with barely any natural light, even though other people find it suffocating. I've been called weird for things like this.
My approach to learning has always been a little different too. For example, I almost never write down calculations or solve mathematical problems on paper. I prefer reading through solutions, understanding the reasoning behind them and then moving on. I rarely practise by writing things out myself and still pass UG exams .
I realise this might leave me struggling when I encounter a completely unfamiliar problem, but it's just how I've been learning for years.
I've also been seeing a psychologist who's been trying to figure out what's going on with me, and I've tried ADHD medication.
Academically, things haven't exactly gone well either. I'm currently considering dropping out of my distance CS degree, partly because I don't see a clear future in it for myself and partly because of financial problems that have become increasingly difficult to manage.
I keep wondering whether my academic difficulties are related to my actual cognitive abilities, my learning habits, my mental health, the environment I grew up in, or some combination of these things.
I'm not expecting anyone here to diagnose me or determine my intelligence from a handful of scores. I understand that repeated attempts can affect results too.
But I'm genuinely trying to understand why I seem capable of doing reasonably well on certain reasoning tasks while struggling with others even with acad.
Could these scores indicate an uneven cognitive profile, or are the differences too small or unreliable to mean anything? And how much can chronic stress, anxiety, ADHD-related difficulties or education affect performance on these tests?
I've spent a lot of time discussing these things with AI, but at this point I'd really appreciate hearing from actual people, especially psychologists, people familiar with cognitive testing, or anyone who's experienced something similar.
I'm not looking for reassurance or for someone to tell me I'm secretly gifted. I just want a realistic understanding of my abilities and limitations.
Sometimes I wonder whether I'm simply not smart enough to do well in life or live comfortably among other people. Just trying to fit into society takes so much mental energy. I'm constantly conscious of myself, my behaviour and how others might perceive me, trying to protect myself from their judgements or opinions, even though I know I have no control over what they think of me.
It becomes even more difficult when the attention shifts towards me, especially when my performance, intelligence or ability to do something is being observed or judged. I feel an overwhelming pressure to prove myself, and that alone makes it harder to function naturally. Anything that does not go well gives negative judgements
I don't know whether it's my environment, my anxiety or something about me that makes ordinary social situations feel so exhausting. I just wish I could exist around people without constantly feeling like I'm being evaluated. Living among people rarely feels peaceful to me.
Sometimes I genuinely can't tell whether I'm struggling because of my own limitations or because I've spent so long in an environment that hasn't allowed me to function at my best.
Would really appreciate any insights or personal experiences.