Spatial IQ Test

When applying to graduate school, individuals typically face stiff competition, especially for programs offered by prestigious schools like the University of Oxford. According to the institution’s website, the number of applicants for postgraduate programs at Oxford now exceeds the total for prospective undergraduates.

However, despite rigorous admissions standards and the fact that graduate students are typically older than the average student, Anne-Marie Imafidon began her postgraduate studies at Oxford when she was just 17 years old, the Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper reported. As a result, she went on to become the youngest student in the University’s history to earn a combined master’s degree in mathematics and computer science.

Completing a master’s degree program at Oxford is far from the Nigeria native’s only academic accomplishment. When she was just 10 years old, Imafidon passed high school diploma exams in mathematics and information technology. At 12 years of age, she received a scholarship to Oxford, which was followed one year later by another scholarship, this time to Johns Hopkins University.

"Every child is a genius," said Anne-Marie’s father, Chris Imafidon, as quoted by the news source. "Once you identify the talent of a child and put them in an environment that will nurture that talent, then the sky is the limit."

If children appear to have a gift for learning at an early age, parents may want to have them complete an IQ test for kids to discover their intelligence quotient.

Fruits are an essential part of any diet, as they contain nutrients that can help with the maintenance of the body, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This is why women over the age of 51 are advised to digest one and a half cups of fruit each day.

Women who are 65 years of age or older may want to make sure berries make up a large part of their daily diet as well, as new research shows that eating blueberries and strawberries may keep the mind sharp in old age.

In the study, researchers reviewed data from 121,700 female registered nurses who were between the ages of 30 and 55 in 1976, when they were asked to complete a questionnaire. These individuals were then surveyed every four years beginning in 1980 to gain a sense of the frequency of their food consumption. From 1995 through 2001, the cognitive function of 16,010 participants over the age of 70 was also measured.

What researchers found was that older women who consume more flavonoid-rich berries may be able to delay cognitive decline by up to two and a half years.

As a result, older women who consume high amounts of berries may want to take an IQ test to see if their diet is having any impact on their cognitive ability.

This spring, Kimberly Koerth will not only earn her high school diploma, but an associate’s degree from Central Arizona College (CAC) as well, San Tan Valley Today reported. At the age of 15, Koerth may not have her driver’s license yet, but she is looking to hold a master’s degree by the time she turns 18.

CAC provides students with an opportunity to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees simultaneously, which appeals to Koerth.

"It could be possible for me to have my master’s degree before I turn 18," Koerth told the news source. "I couldn’t believe I could graduate that fast. It wasn’t that hard, as long as you can manage your time."

Koerth’s accelerated education began when she set out to find an advanced math curriculum while she was in the eighth grade. She was directed toward CAC, spoke to an adviser at the school and was soon taking online algebra courses. While juggling high school and college classes, Koerth also managed to play the French horn in CAC’s wind ensemble.

If parents feel their children are similar to Koerth, they may be gifted individuals. In addition to having them take an IQ test for kids, parents should observe whether these youths display heightened sensitivity or good problem-solving skills. According to the National Society for the Gifted & Talented, these are both signs of giftedness.

Whether people are having a group discussion in a classroom or over dinner, they have an opportunity to hear fresh opinions, see things from a different perspective and ultimately learn something new. Based on the results of a recent study from Trinity College Dublin, social interaction appears to play a role in the development of human intelligence.

For the study, which appears in the journal "Proceedings of the Royal Society B," researchers created computer models of artificial organisms. Each of these beings possessed its own brain so researchers could observe how they developed while playing games like "Prisoner’s Dilemma," which requires players to explore social behavior and decision making.

As the artificial individuals competed with one another while playing these games, researchers found that those who were more cooperative tended to develop larger brains. These models were also found to have more complex memory and decision-making abilities compared to other study subjects.

"Our model differs in that we exploit the use of theoretical experimental evolution combined with artificial neural networks to actually prove that yes, there is an actual cause-and-effect link between needing a large brain to compete against and cooperate with your social group mates," said Trinity’s Andrew Jackson, who worked on the study.

If individuals are curious to see how the social interaction in their lives has shaped their cognitive abilities, they may want to take an IQ test.

When older adults have trouble completing what should be simple tasks, like deciding which products to pick up at the grocery store, one of their first thoughts may be to take an IQ test and see if there have been any changes to their cognitive abilities.

While every brain is wired differently, problems regarding decision making may be the result of a reduction of white-matter pathways, according to the results of a study that appear in The Journal of Neuroscience. White-matter serves a crucial role in the brain, as it helps carry signals throughout this organ.

During the study, researchers had 25 participants between the ages of 21 and 85 complete a monetary learning task and then undergo a brain scan. They found that over time, these individuals' experienced a decline in the integrity of two white-matter pathways that connect the cerebral cortex to two regions deep within the brain. This, in turn, has an impact on how older adults make decisions in new situations.

However, there may be hope for individuals facing this problem. According to Gregory R. Samanez-Larkin, the Stanford University student who authored the study, past research has shown that cognitive training may be able to strengthen white-matter connections.

While it is impossible to predict when someone will die of natural causes, new research shows that the rate at which people's memory declines increases two and a half years before they pass away. However, activities that stimulate the brain may also keep the mind sharp in old age.

Data that supports these claims appeared in the American Academy of Neurology's medical journal, Neurology. In a study of 174 Catholic priests, nuns and monks, researchers tested these individuals' memory between six and fifteen years before death. While these participants did not have a history of memory problems, their brains showed a deterioration in cognitive abilities approximately two and a half years before they expired.

In a second study, researchers examined the impact of mental activities on 1,076 individuals with an average age of 80. These participants, who had no history of dementia, reported how often they played board games like chess, read the newspaper and wrote letters.

"The results suggest a cause and effect relationship: that being mentally active leads to better cognitive health in old age," said Robert S. Wilson, the study's author.

If older adults read the news and play board games on a regular basis, they may want to take an IQ test to see what effect these activities are having on their mental abilities.

For some college students, it takes more than four years to complete one degree. California resident Moshe Kai Cavalin does not have this problem, as he is currently pursuing his second degree at the age of 14, ABC News reported.

When he was just 11, Cavalin graduated from East Los Angeles Community College. This year, he will add a degree in math from the University of California, Los Angeles to his growing list of academic credentials. Despite his accomplishments, the young student does not like to be defined by his intellect.

"Genius is just a word just like IQ is a number," said Cavalin, as quoted by the news source. "It just classifies [them] at one point and ignores everything else that makes the individual who they are."

Cavalin's mother quickly realized how bright her son was when he began to read college-level books at just 2 years of age, the news outlet stated.

If parents feel that their child may be similar to Cavalin, they may want to have him or her complete an IQ test for kids. According to the National Society for the Gifted & Talented, parents should also pay attention to whether or not their child is a problem solver, perfectionist or abstract thinker, as these are often signs of giftedness. 

In the event that children display outstanding levels of aptitude or competence in at least one domain, they may be gifted, according to the National Association for Gifted Children.

If children are found to be gifted, then parents may want to enroll them in special schools or programs that allow them to learn alongside peers with similar levels of aptitude. In addition, the teachers who work with these students have typically received the training necessary to provide them with activities that will keep them challenged and intellectually stimulated.

For instance, at Puente de Hozho Elementary School, art teacher Craig Bowie recently helped seven gifted students put on a play about recycling, the Arizona Daily Sun reported. Bowie acted more as a supervisor during the production’s rehearsals, as he likes to let the students drive the projects they work on.

The students ended up creating a play that explained what is recyclable at school and created costumes made out of items such as newspaper, food cans and milk jugs.

If parents feel that their child may benefit from participating in activities like the recycling play, then they may want to have him or her complete an IQ test for kids.

Salmon, oysters and other fish and shellfish are known to contain helpful omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, omega-3s are so good for the body that the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends people eat seafood twice a week to prevent heart disease.

New research from the University of California, Los Angeles has revealed that a diet rich in omega-3s may also keep the brain young.

To arrive at these results, researchers worked with 1,575 individuals with an average age of 67. Each of the study participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging scans, in addition to having their mental function and blood tested.

Individuals who had low levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood also possessed lower brain volume, whereas the opposite was true of those with higher levels. Those with less omega-3s in their blood also received lower scores on visual memory and executive function tests.

"People with lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had lower brain volumes that were equivalent to about two years of structural brain aging," said Zaldy S. Tan, the study’s author.

Individuals who eat seafood several times a week and are curious to see what impact it has had on their brain may want to take an IQ test.

Many parents introduce their children to puzzles at an early age. New research from the University of Chicago is showing that these youths may grow up to possess better spatial skills.

These findings are significant, as the researchers said that developing good spatial skills as a child may predict success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, subjects. An increased focus on children’s comprehension of these topics is a priority, not just for the nation’s educators, but for President Barack Obama as well.

In the study, researchers analyzed the impact that puzzle play had on 53 child-parent pairs. These subjects’ interactions were video-recorded for 90 minutes every four months between the period of time when kids were 2 and 4 years of age.

"The children who played with puzzles performed better than those who did not, on tasks that assessed their ability to rotate and translate shapes," said Susan Levine, a professor of psychology at the University.

If parents are curious to see what effect puzzles have had on their child's cognitive development, then they may want to have him or her take an IQ test for kids.

As people grow older, they may take an IQ test to see how their cognitive abilities have improved or worsened with time. However, even if these individuals’ memory begins to fade, they may have a way to give it the jolt it needs in the not-too-distant future.

A recent University of California, Los Angeles study, which appears in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that neuroscientists may have found a way to strengthen people’s memory.

For their research, the neuroscientists had seven subjects play a video game in which they filled the role of a taxi cab driver that had to pick up virtual passengers and take them to one of six requested locations. When these individuals had the nerve fibers in the entohinal cortex portion of their brain stimulated during the learning process, they later recognized landmarks and could navigate routes at a quicker pace.

The fact that the stimulation worked during the learning process may mean that individuals would not have to undergo continuous treatment. Instead, they could just receive the memory boost when they need to remember important information. The neuroscientists feel that this method may help improve memory in those afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease as well.

However, this is not Hu’s only accomplishment. The news source reported that as an eighth-grader at Longfellow Middle School, the student taught herself calculus and then scored five out of five on the Advanced Placement Calculus exam. That same year, Hu scored 2,330 out of 2,400 on the SAT.

The fact that Hu was accepted at Thomas Jefferson was an accomplishment in and of itself, as applicants to the High School are subjected to a competitive admissions process. According to the news outlet, 3,410 individuals applied to the institution for a spot in the 2012 freshman class, which is composed of about 480 students.

Hu has already been accepted to Harvard University, but is waiting to hear back from other institutions before she makes her final decision.

Now, new research reveals that elderly people who consume food rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins may be able to stay sharp in their old age. In the study, scientists from Oregon Health and Science University and Oregon State University’s Linus Pauling Institute worked with 104 people with an average age of 87.

Scientists tested 30 different nutrient biomarkers in the participants’ blood, while 42 of them underwent magnetic resonance imaging scans. Based on blood nutrient levels and other data, the scientists found a connection between cognitive ability and high levels of vitamins B, C, D, E and healthy oils.

"The vitamins and nutrients you get from eating a wide range of fruits, vegetables and fish can be measured in blood biomarkers," said Maret Traber, principal investigator at the Linus Pauling Institute and co-author of the study. "I’m a firm believer these nutrients have strong potential to protect your brain and make it work better."

One student who has displayed exceptional artistic talent is 13-year-old Ben Glover, who attends the Bishop Stopford School in the UK, the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph reported. Glover’s mastery of 3D animation has led London’s Trinity College to honor the adolescent with its Gold Arts Award.

According to the news source, this honor is typically awarded to individuals who are at least 16 years of age.

"It’s brilliant to receive the award, it is not something people my age do or even hear about," Glover told the news outlet. "Everyone seems very proud of me and what I have achieved."

In addition to attending Bishop Stopford, the news source stated that Glover is a member of the Milton Keynes and Northants Explorers, which is a part of the UK’s National Association for Gifted Children.

If children show signs of exceptional talent, parents may want to have them take a kids IQ test to see what areas they shine in.

Many students struggle in the classroom. Some have learning disabilities, while others are simply bored by the material they are being taught. Occasionally, these pupils are unengaged due to the fact that they are actually gifted children.

According to the National Association for Gifted Children, the needs of gifted students are often overlooked.

Keenan Lyon, who is currently enrolled in Canada's Carleton University at just 16 years of age, is one student who found it hard to stay interested in what he was expected to learn in the fifth grade, the Ottawa Citizen reported.

During math class, Lyon would sit in the back of the room reading a physics book, rather than focusing on what his instructor was teaching, the news source stated.

After completing his studies at Carleton, Lyon plans to pursue a master’s degree in nanotechnology at the University of Waterloo and earn his PhD by the time he is 20 years old, according to the news source.

Parents who want to make sure their children are receiving an education that will keep them engaged may want to have them take a kids IQ test to verify their intelligence quotient.

Many students struggle to get through algebra class, while some adults still do not have a good handle on this branch of mathematics. This is not the case for Kalee Hall, a 6-year-old North Carolina resident, who learned the basics of algebra while having lunch in a Pizza Hut, the Winston-Salem Journal reported.

This is not Hall's only accomplishment, but it is one reason why she is now a member of Mensa. It is not uncommon for the high IQ society to offer membership cards to gifted children. In fact, the news source stated that the group's youngest member on record was 2-years-old.

Hall's mother, Karen, would not release Kalee's official IQ, but she did tell the news outlet that the 6-year-old's score placed her in the 99th percentile. In order to gain entry into Mensa, her score had to be at least 132, but the news source stated that Kalee may have placed somewhere over 140.

As a member of Mensa, Hall will join around 110,000 members who come from 100 countries and all walks of life, according to the society's website.

Parents who are curious to see if their children have what it takes to join Mensa may want to have them take an IQ Test for Kids.

Researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System have found a link between a specific genetic variation and the reduction in intellectual function that affects some men as they age.

According to the investigators behind this research, which appeared online in Translational Psychiatry, the genetic variation was located in the hippocampus, a region of the brain that plays a role in the formation and storage of memories. Airplane pilots who participated in the study and had this variation also experienced an age-related decline in the size of this neurological area.

As the researchers tested 144 experienced pilots, who were at least 40 years of age, over three separate sessions that were each spaced a year apart, they witnessed a decline in performance among those with the genetic variation.

"This gene-associated difference may apply not only to pilots but also to the general public, for example in the ability to operate complex machinery," said Ahmad Salehi, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford.

Older professionals, such as airline pilots, who are curious to see if their brain is as strong as it was in their youth may want to take an IQ test.

Many schools around the country provide special programs for students that meet certain academic requirements, such as a high IQ. For example, gifted individuals from the Hattiesburg Public School District in Mississippi devote five hours a week to the REACH program, the Hattiesburg American reported.

In total, there are 175 second through eighth graders currently participating in the District's gifted program, the news source stated. In order to gain entry into REACH, students must score in the 90th percentile of their age group on an IQ test that is administered by the District. Mississippi's minimum state required score is 119.

"Our goal is to create an educational environment that meets the needs of intellectually-gifted children that allows for autonomous learning, creative thinking [and] meta-cognition, outside of what the regular, standard curriculum would offer them," Jas N. Smith, a spokesman for the District, told the news outlet.

Currently, REACH students are being taught how to flex their creative muscles, the news source stated. In a class of six at Thames Elementary School, program participants recently made lengthy lists of all the items that can be placed inside of a hat.

According to Livestrong, an IQ test can identify potential areas of academic achievement for students. 

The National Association for Gifted Children states that there are an estimated 3,000,000 gifted children in classrooms throughout the country. As these students often learn differently from their fellow classmates, they can benefit from education programs that cater to their specific needs.

Missouri's Lindbergh Schools recognized the needs of gifted students and established a new facility for its Lindbergh Eager Achievers Program (LEAP), South County Times reported.

At the Schools, children who are identified as gifted students are placed into LEAP, which is the elementary portion of the Lindbergh's gifted education program, according to the Schools' website. Kindergartners who take part in LEAP devote one half-day per week to the program, while pupils in the first through fifth grades take part in a full day of LEAP learning on a weekly basis.

On September 26, students had an opportunity to explore the new LEAP facility, which features five classrooms with the latest digital technology and a playground, the news source reported.

Parents who feel their children may be gifted can have them take an IQ test. The results of this assessment can help parents and school officials make sure these youths are placed in the appropriate academic settings.