Introduction
A CAT score refers to the percentile score achieved on the Common Admission Test, an exam used by business schools in India for admission screening. The CAT aims to assess a candidate’s quantitative, verbal, and analytical abilities. A high CAT percentile indicates that the test taker performed better than the majority of other exam takers.
In contrast, an IQ score is a measure of a person’s cognitive abilities and intelligence, typically obtained through standardized tests like the Stanford-Binet or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. IQ tests assess skills such as memory, processing speed, spatial abilities, and logical reasoning. The average IQ score is defined as 100, with higher and lower scores indicating above or below average intelligence.
While both CAT and IQ scores provide an evaluation of a person’s cognitive skills, they have some key differences. The CAT focuses specifically on skills assessed by business schools, while IQ aims to measure general intelligence. Additionally, CAT scores are percentile rankings, while IQ scores are standardized against age-matched peers. There is likely correlation between the two, but high CAT scores do not automatically equate to high IQ.
What is a CAT Score?
CAT stands for Cognitive Abilities Test [1]. It is used by employers for recruitment and selection. The CAT assesses skills like verbal, quantitative, and spatial abilities.
Some of the cognitive skills measured by the CAT include numerical ability, verbal ability, abstract reasoning, perceptual speed and accuracy, and mechanical reasoning [1]. The test is designed to gauge how well an individual can analyze, reason, and solve problems.
The CAT provides employers with a standardized way to evaluate applicants’ abilities and skills that are relevant to performing various jobs. It aims to provide an objective assessment of skills needed for an occupation.
What is an IQ Score?
IQ stands for “intelligence quotient.” It is a numeric score used to assess intelligence and the ability to learn based on standardized tests. The most well-known IQ tests used today are the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) (Wechsler, 2003; Wechsler, 2008).
IQ tests like the WISC and WAIS use a series of standardized subtests to measure different cognitive abilities. These subtests assess areas like verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed. The scores on each subtest are combined and converted into a composite IQ score, which represents overall cognitive functioning compared to other people in the same age group.
The average IQ score on these tests is 100, with scores between 90-109 considered average intelligence. Scores between 70-79 are considered borderline impaired, while scores of 130 and above are in the gifted range. IQ scores are designed to follow what is called a “normal distribution” bell curve, where most people cluster around the average score.
While IQ tests aim to measure innate intelligence and abilities, factors like education, motivation, test-taking skills and culture can influence performance. Still, IQ scores are frequently used in education and clinical settings as an indicator of general cognitive functioning (Neisser et al., 1996).
References:
Wechsler, D. (2003). Wechsler intelligence scale for children-WISC-IV. Psychological Corporation.
Wechsler, D. (2008). WAIS-IV: Wechsler adult intelligence scale. Psychological corporation.
Neisser, U., Boodoo, G., Bouchard Jr, T. J., Boykin, A. W., Brody, N., Ceci, S. J., … & Urbina, S. (1996). Intelligence: Knowns and unknowns. American psychologist, 51(2), 77.
Key Similarities
Both CAT and IQ tests aim to measure cognitive abilities and intelligence through standardized testing methodologies. They administer a series of subtests designed to gauge skills in areas like verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, abstract thinking, and spatial awareness. The test taker’s performance across the various subtests generates a score that can be statistically compared to norms from a standardized sample population. This allows test-takers to understand their abilities in relation to their peers.
The testing conditions are also standardized and timed for both CAT and IQ tests. This ensures that all test takers complete the assessment under the same controlled environment, making scores more comparable. Both tests generate results on a bell curve, with the average score being 100. Scores are reported as percentile ranks, standard scores, or special quotients to show performance relative to the norm group.
Sources:
[1] https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/education/4251071-CAT-scores-vs-IQ-or-FSIQ
Key Differences
While there are similarities between CAT scores and IQ scores, there are some key differences between the two assessments:
CAT tests tend to focus more narrowly on specific cognitive skills like verbal, quantitative, and analytical abilities that are relevant for certain jobs or education programs. IQ tests aim to get a broader overall measurement of general intelligence. As the Mumsnet article notes, “IQ tests [assess] a wider range of skills and abilities.”
CATs are primarily used for recruitment, hiring, and admissions purposes to predict candidate success. IQ tests are more often used in clinical settings to identify special needs and evaluate cognitive functioning over time. As Quora discusses, “CATs are designed to measure abilities, skills and knowledge that are important in academic and employment settings.”
CAT questions closely resemble actual tasks required in a job or academic program. IQ test questions are more abstract puzzles that indicate reasoning abilities. The Structural Learning post points out CATs “mimic the reasoning required in different career fields.”
In summary, while both assess cognitive abilities, CATs are more career-focused while IQ tests evaluate overall mental horsepower. CATs aim to predict job or academic performance, whereas IQ tests classify general intellectual capacity.
Correlation Between Scores
There is a moderate correlation between CAT scores and IQ scores, but they are not directly interchangeable. As one source explains, “So, while a high CAT percentile can indicate strong cognitive abilities, it doesn’t directly equate to a high IQ.” (Source)
In general, people with higher IQ scores tend to perform better on tests like the CAT that measure reasoning ability. However, it is possible for someone to have a high IQ but still struggle with the specific types of questions on the CAT. As one forum discusses, “Someone could have a high IQ but score poorly on CAT.” (Source)
The CAT focuses specifically on quantitative, verbal, and logical reasoning skills. So while it measures certain aspects of intelligence, it does not directly measure overall IQ. Two people with similar IQs could still have very different CAT scores based on their specific skill strengths and test-taking abilities.
Interpreting the Scores
CAT scores are often used within a recruitment context to evaluate a candidate’s abilities in areas like verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and abstract reasoning. The scores provide employers with an indication of a candidate’s potential job performance. According to one source, “CAT scores are a standardised way for employers to evaluate recruits’ abilities in key areas believed to be relevant in a workplace context.”
In contrast, IQ scores are most commonly used in clinical settings to identify intellectual disabilities. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “IQ test scores are one of the diagnostic criteria used to determine if someone has an intellectual disability.” IQ scores below 70-75 indicate a limitation in intellectual functioning. However, there are caveats to using IQ tests, as factors like socioeconomic status, education quality, motivation, and cultural bias can influence results.
While both CAT and IQ tests aim to measure cognitive abilities, their purposes and interpretation differ. CATs serve as recruitment screening tools, while IQ tests formally assess developmental disorders. An individual could score highly on the CAT but lower on an IQ test, or vice versa. As one source notes, “CAT scores provide limited insight into a person’s overall intelligence. Instead, they measure competencies relevant for occupational settings.”
Sources:
https://embrace-autism.com/interpreting-your-cat-q-scores/
https://www.quora.com/Does-having-a-CAT-99-percentile-suggest-that-someone-has-a-high-IQ
Reliability
Both CAT and IQ scores can have issues with reliability. The reliability of CAT scores depends on how relevant the test is to the target job (Source 1). Tests tailored to a specific role tend to have higher reliability and validity. IQ scores can be affected by practice effects, where people get better results by taking the test multiple times (Source 2). So IQ scores may not give a fully accurate picture of someone’s inherent intelligence if they have practiced such tests extensively.
Validity
Validity refers to how well a test measures what it claims to measure. The Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT) and IQ tests aim to measure different constructs, and therefore have different approaches to establishing validity.
The CAT focuses on having high face validity – the extent to which the test appears to measure job-related skills and abilities. The CAT aims to have strong predictive validity, meaning the test scores are correlated with and predictive of job performance. This gives the CAT higher validity for assessing skills needed for success in many jobs.
IQ tests aim to measure general intelligence or “g” factor. They strive for construct validity, meaning the test accurately captures the theoretical concept of intelligence. IQ tests use techniques like factor analysis to demonstrate they are measuring a common, underlying factor of intelligence. However, some argue IQ lacks full construct validity as intelligence is a complex construct [1].
In summary, the CAT prioritizes face and predictive validity for occupational skills, while IQ tests aim for construct validity in measuring the broader concept of intelligence.
Conclusion
In summary, CAT scores and IQ scores share some key similarities in that they both aim to measure cognitive abilities and intelligence through standardized testing methods. However, they differ in terms of the specific cognitive skills assessed, types of questions asked, and purposes of the tests.
While CAT and IQ scores often correlate positively, they are not interchangeable measures of intelligence. The CAT focuses more on reasoning skills applied in educational settings, while IQ tests evaluate a broader range of cognitive abilities. Also, CAT scores are normed among test takers of similar ages and grades, whereas IQ scores are normed on the general population.
Ultimately, the interpretation and usefulness of CAT and IQ scores depend on the specific context and purpose. Both can provide insights into certain cognitive strengths and weaknesses when used properly. However, neither score alone paints a complete picture of an individual’s intellect or potential. Proper administration, updated norms, and looking at the scores in combination with other factors are important for making meaningful inferences from CATs and IQ tests.