Intelligence is an interesting and broad concept that includes problem-solving, creativity, emotional understanding, and logical reasoning. While traditional IQ tests provide one way to measure intelligence, they don’t capture its full complexity. If you are interested in knowing your level of intelligence beyond the standard tests, then here are five practical tips to be able to estimate where you excel and where you might not be so great.

Take a variety of tests
Intelligence has many forms - logical reasoning to emotional intelligence, and creative thinking. While the IQ tests try to measure one's logical reasoning, problem solving, mathematical abilities, and verbal ability, EQ tests measure your ability to understand and manage your emotions in both yourself and other people. The other dimension is creativity, for which tests try to measure how divergently you can think and generate novel ideas.

Keep in mind that no single test can fully define your intelligence. Use multiple tests to gain a holistic perspective and understand your strengths and weaknesses.



Always challenge your cognitive skills, never settle for easy problems
Engage in activities that stimulate your brain and test your cognitive abilities. These challenges can reveal your aptitude in areas like memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Play games like sudoku, chess, and crossword puzzles that are excellent for testing logical reasoning and strategic thinking. Memory exercises like recalling details from a book, remembering names of people- places or things, or practicing memorization techniques like mnemonics can sharpen your brain.

By immersing yourself in these challenges, you will gain insights into how your brain processes information and adapts to new tasks, a key indicator of intelligence.

Check your learning ability
A significant marker of intelligence is how quickly and effectively you learn new things. You can evaluate this by observing your adaptability and curiosity:

Try something new, such as a musical instrument, language or new application software. Keep track of how easily you pick up concepts and retain knowledge.

When you are up against an obstacle, take notice how you respond to it. You might use creative problem solving, logical analysis, or experimentation; this can reveal a lot about your intellectual strengths.

A hallmark of intelligence is the ability to learn from mistakes. Take a note of how you adapt and improve after setbacks. This is probably one of the most reliable signs of intelligence, for it shows how you adapt to an ever-changing and dynamic world.

Observe your emotional intelligence
Intelligence isn’t just about logic and reasoning; emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in personal and professional success. Assessing this aspect involves examining how well you understand and manage emotions. Pay attention to your emotional reactions. Do you recognize and understand your feelings and how they affect your actions? Observe how well you understand and connect with others’ emotions. Empathy is a cornerstone of strong interpersonal relationships. Evaluate your ability to navigate conflicts. Do you handle disagreements calmly and constructively, or do emotions get in the way? Consider how well you communicate, collaborate, and maintain relationships. Effective social interaction requires a mix of emotional intelligence and cognitive ability.



High emotional intelligence can indicate a well-rounded intellect that balances logic with empathy and interpersonal skills.

Reflect on your creativity
Creativity is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of intelligence. It involves generating original ideas, solving problems innovatively, and thinking outside the box. Whether it’s painting, writing, cooking, or designing, observe how easily you come up with unique ideas and solutions. Try exercises like brainstorming or listing as many uses as possible for an everyday object. This assesses your ability to think in unconventional ways. Take on tasks with no clear right or wrong answer, such as conceptualizing a new product or planning a creative event.

Creativity highlights your ability to connect ideas, approach challenges innovatively, and bring fresh perspectives to any situation, all of which are hallmarks of intelligence.