Last Updated on November 7, 2026
If your child’s school has suggested an IQ assessment, you may be wondering what your child will be asked to do and what the results will mean. One question worth taking to the appointment is, “What are we hoping to understand about my child?”
That question gives the psychologist a starting point. It also gives you something to come back to when you’re sitting with the report and trying to make sense of the numbers.
What Is an IQ Assessment?
An IQ assessment uses standardised tasks to measure how a child handles different kinds of thinking. Depending on the test, your child might explain how two things are alike, complete a visual pattern or remember information for a short time.
The psychologist compares your child’s performance with that of children of the same age in the test’s reference group. They look at how your child did across different tasks as well as at the overall score. A child might find visual puzzles easier than tasks that ask them to hold several pieces of information in mind.
What Happens During Your Child’s Appointment?
The psychologist will usually ask why your child was referred and what you’ve noticed at home or school. If a teacher raised the concern, bring a specific example. “She can explain the lesson aloud but loses track when the worksheet has several steps” gives the psychologist more to work with than “She’s struggling in class.”
Your child then works through a series of activities with the psychologist. To prepare them, keep the explanation simple. You could say, “You’ll do a few different activities so we can understand what feels easy for you and what takes more effort.” Help them arrive rested and tell the psychologist if they’re unwell or unusually tired on the day.
What If Your Child Speaks Different Languages at Home and School?
Tell the psychologist which languages your child uses and where. For example, your child might speak Marathi at home, study in English and switch between the two when explaining something unfamiliar.
Ask which language the assessment will use and which group your child’s scores will be compared with. The test version, language and reference group all matter when interpreting the results.
How Do You Read an IQ Assessment Report?
The report may give you several numbers. These are the ones you’re most likely to be asked to discuss.
- Full Scale IQ is an overall estimate based on a set of tasks.
- Index scores describe performance in specific areas, such as reasoning or working memory. The areas reported depend on the test.
- Percentile rank shows how your child performed compared with the test’s same-age reference group. The 25th percentile means they scored as well as or better than about 25% of that group.
- Confidence interval is a range that reflects the uncertainty around a test score.
If the scores differ across areas, ask the psychologist which differences are meaningful and whether they fit what you or the teacher have noticed. If the assessment is part of an evaluation for intellectual disability, the psychologist also considers everyday skills, such as communication and managing age-appropriate routines.
What Should You Ask at the Feedback Appointment?
Bring the concern that led to the referral back into the conversation. If the teacher was worried about multi-step work, ask whether the findings help explain what happens during those lessons.
Three questions can help you leave with a clear next step.
- What did my child find easier, and where did they have to work harder?
- Which finding is most relevant to what we’re seeing at home or in class?
- What’s one change we can try, and how will we know if it helps?
If the psychologist suggests a classroom change, ask them to describe it in terms you can pass on to the teacher. For example, “Give the instructions one step at a time and check that my child knows what to do first” is easier to act on than a score on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an IQ assessment take?
It depends on the test and what the psychologist needs to assess. As one example, Pearson lists 60–90 minutes for the core tasks of the WISC-IV India. Ask how much time to set aside and whether the feedback discussion will happen separately.
Can a child have an IQ assessment online?
Some cognitive tests can be administered remotely. Suitability depends on the tool, your child’s needs and the testing setup. Ask the psychologist which test they plan to use and how they’ll handle any tasks that need to be done in person. You can ask about the available options through PsychiCare’s assessments for children and teenagers.
