What Is A Fluid Intelligence Test: Should You Be Using One?

When it comes to effective recruitment, employers today are looking beyond learned knowledge and qualifications to assess candidates on their natural problem-solving and adaptive thinking abilities.

One such tool for this type of assessment is a fluid intelligence test. This article explores the nature of these tests and their relevance in the recruitment process.

What is a fluid intelligence test?

As a form of psychometric assessment, a fluid intelligence test objectively measures cognitive abilities that relate to fluid intelligence - abilities like abstract reasoning, pattern recognition, and logical thinking.

They do so through a series of questions or tasks that require individuals to analyze and manipulate abstract information, solve problems, and draw conclusions from new information.

Fluid intelligence tests have been around since the mid-20th century. Over the years they have become more refined and reliable thanks to advancements in design, standardization, and scoring.

Today, they are commonly used alongside other psychometric assessments to comprehensively evaluate candidate potential during the recruitment and selection process.

Fluid intelligence vs. crystallized intelligence

Before we look at how and why to assess fluid intelligence, it’s important to establish how it differs from crystallized intelligence, and how the two relate to each other.

As mentioned, fluid intelligence is all about abstract reasoning and logical thinking - cognitive abilities considered to exist naturally.

Those who possess high levels of fluid intelligence can solve a problem or adapt to new situations effectively without the use of prior knowledge or learning.

Crystallized intelligence on the other hand refers to acquired knowledge, skills, and expertise. This type of intelligence is developed over time through education and experience.

While they differ in their underlying nature, it’s important to note that both types of intelligence are integral to cognitive functioning and significantly influence a candidate's job performance.

Why is it important to assess fluid intelligence?

It’s particularly important to assess the fluid intelligence of potential employees because of its strong links to problem-solving, adaptability, and learning potential.

These are all highly sought-after traits in the modern workforce and should be considered essential shortlisting criteria in recruitment.

By evaluating fluid intelligence, employers can gain a deeper understanding of a candidate’s capacity to think critically, handle complex tasks, and quickly absorb new information.

They can identify individuals who are likely to excel, and ultimately foster a more productive and innovative workforce through informed hiring decisions.

Examples of fluid intelligence tests

There are various tests available for assessing fluid intelligence, each with its unique format and approach. Some of the most commonly used tests include:

Raven's Progressive Matrices: a widely used fluid intelligence test that presents candidates with a series of visual puzzles. Each puzzle consists of a matrix with a missing element and asks the test taker to identify the pattern and select the correct missing piece from a set of options.

Woodcock-Johnson Test of Cognitive Abilities: this is a battery of subtests, each of which measures a certain aspect of fluid intelligence, such as verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and information processing speed. Employers can administer any combination of these subtests as a tailored assessment.

**Abstract reasoning test: these tests assess a candidate’s ability to identify sequential rules, relationships, and connections between shapes, symbols, and patterns. They typically involve solving visual puzzles, series completion tasks, or matrix reasoning exercises that require analytical thinking and deduction skills.

**Logical reasoning test: logical reasoning tests come in various formats themselves. Questions can use non-verbal prompts like with an abstract reasoning test, or they can ask candidates to conclude from written information. In the latter case, tests typically involve a series of questions or scenarios where the test taker must identify the most logical outcome, or infer relationships between elements.

**Spatial reasoning test: these tests measure a candidate’s ability to perceive and mentally manipulate spatial relationships. They involve mental rotation, visualizing objects from different perspectives, and identifying patterns in spatial arrangements.

While the tasks involved in these tests may differ, all are seen as reliable tools for objectively measuring fluid intelligence.

What are the benefits of using fluid intelligence tests?

Now we understand what these tests are and how they measure fluid intelligence, let's take a closer look at how they can enhance the recruitment and selection process.

They help predict job performance

As they measure transferable skills crucial to success in most modern professions, fluid intelligence tests are widely regarded as a reliable indicator of future performance.

While technical skills and experience can tell employers how qualified a candidate is, a fluid intelligence test offers insight into their ability to handle complex tasks and adapt to dynamic work environments.

They help to identify high-potential candidates

Fluid intelligence tests help identify candidates with strong cognitive abilities, indicating their potential for growth, learning, and advancement within the organization.

By administering these tests, employers can pinpoint individuals who are likely to excel in challenging roles that require analytical thinking, innovative problem-solving, and quick decision-making.

They improve hiring efficiency

Incorporating fluid intelligence tests into the selection process allows for a standardized and objective assessment of candidates' cognitive abilities.

This leads to more efficient hiring, as employers can quickly screen and shortlist candidates based on their fluid intelligence scores, saving time and resources in the recruitment process.

They help remove bias

The standardized nature and objectivity of fluid intelligence tests also help to reduce the impact of unconscious bias in the hiring process.

They provide a more impartial and fair assessment of cognitive ability, helping to promote diversity and inclusion in talent selection.

They can be used to enhance team dynamics

Assessing fluid intelligence during the hiring process can contribute to building high-performing teams.

By considering a combination of fluid intelligence and other relevant factors, such as experience and expertise, employers can assemble teams with complementary cognitive abilities, fostering greater collaboration and innovation.

They can be used for better training and development

It’s not just the recruitment process that can benefit from fluid intelligence testing - these assessments can also be used post-hire to inform targeted training and development programs.

By understanding the cognitive strengths and weaknesses of employees, employers can provide them with the necessary tools and resources to enhance specific abilities needed for better job performance.

Should you use a fluid intelligence test?

The benefits of using fluid intelligence tests speak for themselves, but these assessments may not be relevant to all organizations, or indeed to all job openings.

To determine how suitable these tests are, employers should carefully consider how crucial fluid intelligence is to the role they’re hiring for, and if it is important, how it weighs up against other factors like technical ability and experience.

In most cases it’s advisable to use a fluid intelligence test alongside other pre-employment assessments, like job suitability tests and personality questionnaires, to better determine an applicant’s full potential.

Test results should then be considered along with work history, qualifications, and interview performance.

There are also available resources to consider. These tests take some investment of both time and money to administer, though the increased efficiency they bring to the hiring process typically outweighs this initial investment.

This is particularly true when employers work with experienced and reputable test providers.

Overall, when administered correctly and used in conjunction with other selection methods, fluid intelligence tests are a valuable addition to recruitment practices, helping to facilitate a fair, objective, and comprehensive evaluation of candidate suitability.