What is the purpose of an intelligence test?

The purpose of an intelligence test is to evaluate a person's intelligence through a numerical score. Intelligence tests are designed to measure cognitive abilities such as reasoning, problem-solving, and comprehension, typically resulting in an IQ score that provides a standard metric for comparison. This score can help identify an individual's intellectual capabilities relative to a normative group, assisting in educational placement, assessing developmental issues, or other related evaluations.

In contrast, emotional stability, creativity, and social skills are distinct areas of psychological assessment that do not fall under the primary objective of intelligence testing. Emotional stability pertains more to personality assessments, creativity is often explored through divergent thinking measures, and social skills are typically evaluated through social competence or interpersonal relationship tests. Thus, the focus on cognitive ability in intelligence testing makes the numerical scoring an essential aspect of its purpose.