Free IQ-Style Test: 20 Reasoning Puzzles With Answers

Twenty original reasoning puzzles, from number series and analogies to logic and mental rotation, with an explanation after every answer and an honest look at what IQ tests measure.

  • 20 questions
  • About 15 min
  • Free, no sign-up
  • Based on the main ability areas sampled by intelligence tests

20 questions, about 15 min

Twenty reasoning puzzles drawn from a pool of 32: number series, verbal reasoning, logic and mental rotation. No general knowledge needed.

There is no timer, but try to answer as you would in a real test, without a calculator or search. After each answer you see the solution. Your score and missed puzzles appear at the end.

An Honest IQ-Style Test

Many free “IQ tests” online hand out an impressive number at the end. That number is usually meaningless. A real IQ score compares you with a large, representative sample of people your age and needs a standardised test given under controlled conditions, usually by a psychologist.

This test is different. It gives you 20 good reasoning puzzles drawn from a pool of 32, explains every answer and shows you a percentage of puzzles solved. You learn something whatever your score, and you can practise again.

What The Puzzles Cover

AreaExampleWhat it taps
Number series3, 7, 15, 31?Pattern recognition
Letter seriesB, E, H, K?Sequential reasoning
Verbal reasoningBook is to reading as fork is to…?Vocabulary and relations
LogicAll glips are trons…Deductive reasoning
Arithmetic reasoningA discounted price, average speedQuantitative reasoning
Spatial reasoningRotating letters, painted cubes, directionsMental rotation and visualisation

These are similar to the broad areas sampled by well-known intelligence tests, which typically combine verbal, quantitative, working memory, processing speed and visual-spatial tasks. All puzzles here are original to PrismaTest.

How It Is Scored

Puzzles correctResult
0% to 40%Warming up
41% to 60%Solid reasoning
61% to 80%Strong reasoning
81% to 100%Excellent reasoning

What IQ Tests Measure, And What They Do Not

  • IQ scores are standardised so that the average is 100 and about two-thirds of people score between 85 and 115.
  • IQ predicts some outcomes, such as school performance, moderately well, but it does not capture creativity, emotional intelligence, practical skills or motivation.
  • Scores rose over the 20th century, a pattern called the Flynn effect after researcher James Flynn, which suggests environment, education and nutrition matter.
  • Practice helps. Familiarity with puzzle types can raise scores, which is one reason professional tests restrict access to their items.

Want A More Formal Assessment?

If you need an IQ score for education, work or clinical reasons, contact a qualified psychologist. They use tests such as the Wechsler scales, which are standardised and supervised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this test tell me my IQ?

No. It shows how many reasoning puzzles you solved. Only a standardised, supervised test can estimate IQ.

Why are there no time limits?

Speed matters in real tests, but we prefer you to learn. Try timing yourself if you want a challenge.

Do the questions change each time?

Yes. Each attempt draws 20 from 32 puzzles.

Related Tests

Sharpen specific skills with the logic test, the analogies test or the critical thinking test.

A practice test of reasoning. Not a clinical or standardised IQ assessment. See how we build our tests.