How Do I Interpret a Wonderlic Score?

The Wonderlic Test is a 12-minute, 50-question exam meant to test the aptitude of a prospective employee for learning and problem solving skills. The test was created by psychologist Eldon Wonderlic as a short form IQ test. Cultural awareness of the Wonderlic Test has recently increased because of its use by NFL scouts during the NFL combine. NFL quarterback, Vince Young, infamously scored a "6" (out of 50) on the Wonderlic Test in 2006.

Choose the correct Wonderlic Test to help interpret the scores accurately. There are 12 Wonderlic Tests, each one testing different aspects of the applicant. The most common test used is the Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test. This tests the general mental ability of the test taker. However, other tests are meant to assess skills, personality and reliability. Knowing what you want to assess will help you choose the right test to give to applicants.

Give the test in the proper environment. Some Wonderlic Tests need proctoring, while others do not. Some require a computer, while others use pen and paper. The amount of time alloted differs from test to test, as does the scoring rubric. Keep the settings as constant as possible from applicant to applicant to get the most comparable results.

Assess the results of the Wonderlic Test by using the rubric given with the exam. The Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test focuses on verbal, numerical and spatial reasoning. The test correlates score results to work ability. For example, according to the manual, a score of 16 to 22 suggests a limited capacity for anything outside of routine tasks. However, a score of 21 is considered equivalent to an IQ of 100 (the "average" person). This subjective score interpretation leaves it up to the employer to decide his needs from a prospective employee.