By GIP – Genetic Intelligence Project 

Research center identifies that non-verbal tests such as the SON-R overestimate scores in children, while the genetic profile of intelligence aligns with the WISC result.

A new report from the GIP – Genetic Intelligence Project, the scientific arm of the Center for Applied Genetic Intelligence, revealed a relevant discovery about the accuracy of intelligence tests in children. The study involved the joint application of the WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) and SON-R (Snijders-Oomen Nonverbal Intelligence Test) tests, crossed with the genomic analysis of the participants.

The data indicated that the SON-R generated higher scores compared to the WISC in the same individuals. However, when comparing these results with the genetic markers of intelligence identified via GWAS, it was observed that the WISC scores more accurately reflected the levels expected according to the genotypic composition of the children.

What differentiates the tests?
WISC: based on verbal, logical and working memory tasks. It is most strongly associated with executive functions and heritable cognitive abilities, often mapped in studies of polygenic intelligence.

SON-R: non-verbal and adaptive in nature, it seeks to minimize cultural and linguistic barriers. Although effective in diverse clinical contexts, it may overestimate performance in profiles with momentary compensatory strategies.

Interpretation of the findings
The main conclusion of the report is that the SON-R, although useful as a complementary instrument, tends to mitigate structural cognitive limitations in some children’s profiles. On the other hand, the WISC demonstrated greater coherence with individual genetic data, suggesting that it more accurately assesses the neurocognitive bases associated with intellectual potential.

The observed discrepancy reinforces the importance of cross-referencing psychometric tests with genetic information, especially when seeking an in-depth understanding of basic intelligence.

Prospects for the future
The GIP plans to expand the research to other age groups, including the application of tests such as the WAIS, in addition to incorporating epigenetic data that can clarify the influence of the environment on the expression of genes related to cognition.

This finding contributes to the advancement of psychometrics integrated with neuroscience and genetics, promoting more accurate diagnoses and more effective educational interventions.