IQ tests the new vanity scam. What do you think?

You are correct. People want to be tested, judged and flattered. That's why we're on Yahoo Answers as well: we get points, we can 'win' best answer. There is a machine at one of the local bars here that has a punching bag, and gives you a score. The fact that people are being scored with a number they can compare to other people's scores causes them to put dollar after dollar in that machine.

You mean I'm not really a genius?! That makes me sad. This question has ruined my self-esteem.

I would agree. When I was a kid I was subjected to a real I.Q. test and it ran for about 5 hours. It was very difficult and I remember thinking that I would NEVER voluntarily do that again. I saw one of those on-line tests and the average time is 30 minutes. It's like having a rigged Rocharch test. I think that they're part of the "fun" of the net, and hold no substantive weight.

yeah i've done internet IQ tests and done really well. but i've also done the Mensa Home Test and according to that my IQ is 143, putting me in the top 3%

I never thought of this before, but I bet you're right. I have noticed that people all generally report their IQs as pretty high on here. I know my score wasn't too shabby when I took one of those tests but as you said who knows how accurate it was.

you have a good point, but then most people who take an IQ test voluntarily are the brighter ones - you wouldn't take one if you thought you were a moron, it would be embarrassing!