Koori IQ Test
A special note from James Wilson-Miller, author of ‘Koori IQ Test’
This test is an example of a deliberately contrived culturally biased test. It was devised for use with non-Indigenous university students and is not designed for school children or Indigenous university students.
This test should be done using commonsense. It has been misconstrued many times by people with academic standing.
The ‘Koori IQ Test’ is a contrived name that means the ‘Knowledge Of Operative Reflective Intelligence’. This is a send-up of academic educational jargon.
Koori does refer to the term ‘Koori’, which some Indigenous Australian people use to identify themselves. However, it is nothing to do with ‘measuring’ the ‘intelligence’ of Koori or other Indigenous Australian people. It is an example of what such an ‘IQ Test’ might be if it were designed by Koori people – if Koori people were to subscribe to such testing.
The main point is to show Non-Indigenous student teachers two things: how the value of knowledge is culturally constructed; and what it’s like to be assessed and graded on the basis of alien criteria.
For generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have been assessed, graded, and placed into classes of low achievement because of culturally biased testing principles commonly known as Intelligence Quota (IQ) testing. The ‘intelligence’ one needs is based on ‘knowledge’ of how to ‘reflectively operate’ in a social system pre-determined by a society’s decision makers.
This test was first developed in 1982 and revised by me in 1996, 2001 and 2003 to give people an idea of just one of the unequal components of ‘special treatment’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have experienced for decades. When using this test with non-Indigenous people they gain some understanding of the impact of culturally biased tests.
The 20 questions within this test, would be known by the majority of Indigenous people in NSW over the age of 20. The majority of non-Indigenous people would flounder. However, be aware that many non-Indigenous people have had contact and have worked in Indigenous communities in NSW for quite some time. They will score higher than people who have not had this experience. It can be and probably has already been adapted in other States and Territories. Hopefully with the permission of the author.
Guidelines for delivery include:
- Only giving the test to non-Indigenous adults – it is not designed for children;
- Giving the test to only non-Indigenous people as it is designed to inform non-Indigenous people of the impact of culturally biased tests on Indigenous people - and of how little most will know;
- Giving the test in a humorous way – it is not designed to be serious; and
- Understanding that the test is meant to highlight ‘cultural bias’ not ‘cultural racism’.
This test may be printed and distributed to student teachers and teachers with the kind permission of:
James Wilson-Miller.
Curator: Koori History and Culture
Powerhouse Museum
500 Harris St Ultimo 1238
Ph: 92170532
Fax: 92170355
Take the test…
