New MyIQ analysis shows how candidates experience IQ testing as part of recruitment, with key insights into perceived fairness, anxiety, and what makes the process feel legitimate.
MyIQ has released new findings based on survey responses from 1,824 U.S.-based users who completed a cognitive test while actively applying for jobs. The analysis provides rare insight into how candidates themselves interpret the use of IQ assessments during hiring, not as a theoretical debate, but as a lived experience.
For many, cognitive testing added a sense of structure to an otherwise ambiguous process. 58% of respondents said the IQ test felt like a fairer way to demonstrate potential than submitting a résumé alone. Among those applying for roles involving problem-solving, analysis, or rapid learning, 63% felt the test format gave them a clearer opportunity to show their strengths.
However, emotional responses were mixed. 42% reported feeling heightened anxiety during the testing process, with several noting that timed, logic-based tasks reminded them of high-stakes academic exams. For others, the IQ test introduced a sense of legitimacy. “It made the process feel more objective,” wrote one respondent. “Like I was being evaluated for what I can actually do, not just where I’ve worked.”
Despite this, fairness concerns remain significant. 46% flagged potential bias tied to socioeconomic background, digital access, or differences in educational exposure. 52% said IQ testing should only be used alongside practical tasks or interviews, to prevent overreliance on a single metric.
When asked what would make cognitive testing feel more just, the most common answers included clear explanation of how results are used, anonymisation of personal data, and adaptive difficulty levels that account for varied cognitive profiles.
These responses reflect a broader shift in how candidates approach assessments. Rather than rejecting cognitive evaluation outright, most respondents said its legitimacy depends on transparency, context, and how results are integrated into hiring decisions.
As employers experiment with more data-driven recruitment models, the candidate perspective will likely shape which tools gain lasting traction. Survey findings suggest that when candidates understand the purpose and process of IQ testing, and when it is presented as one part of a wider assessment, their trust increases, and so does perceived fairness.
About MyIQ:
MyIQ was launched in 2024 and is used by over a million individuals worldwide. It is a digital self-knowledge platform that offers more than an IQ score, with over 9 million completed tests across the various test categories, cognitive, personality, and relationships, all with personalised, actionable insights. The platform offers over 25 brain games, more than 150 intelligence puzzles, over 20 hours of expert video content, and 300+ available lessons on emotional intelligence, problem-solving, innovation, confidence-building, and decision-making. Through its IQ test, full-spectrum personality assessment, and relationship insight quiz, MyIQ delivers structured, personalized feedback that helps individuals better understand their inner world and behaviour.
MyIQ was launched in 2024 and is used by over a million individuals worldwide. It is a digital self-knowledge platform that offers more than an IQ score, with over 9 million completed tests across the various test categories, cognitive, personality, and relationships, all with personalised, actionable insights. The platform offers over 25 brain games, more than 150 intelligence puzzles, over 20 hours of expert video content, and 300+ available lessons on emotional intelligence, problem-solving, innovation, confidence-building, and decision-making. Through its IQ test, full-spectrum personality assessment, and relationship insight quiz, MyIQ delivers structured, personalized feedback that helps individuals better understand their inner world and behaviour.