New survey data from CerebrumIQ highlights growing tension around the role of cognitive scores in job applications, as candidates weigh the benefits of transparency against fears of bias.
In a recent survey, CerebrumIQ asked over 2,000 job seekers across the US, UK, and EU how they feel about including IQ or cognitive assessment scores in resumes, job applications, or professional profiles. The responses reveal a conflicted landscape: while many candidates believe cognitive metrics could help them stand out, just as many worry that disclosure could backfire.
Overall, 54% of respondents said they would consider adding IQ or cognitive scores to their application materials, especially for technical, analytical, or early-career roles where experience may be limited. Respondents cited perceived credibility, differentiation from generic resumes, and a desire to showcase problem-solving skills.
However, 46% of all respondents said they would avoid including such scores without knowing how employers interpret them. The most common concerns were lack of context, misinterpretation, or fear that the scores might be used to screen candidates without their knowledge.
In open-ended responses, users expressed mixed feelings:
· "I’m proud of my score, but I wouldn’t list it unless I knew how it would be received. It’s not just a number; it can be misunderstood."
· "IQ is part of how I think, not who I am. If companies use it without explaining how, that’s not transparent, it’s strategic ambiguity."
Notably, only 12% of respondents said they had ever been explicitly asked to provide IQ or cognitive test results during hiring, yet 38% believed such data may have been considered indirectly, without clear disclosure.
The findings suggest that candidates are increasingly aware of cognitive assessment as a hidden layer in the hiring process. While some welcome the idea of surfacing these scores as a marker of potential, others see it as a gatekeeping tool that lacks transparency and standardization.
As hiring platforms and employers experiment with new forms of evaluation, from gamified assessments to AI-powered screenings, the pressure is growing to establish clear norms. For job seekers, the core demand is not just fairness, but context: how scores are used, what they mean, and how candidates can respond to them meaningfully.
The CerebrumIQ survey points to a broader shift in how cognitive performance is treated in professional identity, not as a private metric, but as a potential asset, liability, or both. For some, cognitive scores are becoming a form of soft credentialing, a digital shorthand for potential in an economy of increasing ambiguity. As more users complete assessments on platforms like CerebrumIQ, questions of disclosure, consent, and interpretation are likely to move from the margins of hiring to its center.
About CerebrumIQ:
CerebrumIQ is a cognitive performance platform designed to strengthen mental skills through a blend of IQ testing, neural training games, intelligence puzzles, educational courses, and expert content. The assessments are calibrated to reflect standard IQ tests and used globally to track and enhance users’ thinking abilities. The platform, used by over a million people worldwide, offers more than 300 lessons on emotional intelligence, problem-solving, innovation, confidence-building, and decision-making, helping users develop essential life skills in a structured, engaging way. CerebrumIQ is redefining how people engage with their mental potential. Unlike entertainment-style brain games, Cerebrum IQ is a structured training ecosystem built to deliver lasting neural growth.
CerebrumIQ is a cognitive performance platform designed to strengthen mental skills through a blend of IQ testing, neural training games, intelligence puzzles, educational courses, and expert content. The assessments are calibrated to reflect standard IQ tests and used globally to track and enhance users’ thinking abilities. The platform, used by over a million people worldwide, offers more than 300 lessons on emotional intelligence, problem-solving, innovation, confidence-building, and decision-making, helping users develop essential life skills in a structured, engaging way. CerebrumIQ is redefining how people engage with their mental potential. Unlike entertainment-style brain games, Cerebrum IQ is a structured training ecosystem built to deliver lasting neural growth.