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SEL and Testing Part 2. Emotional Intelligence Testing

© Marilyn Robb

Emotional Intelligence Testing.

For many years IQ (intelligence quotient) tests have been used in the education systems. These tests have purported to measure how “smart” we are. Debate continues about the usefulness, relevance, and reliability of these tests. Despite the confusion, IQ scores still carry some weight in academic circles. Standardized tests can be considered off shoots of IQ tests in some ways.

Since the late 90s and the emergence of Emotional Intelligence as a significant aspect of our functioning, necessity arose for a measure of EQ (emotional intelligence quotient). It is still too early to arrive at conclusive evidence of the reliability and usefulness of EQ testing. I believe that much more thought and trials are still needed.

In an attempt to explore the availability and use of EQ tests I went to the internet. There are some EQ tests available but none specifically seemed geared for use in the classroom. Those I found were mainly for personal assessment of one’s own emotional intelligence level. The test at http://www.psychtests.com seemed very popular. A number of the websites linked back to this test. With the definition of emotional intelligence in mind ( the ability of a person to identify and manage his own emotions and to recognize and respond appropriately to the emotions of others) I examined some of the items on the test. I even took the test myself.

Some of the items were: When I feel crappy I don’t know what or who is upsetting me.

I panic when I have to face someone who is angry.

I will do whatever I can to keep myself from crying.

These were answered by : most of the time, often, sometimes, rarely or almost never.

People who are emotional make me uncomfortable. Answer: very true, mostly true, somewhat true, mostly not true, not true at all.

Then there was a section of situations to assess and respond to.

This was a 70 item test that seemed to cover many areas of emotional intelligence.

My score on this test was 131. Amazing was how the “scorer” described it. On another online test (at http://www.emode.com) however my score was 145. It leaves me to think about the accuracy and reliability of these tests. It must be pointed out however that they are not recommended for use in the classroom. It is obvious that there are a number of issues to consider if there is ever to be such a thing as an accurate measure of emotional intelligence in students. One of the points I would raise with these tests is that it was easy in most cases to know what the expected answer is. The temptation was great to tick that instead of what is really true of me or what my reaction truthfully is in a certain situation.