AN ENLIGHTENING CONVERSATION ON
THE IQ TEST
Blessed John Paul II, quoting Aristotle, said: “all human beings desire to know†(Fides et Ratio, no. 25). We all long to know more and students in particular wish to know more on how to take different kinds of tests, including entrance exams.
Fr. Dionisio Cabezon OP
It is a great pleasure for us being with Fr. Dionisio Cabezon OP, who is staying with us at St. Dominic’s Priory in Macau. Fr Dionisio (Oteros de Boedo, Palencia 1930) is a retiring full Professor at the Dominican University of Santo Tomas, Manila. We are very happy to know that he came to live with us during his summer vacation in the Philippines. On May 10, 2011 he talked to us on “How to take an IQ Test?†An IQ test, he stressed to us, is really a time test, and therefore the important question is: How can we spend our time wisely when taking this specific kind of test?
The life of a student is full of tests. So, it is very good to know the different kinds of tests, and how to make a good test. We always have difficulties when taking a test, perhaps we feel nervous or perhaps we are scared. Our main fear may be that we do not know the specific procedure for a particular test, for instance, the IQ test or the verbal and non-verbal tests.
In his clear and simple lecture, Fr. Dionisio, a psychologist and professor of rational psychology and pastoral psychology, shared his thoughts on how to take an IQ test, on the importance of minding the time allotted to the test. He pointed out that when taking the IQ test we should not spend too much time with a question, but continue answering the other questions and, if there is time later, come back to that difficult question. He encouraged us to be prepared, and not to be afraid! Â In a test, there are procedures that we have to follow when we take it. We should read this procedure carefully and ask the questions we may have regarding this procedure before the test begins: during the test, we will not be able to ask questions anymore. Another important thing Fr Dionisio underlined was this: we have to prepare ourselves the best we can for a given test. Basically, our previous studies make us ready to take an intelligence test that will examine mainly our abilities to proceed with higher studies.
Usually, people including myself are worried when going to take a test.  After our fraternal sharing with Fr. Dionisio, I realized that my nervousness is due mainly to the fear of being alone facing the test! We don’t have to be nervous when going to take a test, or during the test. So let’s take a test with confidence!
We the students are very grateful to our brother Dominican Fr. Dionisio not only for being with us for over a month but also for sharing with us his wisdom and experience, and for offering himself to us for any personal consultation.
Dear Fr. Dionisio, may God bless you abundantly and keep you in his peace!
Bro. Matthew Shing Mang Tun