Mental Age Test: What Is Your Mental Age? I Psych Central

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SubscribeMental Age TestMedically reviewed by Bethany Juby, PsyD — Written by Christina Ward on September 6, 2022

• Who is it for?
• Is it accurate?

Disclaimer: This quiz is for entertainment purposes only. In no way is this an empirically validated test. The concepts presented are not rooted in any known research. The result has nothing to do with your intelligence quotient (IQ).

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Age is just a number.” But what does that really mean?

Simply put, your chronological age is simply the number of years you’ve been on Earth. It’s calculated by subtracting the year you were born from the current year.

But your mental age, aka intellectual age, is determined by your attitude, behavior, and intelligence.

The concept of mental age was first introduced by Alfred Binet who developed the first mental age test in 1905. Binet’s theory laid the foundation for the intelligence quotient (IQ) tests that are widely used today.

It’s not uncommon for someone to have a different mental age versus their chronological age. In fact, it was originally thought that the average mental age of adults was 16 — but was later found to be about 13.5.

So, a person who’s 40 years old may have a mental age of less than 30, or a person who’s 30 may have a mental age of 60 years old.

Whether you’re young at heart or have an “old soul,” you’re you, and it’s OK to be who you are.

You may be a 25-year-old who likes to go to bed at 8:00 pm and rise with the dawn. Or a 56-year-old who likes the nightlife, partying until dawn and sleeping until noon.

Maybe you’re a 60-year-old who loves to post yourself trying (and slaying) the latest trending dance moves on TikTok or showing off your cooking skills on Instagram.

No matter your age — chronological or mental — try to embrace it and accept who you are.

Who is this quiz for?

This brief, time-saving questionnaire is designed for anyone looking to find out their mental age.

The items below will help you determine whether you may have a more youthful attitude to life or a more mature one.

Is this quiz accurate?

This online screening is not a diagnosis or an official evaluation of your mental age.

It’s a fun tool to help you find out whether your mental age is the same as your chronological age.

Remember that your score doesn’t necessarily reflect your mood, intelligence, or behavior.

Having a younger mental age doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re childish or immature. Similarly, if you have an older mental age, it doesn’t mean that you’re too uptight or an old “fuddy duddy.”

In general, most people will have a score of less than 30. If you’re concerned or have questions, consider reaching out to a mental health professional.

 

2 sourcescollapsed

• Becker KA. (2003). History of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales: Content and psychometrics.https://www.hmhco.com/~/media/sites/home/hmh-assessments/clinical/stanford-binet/pdf/sb5_asb_1.pdf?la=en
• Lincoln EA. (1922). The mental age of adults.https://www.jstor.org/stable/27524698

FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Bethany Juby, PsyD — Written by Christina Ward on September 6, 2022

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