Wonderlic Test

The Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test (formerly known as the Wonderlic Personnel Test (WPT)) is a twelve-minute, fifty-question test used to assess the aptitude of prospective employees for learning and problem-solving in a range of occupations. The test was developed by Eldon F. Wonderlic. The score is calculated as the number of correct answers given in the allotted time. A score of 20 is intended to indicate average intelligence (corresponding to an intelligence quotient of 100; a rough approximation is accomplished via the following formula: IQ = 2WPT + 60.^{[citation needed]} A new version was released in January 2007 called the Wonderlic Contemporary Cognitive Ability Test (formerly known as the Wonderlic Personnel Test – Revised). It contains questions more appropriate to the 21st century and is available both online and in printed form, whereas the original test is only available on paper.

Sample questions

Similar to other standardized tests, the Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test presents its questions in an open response format with increasing difficulty. For example, a simple question may ask a participant to observe a set of words, and select one that is irrelevant to the others. In addition, the test may require one to solve a word problem by utilizing various algebraic and geometric techniques.

Abbreviated, unofficial versions of the test are available online. While these tests are not nearly as complex as the original Wonderlic test nor authorized by Wonderlic, they follow many of the same concepts.

A simplified and condensed version of the Wonderlic test appears in newer editions of the Madden NFL video game series. The Madden version of the test plays a major role during the "Superstar" portion of the game, to add a deeper sense of realism to the game. The questions usually consist of basic math and English questions, like "If LaDainian Tomlinson rushes for 125 yards in a game, how many yards will he have at the end of the season if he keeps up with this pace?" or "Which is the most like the synonym of Brightness?" Players have four answers to choose from when taking the Wonderlic test.

Average scores for other professions

While an average football player usually scores around 20 points, Wonderlic, Inc. claims a score of at least 10 points suggests a person is literate. Furthermore, when the test was given to miscellaneous people of various occupations, it was observed that the average participant scored a 24. Examples of scores from everyday professions include:^{[citation needed]}

• Chemist – 31
• Programmer – 29
• Journalist – 26
• Sales – 24
• Bank teller – 22
• Clerical worker – 21
• Security guard – 17
• Warehouse worker – 15

Use in the NFL Combine

Though used in a variety of institutions, the Wonderlic test has become best known for its use in the NFL's Scouting Combine, its pre-draft assessments of prospective football players. According to Paul Zimmerman's The New Thinking Man's Guide to Pro Football, examples of average scores for each position are:

• Offensive tackle – 26
• Center – 25
• Quarterback – 24 (Most teams want at least 21 for a quarterback.)
• Guard – 23
• Tight end – 22
• Safety – 19
• Linebacker – 19
• Cornerback – 18
• Wide receiver – 17
• Fullback – 17
• Halfback – 16

High scores

Pat McInally of Harvard is the only football player to record a confirmed perfect score of 50. (He took the test again in 2007 and "...missed one. Not a bad score after six concussions.") Boston College graduate Mike Mamula reportedly scored 49. Ryan Fitzpatrick, also a Harvard graduate and currently a quarterback with the Buffalo Bills, scored 48 in nine minutes. As of 2005, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kevin Curtis of Utah State was reported to be tied with Fitzpatrick and Benjamin Watson of Georgia and the Cleveland Browns, with their 48 the highest Wonderlic score of active NFL players. In 2011, New York Jets quarterback Greg McElroy of Alabama was believed to have scored 48, but it was quickly discovered that he only scored a still impressive 43.

Predictor of success in the NFL

John P. Lopez of Sports Illustrated proposes a 26-27-60 rule to predict a quarterback's success in the NFL: At least a 26 on the Wonderlic, at least 27 college starts, and at least 60% pass completion, and lists several examples of successes and failures based on the rule.

On the other hand, some well-known players have scored low on the test. Dan Marino scored a 16 and Vince Young also scored a 16 on the test his second try, after sources confirmed his previously reported score of six to be erroneous. A 2005 study by McDonald Mirabile found that there is no significant correlation between Wonderlic scores and a quarterback's passer rating, and no significant correlation between Wonderlic scores and a quarterback's salary. Similarly, a 2009 study by Brian D. Lyons, Brian J. Hoffman, and John W. Michel found that Wonderlic test scores failed to positively and significantly predict future NFL performance for any position.

The Lyons study also found that the relationship between Wonderlic test scores and future NFL performance was negative for a few positions, indicating the higher a player scores on the Wonderlic test, the worse the player will perform in the NFL. Mike Florio of Profootballtalk.com observes that

scoring too high can be as much of a problem as scoring too low. Football coaches want to command the locker room. Being smarter than the individual players makes that easier. Having a guy in the locker room who may be smarter than every member of the coaching staff can be viewed as a problem — or at a minimum as a threat to the egos of the men who hope to be able when necessary to outsmart the players, especially when trying in some way to manipulate them.

McInally, whom the Cincinnati Bengals selected in the fifth round of the 1975 NFL Draft, believes that his perfect score caused him to be selected later than he would have otherwise; George Young told McInally that his score "cost [him] a couple of rounds."

External links

• Official site
• New Test in 2007 Press Release
• ESPN article with sample questions
• Sports Illustrated article