IQMindware

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Protocol and theory document

Applied Intelligence Test Validation

Applied intelligence test validation note for practical cognition progress checks.

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Applied Intelligence Test Validation

Measure

Psi-CBS is the Psi-Band Cognitive Bandwidth Scale used by IQMindware Tracker for applied cognition progress checks.

It is a brief self-report measure for tracking everyday cognitive performance over the previous two weeks. In IQMindware, it is used as a practical progress signal alongside objective reasoning snapshots and training completion data.

What the scale tracks

Psi-CBS is organised around applied cognitive bandwidth: whether a person can keep effective cognition inside a workable performance band during ordinary work, study, project, and AI-assisted contexts.

Current sections:

  • Psi-CBS Core: applied general intelligence, including focus stability, error resistance, active processing, and learning/transfer.
  • Psi-CBS-AD: optional cognitive health and resilience markers, focused on allostatic dysregulation and state-instability patterns.
  • Psi-CBS-AI: optional AI-use intelligence markers, focused on whether AI tool use helps or degrades cognitive performance and workflow quality.

Responses use a five-point frequency scale. Some core items are reverse-scored internally so higher scores consistently point toward better applied cognitive bandwidth.

Initial pilot validation

The initial pilot psychometric evaluation is published as a PsyArXiv/OSF preprint:

Public preprint metadata reports:

  • N = 23 respondents with complete Psi-CBS Core data.
  • The pilot evaluated the eight-item core scale.
  • The theorised core structure contained two correlated outcome factors:
  • focus stability and error resistance;
  • active processing and learning/transfer.
  • The analysis included item descriptives, inter-item correlations, KMO, Bartlett's test, exploratory factor analysis, and internal consistency estimates.
  • Results gave preliminary support for the intended two-factor structure.
  • Internal consistency was reported as acceptable to high for the two subscales and total score: alpha = .79, .89, and .86.
  • The preprint explicitly treats the findings as provisional because of the small pilot sample and possible strong general factor.

Current validation status

Psi-CBS is in active validation.

The pilot supports the intended structure and internal consistency of the Core scale, but the evidence base is still early. Larger samples, confirmatory factor analysis, test-retest work, sensitivity-to-change analysis, and convergent/discriminant validity studies are still needed.

This means Psi-CBS can be used as a practical tracking signal, but it should not be described as a fully validated diagnostic instrument.

Intended use

  • Progress checks every five IQMindware sessions.
  • Self-tracking of applied cognition trends.
  • Product and programme evaluation.
  • Aggregated research summaries with clear caveats.
  • Optional analysis of how AI-assisted work is affecting cognition and workflow quality.

Not intended for

  • Diagnosis.
  • Treatment decisions.
  • High-stakes selection or certification.
  • Claims that self-report change alone proves intelligence gain.
  • Claims that any single Psi-CBS score is a stable trait measure.

Interpretation caveats

  • Psi-CBS is self-report and therefore sensitive to context, mood, expectations, and recent workload.
  • Scores are most useful as repeated trend signals under similar testing conditions.
  • Core score changes should be interpreted alongside SgS-12 A/B, MFT-m, session completion, and training-route data.
  • Optional AD and AI sections provide pattern information, not clinical diagnosis.

Source reference

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