Introducing AMEX: The Advanced Measurement of English Exam

Today, OpenIQ is releasing the Advanced Measurement of English Exam (AMEX), a significant step forward in accessible, high-fidelity verbal assessment. Designed for native English-speaking adults, AMEX combines 8 distinct subtests and approximately 240 meticulously selected items to deliver an exceptionally precise and informative profile of verbal ability.

AMEX moves beyond single IQ estimates, offering a nuanced view through three composite scores: General Verbal IQ (GVIQ), Crystallized Intelligence Index (CII), and Verbal Reasoning Index (VRI). This granular approach provides a richer understanding of individual cognitive strengths within the verbal domain.

"AMEX represents our commitment to blending proven psychometric principles with modern assessment techniques, making truly comprehensive verbal testing freely available."

Built on a foundation of adapted high-difficulty items from historical GRE verbal sections and newly developed subtests, AMEX demonstrates robust psychometric properties based on research data (N=46 native English adults, mean age 28.0). Key metrics include high validity (GVIQ correlation with external verbal scores: r = .818, n=20), exceptional internal consistency (overall Cronbach's α = 0.981), and a strong general intelligence loading (estimated g ≈ 0.80, interpret with caution due to research sample characteristics).

AMEX Architecture: Subtests & Composites

The 90-minute AMEX assessment comprises 8 timed subtests targeting different facets of verbal ability:

• Synonyms (9 min): Vocabulary breadth.
• Ambiguities (15 min): Discerning dual word meanings.
• General Knowledge (8 min): Factual recall.
• Sentence Completion (12 min): Contextual inference.
• Antonyms (9 min): Opposite meanings.
• Analogies (15 min): Abstract relationships.
• Word Retrieval (12 min): Lexical access speed/accuracy.
• Word Matching (10 min): Semantic categorization.

These subtests combine to form three key composite scores, offering a layered view of verbal intelligence:

• General Verbal IQ (GVIQ): The primary index reflecting overall verbal proficiency, derived from all 8 subtests. Highly correlated with general intelligence ('g').
• Crystallized Intelligence Index (CII): Measures acquired knowledge, vocabulary depth, and semantic memory (Synonyms, Gen. Knowledge, Antonyms, Word Retrieval).
• Verbal Reasoning Index (VRI): Assesses fluid verbal reasoning and the ability to manipulate verbal information logically (Ambiguities, Sent. Completion, Analogies, Word Matching).

While CII and VRI measure distinct constructs, they are strongly interrelated, reflecting the interplay between knowledge and reasoning in verbal tasks (research sample correlation r = .930).

Item Heritage & Modern Scoring

AMEX's quality stems from its dual-source item pool. Three foundational subtests (Antonyms, Sentence Completion, Analogies) utilize items adapted from the notoriously challenging verbal sections of pre-2002 GRE forms, preserving their rigor.

Complementing these, five subtests (Synonyms, Ambiguities, General Knowledge, Word Retrieval, Word Matching) were developed in-house by OpenIQ, following contemporary psychometric standards to ensure a balanced and comprehensive assessment. (Note: Two research items, Ambiguities #4 and Word Retrieval #29, were removed post-testing due to flaws, resulting in ~238 final items).

Scoring involves converting raw subtest performance to Scaled Scores (Mean=35, SD=7). These are then summed to derive composite SoSS (Sum of Scaled Scores), which are mapped to standard IQ scores (Mean=100, SD=15) via detailed norm tables. View norm details here (link placeholder).

AMEX delivers a multi-layered score profile.

Understanding Your AMEX Profile

Your AMEX report offers a detailed diagnostic of your verbal landscape:

• GVIQ: Your global verbal intelligence estimate.
• CII vs. VRI: Highlights relative strengths – is your foundation stronger in accumulated knowledge (CII) or active reasoning (VRI)?
• Subtest Scaled Scores: Pinpoint specific skill areas (e.g., vocabulary range, semantic reasoning speed, logical inference) within the broader verbal domain.

AMEX empowers self-discovery and targeted development. While psychometrically robust, it's intended for informational use, not as a substitute for professional clinical evaluations.

Experience AMEX Today

The Advanced Measurement of English Exam is now live on the OpenIQ platform. We invite you to take the test and gain a deeper understanding of your unique verbal cognitive architecture.

Your participation directly contributes to refining the norms and enhancing the precision of AMEX for all users. We welcome feedback on the test experience via our contact channels.

Advancing Verbal Assessment

The launch of AMEX underscores OpenIQ's dedication to providing scientifically rigorous, yet accessible, cognitive measurement tools. By integrating carefully selected historical items with modern psychometrics and a detailed reporting structure, AMEX offers unprecedented insight into the multifaceted nature of verbal intelligence. Explore your potential with AMEX.