... I was curious how ADD affects measurable IQ and, as a result, the impact it really has on performance. I know everyone has their own "base" IQ that is impaced by the effects of ADD; some people with a higher normal IQ may cope with ADD better than those with lower numbers, which is pretty common knowledge.

I decided to take an IQ test when I knew the adderall wasn't working. I knew because I could not focus or think clearly and got "bored" and frustrated with certain questions that required a bit of thought.

I retook the test about an hour and a half after taking adderall to test my theory, and also because I thought it wasn't working anymore.

With the increase in focus and a more "clear" head, the second test improved by 12 points, not quite a standard deviation (which is 16). I know this isn't really a scientific test, but it does demonstrate the cosistency on real IQ tests I got when the ADD wasn't an issue due to whatever "protective" effect the OSA was having.

Any similar experiences? This is one reason why I don't want to take the Stanford-Binet unmedicated, as my score may be artificially low.

Don't know. But if anything I'd say you'd have seen an increase in your score had you done the test medicated first, then unmedicated.

Don't know. But if anything I'd say you'd have seen an increase in your score had you done the test medicated first, then unmedicated.It wasn't the same questions. It intrigues me that the increase is almost an entire sd, which is somewhat significant.

if its the same tests, then the data cant really be all that conclusive, you've already thought out the questions the first time, now its just recalling memory. and I do beleive time is a factor in the test (correct me if I'm wrong) so that might explain the jump

You know, the whole IQ thing has always bothered me. What I consider smarts is the ability to read a book, accept it as truth and do what you learned. Intelligence is the ability to take all the things you've learned and produce something. Whether it's a poem, a work of architecture, a painting, or a scientific experiment. Too many folk are bad at connecting the dots. That's one of the advantages of the adhd, I'm always connecting all of the information I receive to the rest of what I've learned. It allows me to see deeper, and devise very creative and intuitive solutions.

I do not think ADD makes any one less intelligent however I can see where treating the ADD may enable one to express it on some thing like an IQ test more effectively via increased score.

I think that ADHD affects quality of life more than anything else. I truly don't think that it changes intelligence. I do however believe that it changes one's potential also. I think the only way to do a "test" as the OP is suggesting, is to use two different IQ test, and do them with a large time period between tests (because face it, the IQ tests have very similar types of questions). Anyhow, I do believe that someone would generally do a bit better medicated, but not a significant amount better (just my opinion).

If one is really interested in the IQ test, then it probably won't make a major difference whether or not one is medicated (provided that that "interest" stays very high throughout). IQ tests can be studied for in a sense (in generality, not necessarily specific questions), so I'm not all that confident in their ability to measure "intelligence".

IQ tests were originally developed to measure future academic potential. I don't think it does this very well though either.