Skill IQ helps identify where you should begin learning in a given technology's path.
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Introduction to Skill IQ assessments
Skill IQ is how you can measure your proficiency in a technology skill. This measurement takes 10-15 minutes and approximately 20 questions to complete.
Important: Some assessments needed to get a Skill IQ may be marked as BETA. This means we're still collecting data for those skills in order to give you the most accurate Skill IQ. In order to receive a Skill IQ, you must take the skill assessment again once beta is removed.
Skill IQ levels
Pluralsight Iris is our skill assessment algorithm and recommendation engine. Each skill assessment includes an Iris Quotient (IQ) score.
Skill IQ is a continuous score from 0 to 300. This is based on your percentile in that skill area. Pluralsight's exclusive adaptive skill calculations work by measuring your technical abilities relative to the population of users that have taken that assessment. This doesn't measure your broad intelligence. Your percentile tells you how much more you know than others who have the same skill, on a scale from 0 to 100.
The Skill IQ 0 to 300 scale is broken into five ranges:
- Novice: 0–19th percentiles
- Emerging: 20th–39th percentiles
- Average: 40th–59th percentiles
- Above Average: 60th–79th percentiles
- Expert: 80th and higher percentiles
You'll get a skill level of Novice, Proficient Emerging, Proficient Average, Proficient Above Average, or Expert, depending on your Skill IQ results.
For example, if you receive a score of 104, you'll be in the 21st percentile of your peers. Your skill range will be Emerging and your skill level will be Proficient Emerging. All Skill IQ scores also include a date of verification that matches the date you completed the assessment.
Skill IQ accuracy
Iris has high levels of statistical accuracy. Please see our Iris frequently asked questions (opens in new tab), and Iris and the Skill IQ methodology (opens in new tab).
Questions are added regularly to our assessments from a large network of expert practitioners so that Iris is relevant and constantly evolving. The difficulty of the questions changes based on right or wrong answers given by all individuals who've taken a particular assessment. The tests are short and comprehensive because they're based on modern test theories, Bayesian statistics, and machine learning to model skills and find questions that match those skills.
Skill IQ path placement
Skill paths are structured into beginner, intermediate and advanced categories. Skill IQ provides a skill rating of 0–300, which falls into one of five levels: Novice, Proficient Emerging, Proficient Average, Proficient Above Average, and Expert.
Your skill level typically aligns with where in a path to start. For example, in the Above Average range of Proficient, you could start in the advanced section of a path. A Novice skill level will almost always suggest starting in the beginner section of a path.
Skill IQ vs certificates and badges
Skill IQ is a numeric assessment of your skill proficiency, whereas badges or certificates are given for course completion or activity points. Each Skill IQ measurement is built with high statistical significance by Pluralsight's content team and expert network, so you can trust the results.
Skill IQ vs vendor certifications
Skill IQ ratings aren't vendor certifications. The skill assessments are intended to measure your skill proficiency in specific areas. While this measurement can be used in combination with industry certifications, they're not intended to replace vendor certifications.
Skill assessments are less time-intensive and expensive than vendor certifications. This makes measuring your skill in a technology area more accessible. You can also remeasure your skill to keep your Skill IQ level current with your knowledge.
Skill IQ vs learning checks
Learning checks are focused on helping learners check their knowledge of course material and retention, and are best used as a learning aid. They can be retaken multiple times and are not timed.
Skill IQ looks at a skill in a much more holistic way, measuring the total level of the test-taker's skill compared to other professionals—helping them determine what skills to watch next to keep advancing. Skill IQ helps quantify skill level, determine what to watch to skill up, and validates growth along the learning journey.
Adding Skill IQ assessments to a channel
See Adding content to your channel for instructions on adding Skill IQ assessments to channels.
Note: When a channel includes a Skill IQ assessment, all members of the channel will see their own individual Skill IQ scores if they've taken the assessment. Otherwise, they'll see a Measure now button.
On a team plan, plan admins and team managers will be able to see individual skill levels and an average Skill IQ score for members of the channel. See Who can see my Skill IQ for details.
If you need help, please contact Pluralsight Support.