“I Got Every Answer Right”? What Trump’s Cognitive Test Buzz Really Tells Us About IQ (And What It Doesn’t)

In a headline grabbing attention this week, President Donald Trump told reporters: “I got every answer right.” He was referring to a cognitive test taken during his annual physical, and the full report is set to be released this Sunday.

Naturally, this stirred public interest. What is a cognitive test? Can you really “ace” one? And does getting all the answers right mean someone has genius-level intelligence?

As a licensed educational psychologist who specializes in cognitive assessments, I’d like to offer some clarity. Real cognitive testing is far more nuanced than what headlines suggest. It isn’t about passing or failing, and it certainly isn’t a competition. Let’s break it down—using humor, science, and a bit of truth-telling.

What Is Cognitive Testing, Anyway?

Cognitive testing is a standardized way to understand how your brain works. It’s not about what you know (that’s academic achievement), but how you reason, remember, problem-solve, process, and organize information.

Most comprehensive assessments are built upon the CHC Theory—short for Cattell-Horn-Carroll Theory—a well-established model reflecting over 60–70 years of research into how human intelligence is structured.

Here are some key cognitive “muscles” we assess:

• Fluid Reasoning – Solving new, unfamiliar problems (no Googling allowed).

• Crystallized Intelligence – Knowledge from experience and language (like vocabulary).

• Working Memory – Holding and manipulating info in real time (mental math, anyone?).

• Long-Term Retrieval – Accessing stored information when needed.

• Processing Speed – Quickly performing simple tasks (like matching shapes or symbols).

• Auditory (Phonological) Processing – Decoding and manipulating sounds (vital for reading).

• Visual Processing – Understanding visual details, patterns, and spatial relationships.

These skills are commonly assessed using tools like the Wechsler Intelligence Scales (WISC-V, WAIS), Woodcock-Johnson IV, or the Stanford-Binet (SB-5).

While CHC theory is the most widely used model in cognitive testing, it’s not the only one. The PASS Theory (Planning, Attention, Simultaneous, and Successive processing) offers another approach. Each theory emphasizes different facets of cognition, but the goal is the same: understanding how your brain functions—not ranking your “smartness.”

So… What Is IQ, Really?

Let’s clear this up: IQ is not a measure of how much knowledge you’ve acquired.

While there’s no single, universally agreed-upon definition, psychologists typically describe intelligence (or cognitive ability) as: “The capacity to learn from experience, adapt to new situations, reason, and solve problems.”

That means someone with little formal education can have a high IQ, and someone with multiple degrees might not score as high on a cognitive test. IQ focuses on mental efficiency, not memorized facts.

In most IQ tests, the average score is 100, with a typical range from 85 to 115. Here's what those scores generally indicate:

• 100 = Average

• 130+ = Gifted (top ~2%)

• 160 = Exceptionally rare (~0.01%)

• Below 70 = In the range considered for Intellectual Disability

But here’s a critical point: A low IQ score alone does not determine a diagnosis. According to the DSM-5-TR, a diagnosis of Intellectual Disability also requires deficits in adaptive functioning—skills like self-care, communication, and daily living abilities. That’s why psychologists also use tools like the Vineland or ABAS to evaluate real-world functioning.

A Word About Online IQ Tests (and Headlines)

Let’s talk about those flashy “IQ tests” that promise results in five minutes—or public figures declaring they “got every answer right.”

Online IQ quizzes are not valid or reliable. They’re entertainment, not science.

Real cognitive testing is:

• Standardized

• Norm-referenced

• Administered by trained professionals

• Conducted under specific conditions

• Research-based

And even professional IQ tests aren’t perfect. They’ve been standardized mostly on Western, English-speaking populations, which means they may reflect cultural and racial biases. For example: Let’s say a test asks a child to define “scepter.” If that child hasn’t been exposed to Western fairy tales or medieval imagery, they might not know the word—not because of low intelligence, but due to limited cultural exposure.

That’s why interpretation matters—and why scores must always be considered in the context of an individual’s background, language, education, and lived experience.

So What Test Did Trump Likely Take?

If Sunday’s report is released as promised, it’s very likely Trump took a brief cognitive screener like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)—used to screen for early signs of dementia or cognitive decline.

These screeners ask basic questions like:

• What’s today’s date?

• Can you repeat these five words?

• Can you draw a clock showing 10 past 11?

They’re not IQ tests. And “getting every answer right” on a screener designed to flag impairment is very different from scoring high on a full-scale cognitive evaluation.

So when the media says, “Trump aced a cognitive test,” take a moment. Ask: What kind of test was it? What did it measure? And what does it really tell us?

Final Thoughts: Your Brain ≠ A Number

Cognitive testing is a powerful tool, but it’s just that—a tool. It helps us understand how someone thinks and learns, whether we’re identifying ADHD, giftedness, autism, learning differences, or emotional needs.

It’s not about showing off. It’s not about perfection. And it’s certainly not about “getting every answer right.”

At Dual Minds Psychology, I provide thoughtful, culturally informed assessments that go beyond numbers—to truly support growth, resilience, and well-being.

About the Author

Ryan Yam, Psy.D. - Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP4497) and founder of Dual Minds Psychology. Dr. Yam specializes in ADHD treatment, executive functioning skill development, and culturally sensitive care for children and adolescents.