Government Hiring Sees Renewed Debate on Meritocracy Amid Unsubstantiated IQ Test Claims

A recent social media post by user Crémieux has sparked discussion by asserting that governments are "reintroducing IQ tests for hiring," a move they claim signals "the end of credentialism and the return of meritocracy." The tweet, posted by Crémieux, stated, "I'm glad people are noticing that the government is REINTRODUCING IQ TESTS FOR HIRING. This signals the end of credentialism and the return of meritocracy. This has been in the works for a while. I wrote a bit about what's going to happen next in an article in March." However, comprehensive public records and recent government announcements do not widely substantiate a broad reintroduction of IQ tests for hiring across major governments in 2024 or 2025.

The concept of meritocracy, often defined as a system where advancement is based on ability and talent, has historically been linked to cognitive ability assessments like IQ tests. Proponents argue that such tests can objectively identify capable individuals, moving away from reliance on academic degrees or "credentialism." This debate has roots in early 20th-century psychometrics, which sought to quantify intelligence for various societal applications, including employment.

While some specialized tests exist, such as the NIEPID Indian Test of Intelligence developed in 2023 for assessing intelligence in children and for personnel selection in India, this does not indicate a global or widespread governmental policy shift. For instance, a March 2025 press release from India's Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions detailed reforms aimed at streamlining recruitment processes and expanding language options for exams, but made no mention of reintroducing IQ tests.

Historically, the use of IQ tests in employment has been contentious, facing legal challenges and criticism regarding cultural bias and their ability to predict job performance comprehensively. Many jurisdictions have moved towards skills-based assessments and structured interviews, which are seen as more equitable and job-relevant than traditional IQ tests. The ongoing discussion around "credentialism" versus "meritocracy" in hiring continues, but current public information does not support a broad governmental mandate to reintroduce IQ tests as a primary hiring tool.