The intelligence of the Copts of Sudan: A test of norms validation

This study validated the Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM+) norms in the Sudanese context. A sample of Coptic Sudanese (n = 385, girls = 34.5%) and other Sudanese children (n = 1656, girls = 51.5%) aged between 7 and 10 took the SPM+. Reliability was acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.755 for the Copts). British Intelligence Quotient (IQ) norms scores from the SPM+ for the Copts were compared to those of the (North) Sudanese, controlling for age. The mean IQ of the Sudanese Copts was 88.92, while that of the other (North) Sudanese was 78.26. This difference is consistent with the higher socioeconomic gradient of the Copts both in Sudan and in various Arab countries, such as Egypt. The 10-point difference is approximately two-thirds of a standard deviation (10/15), and is not, therefore, clinically significant. These findings suggest a need for caution when using the SPM+ with Sudanese school children, and particularly non-Coptic (North) Sudanese.