What is Structure of Intellect (SOI)?
A plain-English guide for parents to the model of intelligence behind AïeLEAD’s cognitive skills programmes.
The short answer: Structure of Intellect (SOI) is a model of intelligence that looks at many separate learning abilities rather than a single IQ score. It identifies which abilities are strong and which need support, and those abilities can be trained.
Where SOI came from
During the Second World War, the US Air Corps found that some recruits with strong test scores and good health still struggled in training. Psychologist J.P. Guilford compared those who succeeded with those who didn’t, found clear differences in their intellectual abilities, and spent around two decades building a model of intelligence applied to learning.
Dr Mary Meeker later applied Guilford’s model to education, developing assessments and training materials that connect a learner’s cognitive profile with opportunities for development.
Why SOI goes beyond IQ
A single IQ score is too narrow. Two children with similar results can have very different strengths: one reads fluently but struggles to understand, another understands well but finds reading hard. SOI shows these differences, so parents and teachers can act on them.
How SOI helps children who struggle
Many difficulties come from a weakness in one specific skill, which can often be improved with training. For example, skipping letters or confusing similar words can relate to visual skills, and difficulty with maths problems can relate to problem-solving abilities.
You may also find these guides helpful: Why does my child forget everything? and Working hard but still struggling with maths?
How SOI helps bright and gifted children
Children who learn easily can still have uneven profiles, such as strong reading but weak number sense. Gifted learners may also face perfectionism, impatience or difficulty relating to peers. They deserve support to reach their potential too. Explore LEAD Soar for bright learners.
Find out how your child learns
The LEAD Discover assessment uses SOI to show your child’s strengths and the abilities that need support, explained in plain English.
Frequently asked questions
What does SOI stand for?
Structure of Intellect: a model of intelligence developed by psychologist J.P. Guilford and applied to education by Dr Mary Meeker.
Is SOI an IQ test?
No. Instead of one overall score, it looks at many separate learning abilities and shows which are strong and which need support.
Can learning abilities really be trained?
SOI is built on the idea that specific learning abilities can be developed with targeted practice. Progress varies between learners, and consistent practice matters.
Lara Khneisser is the founder of AïeLEAD and a Certified SOI Learning Specialist, with more than 20 years in education as a teacher, coordinator and school principal. Explore the SOI programme.
Talk to an SOI specialist
A free 30-minute call is the easiest first step.