In psychology there is a long tradition of separating intelligence (cognitive abilities) from physical abilities and personality. But what exactly is the difference?

Jensen might have claimed that the difference between an IP (item performance) showing ability (physical or mental) vs one showing personality, is the former requires a standard of proficiency. From The g Factor, page 51.

However an article in Scientific American states:

If what DeYoung is saying is true, how then do we distinguish between personality and cognition, if both can be measured using mental tests using an objective standard of proficiency?

After thinking about it for a while, I’ve decided that what distinguishes a cognitive test from a personality test or even a physical test, is that a cognitive test requires you to correctly answer questions using only your fine motor abilities (i.e. talking, writing, manipulating small objects with your hand) or some equivalent. All cognitive tests, whether verbal or performance, require you to answer questions correctly, whether by defining common words, showing how two jig-saw puzzle pieces fit together with your hands, or telling the examiner from memory what number sequence she just read.

Athletic tests also require you to give the right answer to questions (show me how how to dance) but unlike cognitive tests, you answer using gross-motor abilities instead of fine motor abilities. Personality tests, like IQ tests, require you to answer questions using only fine-motor skills like speech or writing (would you rather go to a party or read a book?) but unlike cognitive tests, those questions have no right answer.