Chapter 9 Aptitude Testing Robert J. Drummond and Karyn Dayle Jones Assessment Procedures for Counselors and Helping Professionals, 6 th edition Copyright

Chapter 9Chapter 9Aptitude TestingAptitude Testing

Robert J. Drummond and Karyn Dayle JonesAssessment Procedures for Counselors and Helping Professionals, 6th editionCopyright ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.

Aptitude Tests and AchievementAptitude Tests and Achievement

What I am capable of and what I have What I am capable of and what I have accomplished are related, but they are accomplished are related, but they are not the same thing.not the same thing.


3 Types of Ability Measures3 Types of Ability Measures

IntelligenceIntelligence Measures general ability, or potential for performance in a broad Measures general ability, or potential for performance in a broad

range of tasksrange of tasks AptitudeAptitude

Measures specific ability or abilities, or potential for performance Measures specific ability or abilities, or potential for performance in a specific task or tasksin a specific task or tasks

AchievementAchievement Measure of how much you have learnedMeasure of how much you have learned

All highly interrelatedAll highly interrelated Intelligence affects how much you learnIntelligence affects how much you learn Aptitudes can be seen as parts of intelligenceAptitudes can be seen as parts of intelligence Achievement can be used to predict future performanceAchievement can be used to predict future performance


Aptitude TestsAptitude Tests Measures the individual’s capacity or potential for Measures the individual’s capacity or potential for

performing a given skill or task.performing a given skill or task.

Used to predict behavior—will the individual be Used to predict behavior—will the individual be successful in a given educational program, vocational successful in a given educational program, vocational program, or occupational situation?program, or occupational situation?

Measures a number of relatively broad ability areas such Measures a number of relatively broad ability areas such as verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, mechanical as verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, mechanical reasoning, and abstract reasoning.reasoning, and abstract reasoning.


Aptitude TestsAptitude Tests

Frequently the skills measured are related to intelligence, Frequently the skills measured are related to intelligence, but they don’t have to be.but they don’t have to be.

Also think of aptitudes in athletic ability, music, art, horse trainingAlso think of aptitudes in athletic ability, music, art, horse training

Basically, anything you can do or have an aptitude for Basically, anything you can do or have an aptitude for could have a test designed to measure it.could have a test designed to measure it.

Welding, mediation, teaching, typing, etc.Welding, mediation, teaching, typing, etc.

Hundreds of different aptitude tests have been designed Hundreds of different aptitude tests have been designed to measure specific aptitudes for various occupations.to measure specific aptitudes for various occupations.

An applicant for a truck-driving position may have to take a An applicant for a truck-driving position may have to take a driving testdriving test


Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)(ASVAB)

First developed in 1966First developed in 1966 Helps test-takers assess aptitudes, predict performance in Helps test-takers assess aptitudes, predict performance in

academic and occupational areas, and make tentative career academic and occupational areas, and make tentative career choiceschoices

Grades 11 and higherGrades 11 and higher Military gives 2 million + each year in high school for vocational Military gives 2 million + each year in high school for vocational

planningplanning Scores used to make assignments in militaryScores used to make assignments in military


Differential Aptitude Test Battery (DAT)Differential Aptitude Test Battery (DAT)

Used to identify candidates for hiring, training, and career Used to identify candidates for hiring, training, and career development in any organizational setting development in any organizational setting

Originally developed in 1947Originally developed in 1947 Grade 7-12 and adultsGrade 7-12 and adults


The DAT assesses six key areas directly related The DAT assesses six key areas directly related to successful job performance:to successful job performance:

1.1. Abstract ReasoningAbstract Reasoning: : A non-verbal measure of reasoning ability. It A non-verbal measure of reasoning ability. It involves the ability to think logically and to perceive relationships in involves the ability to think logically and to perceive relationships in abstract figure patterns. abstract figure patterns.

2.2. Language UsageLanguage Usage: : Designed to measure the ability to detect errors Designed to measure the ability to detect errors in grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. The items reflect in grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. The items reflect present-day formal writing and the ability to use English properly.present-day formal writing and the ability to use English properly.

3.3. Mechanical ReasoningMechanical Reasoning: : Measures the ability to understand basic Measures the ability to understand basic mechanical principles of machinery, tools, and motion. The items mechanical principles of machinery, tools, and motion. The items represent simple principles that involve reasoning rather than represent simple principles that involve reasoning rather than specialized knowledge or training. specialized knowledge or training.


4.4. Numerical AbilityNumerical Ability: : Designed to test an individual's understanding Designed to test an individual's understanding of numerical relationships and facility in handling numerical of numerical relationships and facility in handling numerical concepts. It measures the ability to understand and work with ideas concepts. It measures the ability to understand and work with ideas related to numbers. related to numbers.

5.5. Space RelationsSpace Relations: : Measures the ability to visualize a three-Measures the ability to visualize a three-dimensional object from a two-dimensional pattern and to visualize dimensional object from a two-dimensional pattern and to visualize how this object would look if rotated in space. It assesses the ability how this object would look if rotated in space. It assesses the ability to “think in three dimensions.”to “think in three dimensions.”

6.6. Verbal ReasoningVerbal Reasoning: : Designed to measure the ability to understand Designed to measure the ability to understand concepts framed in words. It measures the ability to find concepts framed in words. It measures the ability to find commonalities among different concepts and to manipulate ideas commonalities among different concepts and to manipulate ideas on an abstract level. It assesses both an individual's knowledge and on an abstract level. It assesses both an individual's knowledge and abstract thinking ability. abstract thinking ability.


General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB)General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB)

One of the most widely used batteries for assessment in One of the most widely used batteries for assessment in vocational/employment counselingvocational/employment counseling

Grades 9 to AdultGrades 9 to Adult


The GATB measures 9 aptitudes: The GATB measures 9 aptitudes:

1.1. General Learning Ability: The ability to “catch on” or understand General Learning Ability: The ability to “catch on” or understand instructions and underlying principles; the ability to reason and instructions and underlying principles; the ability to reason and make judgments. Closely related to doing well in school.make judgments. Closely related to doing well in school.

2.2. Verbal Aptitude: The ability to understand the meaning of words and Verbal Aptitude: The ability to understand the meaning of words and to use them effectively; the ability to comprehend language, to to use them effectively; the ability to comprehend language, to understand the relationships between words, and to understand understand the relationships between words, and to understand meanings of whole sentences and paragraphs.meanings of whole sentences and paragraphs.

3.3. Numerical Aptitude: The ability to perform arithmetic operations Numerical Aptitude: The ability to perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately.quickly and accurately.

4.4. Spatial Aptitude: The ability to think visually of geometric forms and Spatial Aptitude: The ability to think visually of geometric forms and to comprehend the two-dimensional representation of three-to comprehend the two-dimensional representation of three-dimensional objects; the ability to recognize the relations resulting dimensional objects; the ability to recognize the relations resulting from the movement of objects in space.from the movement of objects in space.


5.5. Form Perception: The ability to perceive pertinent details in objects Form Perception: The ability to perceive pertinent details in objects or in pictorial or graphic material; the ability to make visual or in pictorial or graphic material; the ability to make visual comparisons and discriminations and see slight differences in comparisons and discriminations and see slight differences in shapes and shadings of figures and widths and lengths of lines.shapes and shadings of figures and widths and lengths of lines.

6.6. Clerical Perception: The ability to perceive pertinent detail in verbal Clerical Perception: The ability to perceive pertinent detail in verbal or tabular material; the ability to observe differences in copy, to or tabular material; the ability to observe differences in copy, to proofread words and numbers, and to avoid perceptual errors in proofread words and numbers, and to avoid perceptual errors in arithmetic computation. A measure of speed of perception, which is arithmetic computation. A measure of speed of perception, which is required in many industrial jobs even when the job does not have required in many industrial jobs even when the job does not have verbal or numerical content.verbal or numerical content.

7.7. Motor Coordination: The ability to coordinate eyes and hands or Motor Coordination: The ability to coordinate eyes and hands or fingers rapidly and accurately in making precise movements with fingers rapidly and accurately in making precise movements with speed; the ability to make a movement response accurately and speed; the ability to make a movement response accurately and swiftly.swiftly.

8.8. Finger Dexterity: The ability to move the fingers and manipulate Finger Dexterity: The ability to move the fingers and manipulate small objects with the fingers rapidly and accurately.small objects with the fingers rapidly and accurately.

9.9. Manual Dexterity: The ability to move the hand easily and skillfully; Manual Dexterity: The ability to move the hand easily and skillfully; the ability to work with the hands in placing and turning motions.the ability to work with the hands in placing and turning motions.


Career Ability Placement Survey (CAPS)Career Ability Placement Survey (CAPS)

Used to assess for the majority of jobs and 14 occupational clustersUsed to assess for the majority of jobs and 14 occupational clusters Grade 7 to adult Grade 7 to adult CAPS consists of eight short (five-minute) tests CAPS consists of eight short (five-minute) tests


CAPSCAPS

1.1. Mechanical Reasoning: measures understanding of mechanical principlesMechanical Reasoning: measures understanding of mechanical principles

2.2. Spatial Relations: measures the ability to think and visualize in three Spatial Relations: measures the ability to think and visualize in three dimensionsdimensions

3.3. Verbal Reasoning: measures the ability to reason with wordsVerbal Reasoning: measures the ability to reason with words

4.4. Language Usage: measures recognition and use of proper grammar and Language Usage: measures recognition and use of proper grammar and punctuation punctuation

5.5. Word Knowledge: measures understanding of the meaning and precise Word Knowledge: measures understanding of the meaning and precise use of words use of words

6.6. Perceptual Speed and Accuracy : measures rapid and accurate Perceptual Speed and Accuracy : measures rapid and accurate perception of small detailsperception of small details

7.7. Manual Speed and Dexterity: measures rapid and accurate hand Manual Speed and Dexterity: measures rapid and accurate hand movement movement

8.8. Mathematical Ability: measures math ability Mathematical Ability: measures math ability


Admission TestsAdmission Tests

American College Testing Program (ACT) American College Testing Program (ACT) Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) Graduate School Admissions TestsGraduate School Admissions Tests Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Miller's Analogies Test (MAT)Miller's Analogies Test (MAT) Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)


Graduate Record ExamGraduate Record Exam(GRE)(GRE)

Claims to be a measure of general scholastic aptitudeClaims to be a measure of general scholastic aptitude

Required for entrance into most graduate school Required for entrance into most graduate school programsprograms

about 47% (master’s) to 63% (Ph.D.) of graduate schools about 47% (master’s) to 63% (Ph.D.) of graduate schools require it (another 24% recommend it)require it (another 24% recommend it)

Used in conjunction with GPA, letter of recommendation, etc.Used in conjunction with GPA, letter of recommendation, etc.


GREGRE General TestGeneral Test

4 sections, 3 that count and one experimental for 4 sections, 3 that count and one experimental for future test developmentfuture test development

• VerbalVerbal• QuantitativeQuantitative• Analytical WritingAnalytical Writing

Available only on computerAvailable only on computer Scores are reported as both standard scores with Scores are reported as both standard scores with

range from 200-800, a mean of 500, SD of 100, and range from 200-800, a mean of 500, SD of 100, and as percentilesas percentiles

Subject tests in 16 areas, paper and pencil onlySubject tests in 16 areas, paper and pencil onlyRobert J. Drummond and Karyn Dayle JonesAssessment Procedures for Counselors and Helping Professionals, 6th editionCopyright ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.

GREGRE

Reliability is goodReliability is good Verbal and Quantitative in low 90sVerbal and Quantitative in low 90s

Validity is moderateValidity is moderate Predictive validity for graduate school grades Predictive validity for graduate school grades

is moderate at bestis moderate at best


Achievement TestingAchievement Testing

By far the most widely used category of ability tests due to their By far the most widely used category of ability tests due to their heavy use in the school systemheavy use in the school system

Current debate at the national level over the use of standardized Current debate at the national level over the use of standardized achievement testing in the schoolsachievement testing in the schools

There are a variety of standardized achievement tests used in There are a variety of standardized achievement tests used in school to make comparisons with other school districts, states, etc.school to make comparisons with other school districts, states, etc.


Types of Achievement TestsTypes of Achievement Tests

Survey achievement batteriesSurvey achievement batteries Criterion-referenced testsCriterion-referenced tests Minimum-level skills testsMinimum-level skills tests Subject-area testsSubject-area tests Individual achievement testsIndividual achievement tests Diagnostic testsDiagnostic tests


Factors That Affect Achievement Test Results Factors That Affect Achievement Test Results

Grade levelGrade level Number of years at current schoolNumber of years at current school AgeAge Out-of-school experienceOut-of-school experience Health and nutritionHealth and nutrition Self-conceptSelf-concept Socioeconomic levelSocioeconomic level School environmentSchool environment Test contentTest content Test administrationTest administration


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Chapter 9 Aptitude Testing Robert J. Drummond and Karyn Dayle Jones Assessment Procedures for Counselors and Helping Professionals, 6 th edition Copyright