WILL PRIOR EXPERIENCES HELP PREDICT APTITUDE TEST RESULTS?

摘要

Aptitude tests are often used as a predictor for more complex tasks. One of the most common aptitude test is the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) used to predict college performance. Another fairly common aptitude test is a mechanical aptitude test, which purports to measure ones mechanical ability. The most common of these ask students to determine what would happen if a particular set of circumstances were present, such as which direction would a particular gear turn in a system of gears. These responses are then used to determine if the student can mentally determine how physical objects operate. Similarly, an electrical aptitude test (EAT) would try to measure one's electrical ability. They would ask students to determine how electrical devices operate in different scenarios, or what may be wrong with a circuit if it is not working. This study is part of a larger project to determine hands on ability. Previous studies have concentrated only on final lab grade and a lab practical score. While the data on the electrical aptitude test was collected, the test itself has not been validated. In this project, each of the questions on the electrical aptitude test were themselves analyzed to determine if any one of them had a particular relationship to a particular prior experience, grades in the lab or on a lab practical, or an attitude. If the electrical aptitude test score was highly correlated with a known hands on ability measure, this could help validate the test constructed by the researchers. Identifying what prior experiences the students have had may also help determine the validity of the individual questions and lead to some idea about where hands on ability may come from- which is the ultimate goal of the project.