TABLE 3.
Measures Included in 1960 Base Year Assessment in Project TALENT
| Aptitude and achievement testsa | |
|---|---|
| Information Test | Vocabulary, literature, social studies, mathematical concepts, physical sciences, biological sciences, aeronautics & space, health, electricity and electronics, mechanics, engineering, home economics, farming and ranching, sports, arts (395 items) |
| Memory for sentences | Long-term memory |
| Memory for words | Recognition ability; examines how well students memorize ‘foreign’ words corresponding to common English words |
| Disguised words | Ability to form connections between letters and sounds |
| English test | Ability to express oneself in English. 5 parts: spelling, capitalization, punctuation, English usage, and effective expression |
| Word functions in sentences | Understanding of grammatical structure, regardless of whether student has been formally instructed in the rules of grammar |
| Reading comprehension | Ability to comprehend written materials; designed to be a predictor of academic school success |
| Creativity | Ability to find ingenious and inventive solutions to practical problems |
| Mechanical reasoning | Ability to visualize the effects of physical principles and forces and how basic types of mechanisms work |
| Spatial visualization | Two tests assessing ability to visualize and rotate 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional objects |
| Abstract reasoning | Ability to reason about diagrams, figures, and patterns |
| Mathematics | Three tests: Arithmetic reasoning, Introductory concepts, Advanced concepts (geometry, trigonometry, introductory calculus) |
| Arithmetic computation | Tests speed and accuracy of students’ ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers |
| Table reading | Tests speed and accuracy of interpreting information in a table |
| Clerical checking | Tests speed and accuracy of determining whether pairs of names are identical |
| Object inspection | Tests speed and accuracy of noting differences in objects |
| Other scalesa | |
| Preference Test | Speed of decision making; goal was to locate individuals on a continuum from ‘snap judgments’ to ‘indecisive’(166 items) |
| Personality | sociability, social sensitivity, impulsiveness, vigor, calmness, tidiness, culture, leadership, self-confidence, and mature personality (150 items) |
| Screening Score | Test-taking seriousness; random responding (based on response patterns throughout assessment) |
| Student activities, interests and future expectations | |
| Scholastic | Grades, awards |
| Schooling history | Age began, transfers, courses taken |
| Current Activities | Involvement in clubs, hobbies, work, social, reading, studying |
| Vocational | Ratings of interest in 122 occupations and 82 related activities and careers |
| Plans for higher education | Seeking guidance, college plans, attitudes, finances |
| Career | Expectations, preferences for occupation & income; reasons |
| Military | Expectations, preferences |
| Marriage, Children | Expectations, preferences |
| Financial | Expected earnings |
| Student and family characteristics (reported by student) | |
| Physical health | Height, weight, general health, illness history, disabilities |
| Parents | Age, education, occupation |
| Family structure | Twin/multiple birth, # older and younger siblings, education of siblings |
| Family SES | Finances, housing characteristics, possessions (cars, appliances) |
| Family interests | Clubs, religious involvement, books and magazines, musical |
| Origins, ethnicity | Languages spoken, foreign birth, where lived previously |
| School and community characteristics (reported by school personnel) | |
| School | Type, size, facilities, class size, teacher and principal characteristics and training |
| Curriculum | Remedial/advanced programs, available extracurricular activities, courses offered |
| Student body | Ethnic composition,% students in college prep, vocational training; drop-out rates |
| Guidance programs | Program characteristics & activities, staff # and time, testing frequency & purpose, advising opportunities (higher educ., miliatry, occup.), life skills courses |
| Counseling | Counselor characteristics, training, attitudes |
| Community | Community SES, involvement in school, languages spoken, cultural & other activities available |
Note:
a
Scores available at scale level for entire sample; at item level for 4% of sample
Source: Flanagan et al., 1962