A Blind Learning Aptitude Test (BLAT) was developed on the basis of sense of touch rather than on conventional experience, fine sensory discrimination, or verbal competency. From a pool of about 350 items, most of them used in testing intelligence in the sighted, a pool of 94 was selected and embossed after the manner of braille. A residual pool…

Statistical, legal and moral problems involved in following the EEOC guidelines are described. The guidelines require separate data for minority and non-minority groups with differential cut off scores for aptitude tests which have a racial bias. Problems reviewed include: identification of racial bias in tests is difficult; giving one race an…

Naturally occurring aptitude-treatment interactions (ATI) were investigated with three teaching approaches: lecture-recitation, inquiry, and public issues discussion. When the measure of student performance was based on objectives of the approach, the results showed an ATI for ability X anxiety that was partially replicated across studies.…

Examines the validity of the cultural bias contention with respect to English aptitude tests by looking at test scores of Jewish and Arab students applying for admission to a college in Israel. Results show evidence for differential construct or predictive validity of test scores as a function of cultural group membership. (31 references)…

Sex differences in variability in the national norms of the Differential Aptitude Tests, Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/Scholastic Aptitude Test, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales, and California Achievement Tests were examined. Compared to females, males were consistently more variable in quantitative reasoning, spatial visualization,…

A brief description is presented of the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test (SweSAT), its content, and its use. The SweSAT has been used for college admission in Sweden since 1977. Some related research activities, including studies of sex differences, dimensionality, and effects of test coaching, are described. (SLD)

Several studies have shown that, on average, women perform slightly better than men on free-response tests, while men perform slightly better on multiple-choice tests. Two advanced placement examinations, United States History (USH) and European History (EH), were chosen for study because previous studies have shown that sex differences on the…

In 1989, North Carolina's scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) were the lowest in the nation, with a total score of 836 for North Carolina compared to 903 for the nation. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction developed a five-point plan to address this situation. The SAT results for 1990 show an increase for North Carolina to an…

To comply with the new U.S. Department of Education Ability-To-Benefit policy, schools need to select tests on the Secretary's approved list. The pertinent aspects of 22 approved tests are individually summarized. The test reviews are based on examinations of the test publishers' technical documentation and the tests. Information provided in the…

Comparisons of the University of Maryland (the University) with peer institutions are provided concerning characteristics of the student population, institutional resources, and financial resources and expenditure patterns. Findings include the following: part-time enrollment at the University accounts for a significantly higher proportion of…

Studies of sex differences in test performance have identified the content of test items, the context in which they are set, and the constructs purportedly underlying the item as important variables influencing performance. Test content often reflects experiences that traditional social roles have discouraged women from exploring. Often, the item…

An annotated bibliography on revenue producing sports is presented, with attention to: Proposition 48, exploitation of athletes, legal proceedings, research related to athletes and academic performance, psychological characteristics of athletes, and counseling programs for athletes. Introductions to each of the six topics are included. The section…

Test fairness or bias may be defined in many different ways, and the existence of possible bias is difficult to demonstrate. Sociolinguistic analysis may be used to check for fairness or bias in test directions, test content specifications, or test items. Four sociolinguistic principles are held to be relevant for this task: (1) pragmatics--that…

The overall objective of this study was to assist vocational teachers and administrators in assessing the vocational aptitudes of handicapped students by conceptualizing a model. Various parts of the model included identification of diagnostic tools and measures, the job matching process, and the development of the Individual Education Program.…

The effectiveness of the simulation-gaming method of instruction as opposed to the lecture-discussion method in teaching a college introductory economics course is examined. One hundred and twenty Ashland College freshmen were tested to determine their knowledge, interest, and training in economics; retention of knowledge seven weeks after the…