The Preschool Embedded Figures Test (PEFT), based partly on the Children's Embedded Figures Test, is a measure of field independence, or analytic functioning. It is intended to investigate the development of psychological differentiation in children as young as age three. The PEFT contains 27 black and white drawings (3 practice drawings and 24 test drawings), in each of which a simple equilateral triangle is embedded. The child is presented a card on which is printed a small triangle and is shown how to trace his fingers along the edges of the triangle. The child is then shown three practice figures in which the triangle is embedded and is asked to indicate the triangle and to run his/her fingers along its side. The child is given the three practice items a maximum of three times; if he/she does not get at least two items correct on the second or third trial, the regular test items are not administered. In the test proper, the child is allowed two attempts per item in a maximum of 30 seconds. The test is considered difficult to administer. Responses and response times are recorded for scores. Testers found it quite difficult to hold the attention of many younger children with this test. The total score measure was found to be sensitive to age, sex, and SES differences in both years. Data from the latency measure was not very informative, and it is recommended that the timing of responses be dropped except where there is a particular need. Evidence was found for the changing meaning of the task from Year 1 to Year 2; Year 1 correlations were highest with verbal measures, while Year 2 correlations were highest with more perceptual tasks. Conclusive evidence concerning validity was not found. (For related documents, see TM 003 174-190, 192-198.) (Author/KM)