Differential Aptitude Test: its tests and characteristics.

A test focused on the evaluation of multiple aptitudes related to intelligence.

In the evaluation of intelligenceIn the evaluation of intelligence, we can distinguish two types of evaluation: that of global intelligence and that based on the evaluation of multiple aptitudes (different skills that make up intelligence).

In this article we will know the Differential Aptitude Test of Bennett, Seashore and Wesmanconsidered by many authors to be the first battery of multiple aptitudes in the history of psychological assessment, designed in 1947.

Differential Aptitude Test: characteristics

The Differential Aptitude Test (DAT) is a battery of tests of differential aptitudes (also called TAD), designed in 1947 by George K. Bennett, Harold G. Seashore and Alexander G. Wesman. It is one of the most widely used batteries of multiple aptitudes, and is considered by some authors to be the first to appear.and is considered by some authors to be the first to appear.

Subsequently, new revised and re-standardized forms were designed in 1962, giving rise to the L and M forms, then the S and T forms, and finally the DAT 5, the latest version of the DAT. DAT 5, the latest version.

Initially, the Test of Differential Aptitudes was designed for high school students. Nowadays it is frequently used for vocational and educational guidance processes.

Attitude could be defined as the ability to learn something.. The Differential Aptitude Test (DAT) measures the ability of students to learn or to perform effectively in a number of areas, as well as to assess the potential of a job candidate for the successful development of his or her profession.

Technical data

The original name of the test is Differential Aptitudes Test. Its application can be individual or collective. The duration is 120 minutes for the 1st section and 1150 minutes for the 2nd section, and its scope of application is from 12 years of age.

As for the material, it is made up of booklets, answer sheets, a pencil, scoring keys and a stopwatch..

Uses

The Differential Aptitudes Test is used to measure the capacity that a person possesses in different areas of his or her abilities; that is why it is considered a "power" test.

The aptitudes and skills it measures are the most important ones in many educational and vocational situations. in many educational and vocational situations.

What does it evaluate?

The purpose of the Differential Aptitude Test is to evaluate verbal, numerical, abstract, mechanical reasoning, spatial relationships, spelling, speed and perceptual accuracy.

Tests of the Test

The test is composed by 7 tests that make up the testeach of which is named after the factors mentioned above:

1. Verbal Reasoning (VR).

This test measures the person's ability to understand concepts formulated in words, as well as the capacity to understand concepts formulated in words, as well as the ability to abstract concepts or to generalize and think constructively. or generalize and think constructively.

In this test, the subject must choose among 5 words, the one that best completes the analogy. For example: "... is to right as west is to..."

2. Calculation (C)

Here is evaluated the understanding of numerical relationships and the ability to handle numerical concepts.. It provides a measure of the subject's ability to reason with numbers, handle numerical relationships and work with quantitative materials.

3. Abstract Reasoning (AR)

The purpose of this test is to evaluate the non-verbal part of reasoning ability. In this test, the subject must discover what principles govern the transformation of the figureand demonstrate that understanding by designating the diagram that should logically follow the series.

4. Mechanical Reasoning (MR)

This test has illustrations showing mechanical situations mechanical situations are shown, accompanied by a question asked in simple terms. The items are presented in terms of simple mechanisms frequently encountered in everyday life.

5. Spatial Relationships (SR)

It measures the subject's ability to deal with concrete materials by means of visualizations. The task is related to how certain objects would look if they were arranged and rotated..

6. Spelling and Language (O and L)

In this case, these two tests are more tests of performance than of aptitude. The scores here are divided into two (one for each test), but they are also considered as a whole, since they provide an estimate of a person's ability to distinguish between correct and incorrect use of language..

7. Perceptual Velocity or Perceptual Accuracy (VP)

The purpose of these tests is to evaluate the speed of the subject's response in a simple perceptual task.. The subject examined here should look at the combinations marked in the test booklet, and then look for the same combination in a group of several similar ones, printed on the answer sheet.

Considerations in its application

When administering the Differential Aptitude Test, three factors should be taken into account: proper planning of the test, correct timing and application in physical conditions suitable for the subject and the examiner.

On the other hand, the test can be administered in whole or in part. Therefore, the analysis of the scores can be carried out in the following way the analysis of the scores can be performed for each test separately.or by integrating the information resulting from the application of several or all of the subtests.