The differential aptitude test (dat)

The differential aptitude test (dat)

1. The Differential Aptitude Test (DAT),

2. DAT The Differential Aptitude Test (DAT), first published in 1947 by The Psychological Corporation, is a battery of tests whose goal is to assess multiple separate aptitudes of students and adults. The latest (fifth) version of the DAT, published in 1990. GEORGE K. BENNET HAROLD G. SEASHORE ALEXANDER G. WESMAN

3. ~ Differential Aptitude Tests ~ Designed to measure an individual's ability to learn or to succeed in a number of different areas such as mechanical reasoning, verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and space relations. Verbal Reasoning Numerical Ability Abstract Reasoning Mechanical Reasoning Language Usage

4. Why we do the DATs? Help students to choose educational and career options on the basis of strengths and weaknesses. Help students to understand better why they do well/poorly in some subjects. Broaden student’s horizons by suggesting new and expanded career options consistent with tested abilities. Raise the level of occupational aspirations or change their direction. Motivate an underachiever by identifying strengths that were unrecognised or underestimated. Supplementing existing achievement data to facilitate admission to educational courses or apprenticeships. For the experience , some courses/careers have similar type tests.

5. Aptitude Tendency Natural Ability Readiness to Learn Personal Strengths/Weaknesses

6. What is Measured? Verbal Reasoning Numerical Reasoning Abstract Reasoning Perceptual Speed and Accuracy Mechanical Reasoning Space Relations Spelling Language Usage {Educational Aptitude}

7. Verbal Reasoning This test measures the ability to reason with words and to think logically. Important for work involving communicating ideas or understanding written material. Highly important in academic courses. Sample Careers/courses; Law, Journalism, Social Work, Arts, European Studies, Media, P.R., Advertising, Education…. Sample subjects; English, History, Languages….

8. Verbal Reasoning ..… is to water as eat is to ….. continue ----- drive foot ----- enemy drink ----- food girl ----- industry drink ----- enemy ..... is to night as breakfast is to ….. supper ----- corner gentle ----- morning door ----- corner flow ----- enjoy supper ----- morning ….. is to one as second is to ….. A. two ----- middle B. first ----- fire C. queen ----- hill D. first ----- two E. rain ----- fire Differential Aptitude Test (DAT)

9. Numerical Reasoning Measures the ability to reason with numbers and to deal intelligently with quantitative measures. In order to ensure that the reasoning rather than the computational facility is stressed, the computational level of the problem is low. Sample careers/courses; Finance, Science, Accounting, Banking, Architecture, Engineering…. Sample subjects; Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Maths, Accounting, Economics….

10. Numerical Ability Add A. 8 30 B. 15 20 C. 16 D. 26 N. none of these Add A. 14 13 B. 16 12 C. 25 D. 59 N. none of these Differential Aptitude Test (DAT)

11. Abstract Reasoning Non-Verbal/Non-Numerical measure of reasoning power. It assesses how well one can reason with geometric figures or designs. Sample careers/courses; Engineer, Doctor, Scientist, Musician, Software Design, Teacher, Computer Programmer, Mechanic, Management… Sample Subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Music, History, Art…

12. Abstract Reasoning PROBLEM FIGURES ANSWER FIGURES A B C D E Differential Aptitude Test (DAT )

13. Abstract Reasoning (cont.) PROBLEM FIGURES ANSWER FIGURES A B C D E Differential Aptitude Test (DAT )

14. Perceptual Speed & Accuracy Measures the ability to compare and mark written lists quickly and accurately. Test items do not call for reasoning skills the emphasis is on speed. Important for scientific or technical work where precision is necessary. Sample careers/courses; I.T. Lab. Technician, Office Administration, Surgeon, Forensics….. Sample subjects; Important in all subjects but the main challenge occurs at examinations.

15. Example: The following list is given to the student. The list is then repeated on the answer sheet. The student is instructed to mark off the underlined combination on a separate answer sheet. A : AB AC AD Ae AF B : aA aB Ba BA Bb C : A7 7A B7 7B AB

16. Mechanical Reasoning Measures the ability to understand basic mechanical principles of machinery, tools and motion, and the laws of everyday physics Sample careers/courses; Engineer, Mechanic, Electrician, Technician, Science, Product Design… Sample subjects; Physics, Applied Maths…

17. Mechanical Reasoning Which weighs more? (If equal, mark C.) A B Differential Aptitude Test (DAT)

18. Space Relations Measures the ability to visualise a three-dimensional object from a two-dimensional pattern and to visualise how this object would look if rotated in space. Sample careers/ courses; Art, Design, Architecture, Engineering, Carpentry, Dentistry, Photography, Fashion Design…. Sample subjects; Art, Home Economics, Technical Graphics…

19. Space Relations A B C D Differential Aptitude Test (DAT)

20. Spelling Measures ability to spell common English words. This is a basic skill necessary in many academic and vocational pursuits, especially in courses requiring written reports.

21. Example: Which word is not spelled correctly? A: cycle B :gurl C :arrow D :wrote

22. Language Usage Measures the ability to detect errors in grammar, punctuation and capitalization. Sample careers/ courses; Writing, Teaching and almost all University courses. Sample subjects; All subjects, all exams Language Usage and Spelling are included in the DAT because the skills they measure are important in so many areas of education and work.

23. Example Jason and Carl / will be mowing / the lawn / this Weekend A B C D E No error

24. Educational Aptitude Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning combined. This score provides the best general measure of educational aptitude or the ability to learn from books and Teachers and to perform well in academic subjects.

25. Subject Choice Your choice of subjects should include those subjects; Which are required/necessary to get into your intended course(s) or career. Which you are interested in and prepared to work at… a particular grade at a particular level may be required. Which suit your particular strengths and talents. Which will help you to gain sufficient points to get into your chosen course.

26. SCORING These two systems are referred to as, Percentiles Stanine

27. Percentile A percentile score indicates the percentage of candidates who fall below a particular raw score. A score, which falls at the 65th percentile, means that an individual’s score is better than 65% of the students

28. Stanine Stanine scores is a range expressed as a series of single digits numbers between 1 and 9 4 to 6 represents an average score.

29. Percentile scores can be used in conjunction with stanine score as outlines below. Stanine Percentile Very high 9 97 and above Above averages 8 90-96 7 78-89 Average 6 59-77 5 42-58 4 23-40 Below average 3 12-22 2 5-11 Very low 1 4 and below

30. Avoid these ideas! None of my friends are doing that subject; so I’m not doing it. Only boys do well in that. If I don’t do it for L.C. then I can’t do it in college. Doing 8 subjects will give me a better chance/more options. I’m already good at it so I will not need to do much work.

31. Determination to succeed  Enthusiasm and confidence  Energy to work long hours to achieve objectives  Determination to identify and find solutions to problems  Integrity, loyalty, and honesty  Commercial and entrepreneurial instinct  Initiative, creativity, and inventiveness  Ability to persuade and motivate others  Team spirit  Leadership  Ability to help others succeed  Empathy  Forward planning  Refusal to accept defeat  Int rapersonal skills  Int erpersonal skill Remember aptitude tests do not measure many other qualities that are vital in successful careers such as,

32. Success is not about how smart you are, but how are you smart*! * and it is not usually measurable by a test.

33. Questions