Auiting
Abstract Reasoning—Practice Test 1
Psychometric Success
Abstract
Reasoning
Practice Test 1
Authors:
Paul Newton
Helen Bristoll
Copyright www.psychometric-success.com
Page
Abstract Reasoning—Practice Test 1
T
he aptitudes and abilities measured by verbal and numeric reasoning tests can easily be related to real world tasks and jobs, as many jobs require some degree
of skill with words and numbers. Abstract reasoning tests on the other hand, seem to consist of questions which have little or no application in the real world. Yet these types of question appear in most graduate and management aptitude tests. Why is this? Abstract reasoning tests date back to the research done by the psychologist Charles
Spearman in the 1920’s. Spearman used a statistical technique called factor analysis to examine relationships between people’s scores on different types of intelligence tests. He concluded that people who do well on some intelligence tests also do well on others (e.g. vocabulary, mathematics, spatial abilities). Conversely, if people do poorly on an intelligence test, they also tended to do poorly on other intellectual tests. This led him to believe that there are one or more factors that are common to all intellectual tasks. As a result of this research Spearman developed a two-factor theory of intelligence.
s
Mechanical
s
Verbal
g
Numerical s s
Spatial
g - General Ability s - Specific Abilities
As the diagram shows, Spearman said that intelligence is mainly made up of ‘g’, with bright people having a lot, and dull people having less. Spearman defined ‘g’ as:
“the innate ability to perceive relationships and educe co-relationships”
Copyright www.psychometric-success.com
Page
Abstract Reasoning—Practice Test 1
If we replace the word ‘educe’ with ‘work out’ then you can see why abstract reasoning questions are seen to be a good measure of general intelligence, as they
Psychometric Success
Abstract
Reasoning
Practice Test 1
Authors:
Paul Newton
Helen Bristoll
Copyright www.psychometric-success.com
Page
Abstract Reasoning—Practice Test 1
T
he aptitudes and abilities measured by verbal and numeric reasoning tests can easily be related to real world tasks and jobs, as many jobs require some degree
of skill with words and numbers. Abstract reasoning tests on the other hand, seem to consist of questions which have little or no application in the real world. Yet these types of question appear in most graduate and management aptitude tests. Why is this? Abstract reasoning tests date back to the research done by the psychologist Charles
Spearman in the 1920’s. Spearman used a statistical technique called factor analysis to examine relationships between people’s scores on different types of intelligence tests. He concluded that people who do well on some intelligence tests also do well on others (e.g. vocabulary, mathematics, spatial abilities). Conversely, if people do poorly on an intelligence test, they also tended to do poorly on other intellectual tests. This led him to believe that there are one or more factors that are common to all intellectual tasks. As a result of this research Spearman developed a two-factor theory of intelligence.
s
Mechanical
s
Verbal
g
Numerical s s
Spatial
g - General Ability s - Specific Abilities
As the diagram shows, Spearman said that intelligence is mainly made up of ‘g’, with bright people having a lot, and dull people having less. Spearman defined ‘g’ as:
“the innate ability to perceive relationships and educe co-relationships”
Copyright www.psychometric-success.com
Page
Abstract Reasoning—Practice Test 1
If we replace the word ‘educe’ with ‘work out’ then you can see why abstract reasoning questions are seen to be a good measure of general intelligence, as they