Aptitude tests
Definition:
Psychological tests used to assess innate potential for learning.
Example:
An example of an aptitude test would be one which test our mechanical aptitude to see how likely someone would perform as an engineer if given the appropriate training.
Background:
Aptitude tests are used to measure a person's individual potential for acquiring specific skills. A vocational/career counsellor may use these kinds of tests to predict your "fit" for certain jobs. They can be used to predict what someone will be able to do in the future if provided with the right training and motivation.
Further Reading:
Anastasi, A. (1988). Psychological testing. (6th ed.) New York: MacMillan.
Related Terms:
Achievement tests
Self-Instructional Resource:
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