8.2 APTITUDE TESTS

8.2.1 Aptitude: Meaning

Aptitudes are correctly referred to as science, literature as the latent potentialities or skills. They can be converted into special skills. The potentiality of clerical aptitude may be trained further to write exams in lAS and IPS cadres or in Group I or II services.

8.2.2 Aptitude : Definitions

A.E. Traxler has defined .aptitude in this way -

“Aptitude is a present condition ‘which is indicative of an individual’s potentialities for the future.”

Super too has mentioned tour characteristics of an aptitude. These are:

(i)                 Specificity

(ii)               Unitary Composition

(iii)              Facilitation of Learning

(iv)             Constancy.

Jones has also said, while making clear the meaning of aptitude, “An aptitude is not ability, but it helps to predict the probable development of certain abilities.”

According to Warren’s Dictionary of Psychology:

“A condition or set of characteristics regarded as symptomatic of an individual’s ability to acquire with training some knowledge, skills or set of responses such as the ability to speak a language or produce music etc.”

Hence, we see that an aptitude is a capacity to learn certain skills and ability are necessary   success in a particular area of work.

8.2.3 Differential Aptitude Tests (DAT)

The aptitudes which are likely to be useful for a specific set, of professions are measured by the Differential Aptitude Test Battery (DAT) and it has some sub-tests which are mentioned below:

1. Verbal reasoning
2. Numerical ability
3. Abstract reasoning
4. Space relations
5. Mechanical reasoning
6. Clerical speed and accuracy
7. Language usage-spelling
8. Language usage-sentences

Measurement of Aptitude

Aptitude can be gauged by Differential Aptitude Tests. It consists of a chain of eight sub-tests as:-

1. Verbal Reasoning Test : The ability to use verbal concepts by the individual is measured in this test and it is not a test.
2. Numerical Ability: The ability to workout the arithmetical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division etc., are measured in this Numerical ability test.
3. Abstract Reasoning : This test measures the individual’s ability to reason with the help of abstract figures.
4. Space Relations: Imagination power is measured through this test. Three dimensional figures are presented as two’ dimensional figures and thç individual has to comprehend space relation.
5. Mechanical Reasoning: In this test, the student is examined about his kowledge of principle and mechanism behind mechanical devLces of daily use.
6. Clerical Speed and Accuracy: Different permutations of figures and letters are presented and the stbdent has to search Out a particular permutation.
7.  Language Usage-spelling: The student has to select words which have wrong spelling.
8. Language Usage-sentences: The student is asked to find out syntax errors and sentence formation errors.

The first three (1,2,3) measure the functions. related to general intelligence and the latter measure specific aptitudes.

8.2.4 Uses of Aptitude tests

1. Aptitude tests are very helpful in selecting workers for particular jobs.
2. Aptitude tests are helpful in helping individuals lb choose their occupations.
3. When the authorities of various schools and colleges wish to reduce the number of probable failures among those who .enter these institutions, they should make the selection on the basis of some of the aptitude tests.
4. Aptitude tests do not directly measure future accomplishment. They make no such pretext. They measure present known to be sympathetic of future potentialities. The test data supply a means of estimating those potentialities. The estimate is necessarily in terms f probabilities only.