Differential Aptitude Test

(DAT)
Presented To:
Dr.Ammara Gull
Presented By:
Maryam Maqsood
Roll No 07
M.Phil 1st Semester

Department of Applied Psychology

The Islamia University of
Bahawalpur
List of Contents
 Aptitude
 Aptitude Test
 Introduction of DAT
 History
 Importance
 Subtests of DAT
 Steps in the administration of the test
 Precautions
 Preparing Materials
 Psychometric Properties
 Qualitative Analysis
Aptitude
Aptitude is an inherent capacity,
talent or ability to do something.
Having a high aptitude for something
means you are good at doing that
something.
Aptitude Test
A standardized test designed to
predict an individual's ability to learn
certain skills
 Differential Aptitude Test

Introduction
Provide an integrated, scientific, well
standardized procedure for measuring
abilities.
From grade 8-12.
Used in educational, vocational guidance
& for the selection of employee.
 History
•1st edition original (1947) forms
A&B
•Revised edition (1962) forms L
&M
•Again revised in (1972) forms S
&T
•Developed by Benett, Seashire &
Wesman
Importance of DAT

In history various number of

test were used
Stenquist mechanical
aptitude test (1921)
Thurstones Examination in
clerical work (1922)
 Subtests of DAT
The seven subtests in the series of
different aptitudes are available in DAT.
Verbal Reasoning
Measure ability to understand concepts
framed in words.
Numerical Reasoning
Understanding numerical relationship
and in handling numerical concepts.
Abstract Reasoning
Non-verbal measure of a student‘s reasoning.
the ability to perceive relationship in abstract
figures.
Space Relations
Ability to deal with concrete material through
visualization.
Mechanical Reasoning
Measures the aspect of intelligence
 Clerical Speed and Accuracy Test

Measure speed of response in a simple

perceptual task.
Language Usage I- Spelling II-
Sentences
Measure the student's ability to
distinguish between good and bad
grammar punctuation and word usage.
 Steps in the
administration of the test
Step-1: Provision of basic
instructions
To inform briefly about the test
administration.
Provide brief explanation of a
particular test before administration.
Step-2
Distribution of the answer sheets
Distribute the appropriate
answer sheets.
Instruct the group to print the
requested information at the
top.
Be sure that each student
records the form S or T.
Step-3 Announcements before the test

Before distributing the booklets

announce that, “Do not open
these booklets until you are told
to do so”
Make certain that all students
hear these instructions.
 Step-4: Conduction of the test
 The exact time allows each test is as follow
 Verbal Reasoning 30 Minutes
 Numerical Ability 30 Minutes
 Abstract Reasoning 25 Minutes
 Space Relations 30 Minutes
 Mechanical Reasoning 30 Minutes
 Clerical Speed and Accuracy
Form I 3 Minutes
From II 3 Minutes
 Language Usage
Part-I 10 Minutes
Part- II 10 Minutes
Step-5: Collection of the Answer Sheets:

Collect the answers sheets and test

booklets back when the time limit is
completed.
Step-6 scoring of the test

Raw score was calculated (according to right

answer key given in the test ) of each sub test

individually and converted into their

percentiles of each respective test regarding

to Gender, grade and session. (Spring, Fall)

Precautions

Planning is essential
Training the staff
Timing
Instruments used for time
judgment i.e stopwatch.
Preparing Materials
To avoid confusion during the test
materials should be prepare before the
time.
Physical conditions
Well lighted, well ventilated and
comfortable room temperature.s
Psychometric Properties:

Norms
 The norms for DAT are expressed in terms of percentile rank
equivalents. For this reason the tables are so arranged as to
present norms data for a single grade.
Reliability

 According to Benett , Seashire & Wesman the split half reliability

co efficient were computed by correlating raw scores on even
number items and raw scores on odd number items and these split
half reliability co efficient were corrected by the spearman brown
formula to reflect the reliability of total test.
Spearman Brown Formula
 rSB=1+rhh/2rhh
 Validity
Schmitt (1995) notes that a major problem with the battery is the “lack of
discriminant validity between the seven sub tests. With the exception of Perceptual
Speed and Accuracy test, all of the subtests are highly inter correlated (.50 to .75).
If one wants only a general index of the person’s academic ability, this is found; If
the scores on the subtests are to be used in some diagnostic sense, this level of inter
correlation makes statements about student’s relative strengths and weaknesses
which are highly questionable.
Qualitative Analysis

 The Verbal Reasoning test, as its name implies, is a measure of

ability to understand concepts framed in words. Participant scored
65th percentile showed average ability to generalize and think
constructively. 60th percentile in numerical reasoning showed his
above average ability to reason with number, to manipulate with
numerical relationship, and to deal intelligently with quantitative
materials.
Cont….

In space relation 65th percentile showed his

above average ability to perceive relationship
in abstract figure patterns generalization and
education of principles from non-language
designs. 65th percentile in mechanical
reasoning indicated his above average ability
to learn the principles of operation and repair
of complex devices.
Cont…
The Clerical Speed and Accuracy test is
intended to measure speed of response in a
simple perceptual task and 20th percentile
showed low speed level. The 40th percentile in
Abstract Reasoning showed below average
ability to deal with concrete material through
visualization. 10th percentile in language usage
test showed below average grammar and word
usage ability .In spelling test participant scored
50th percentile showing his average
achievement level.
References

Bennett, G.K, Seashore, H.G,&

Wesman,A.G.(1947).Differential Aptitude Tests, (3rd
ed),New York:The Psychological Cooperation.
 Gregory, R.J. (2004). Aptitude Tests. In
Gregory, R.J. (Eds.), Psychological
Testing: History, Principles, and Applications (pp.
300). India: Pearson Education, Inc.
and Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc.
THANK YOU