Psychometrics E-Assignment 1

Prateek, 109CS0130 Group - 3

Modern Language Aptitude Test

Description Developed by John B. Carroll and Stanley Sapon, during a 5 year research at the Harvard University between 1953 and 1958, this test aims to measure "an individual's aptitude to learn a foreign language ". Though the test can be used to predict success in all communication skills, it is predominantly used for speaking and listening. Authors of the test have said that though virtually anyone can learn a foreign language, the test predicts the relative ease, when compared to other individuals, with which an individual can learn a foreign language, under a given amount of time and conditions. As per a research done by Carroll, language learning aptitude is not a general unitary ability, but a composite of at-least four relatively independent specialized abilities. The test measures the following abilities
1. Phonetic coding ability defined as the ability of an individual to identify distinct

sounds; associate the sounds with symbols representing them and the ability to retain those associations.
2. Grammatical sensibility defined as the ability to understand the grammatical functions

of words / phrases in sentences.

3. Rote learning ability defined as the ability of rapid learning and retentions of

associations formed between sounds and symbols.

4. Inductive language learning ability - defined as the ability to discover or infer the rules

of grammar from a relevant sample material. The test consists of five sections
1. Number Learning This section tests auditory and memory abilities associated with

sound-meaning relationships. Test takers are given the names of numbers in a new language. After hearing the names spoken aloud, they are expected to write down the corresponding number. ( 43 Possible Points)
2. Phonetic Scripts This section tests an individual's ability to learn a system for writing

English sounds phonetically. It's basically a test of sound-symbol association ability. ( 30 Possible Points)

3. Spelling Clues / Hidden Words This task again tests the sound symbol association

ability, as well as the knowledge of English vocabulary. Being a highly speeded section, it is considered a challenging section. ( 50 Possible Points)
4. Words in sentences This task tests individual's inductive language learning ability and

grammatical sensibility. ( 45 Possible Points )

5. Paired Associates This section evaluates the rote learning ability of the test taker.

Administration The Modern Language Aptitude Test is now the property of the non-profit entity Second Language Testing Foundation, Inc. MLAT is administered primary to adults, with a version of the test, Elementary MLAT designed specifically for school children. The MLAT may be administered to individuals or to groups. The basic Test Kit includes a Manual, Test Booklet, Practice Exercises Sheet, Examinee Answer Sheet, Hand Scoring Stencil, and Cassette Tape or CD. The cassette tape/CD includes instructions and stimuli for the entire test, and it controls the timing of the sections. Test administration takes approximately one hour and requires the use of a cassette recorder or CD player. After test administration is complete, scores are calculated by hand using the Hand Scoring Stencil. Scoring Scoring is done on the basis of correct answers to questions in each part, with no negative scores being awarded for any wrong answers. Scores are interpreted differently by the different organizations using them and the cut-offs are also modified accordingly. The MLAT scoring norms were established in 1958 by administering the MLAT to high school students, college students, military personnel, and foreign-service officers. Separate norms are available for each group. Authors of the test argue that since aptitude is an inherent trait in human beings, the degree of aptitude in major populations groups does not change appreciably over time. Interpretation and use of test scores The test results provide the following assessments:
1. Time required by an individual to learn a foreign language - Churches and

missionaries use the results of the test to determine the duration of their foreign language programs.

2. Advising students on opting for foreign language scores Schools use the test results

to advise students who are interested in opting for a foreign language course.

3. To identify persons who would benefit the most from the time and expense of an

intensive foreign language Government and military agencies use this test primarily for this purpose.
4. To diagnose foreign language learning disability- Schools and clinical psychologists

use the test results for this purpose.

References 1. Carroll, J. B. & Sapon, S. (2002). Modern Language Aptitude Test: Manual 2002 Edition. N. Bethesda, MD: Second Language Testing, Inc.
2. MLAT Test, Language Learning and Testing Foundation, http://lltf.net/aptitude-

tests/language-aptitude-tests/modern-language-aptitude-test-2
3. Language-learning aptitude, Wikipedia

Graduate Record Examinations

Description Developed and administered by the Education Testing Society (ETS) in 1949, the Graduate Record Examinations is a standardized aptitude test, designed to an individual's suitability for graduate studies. GRE has today become a requirement in most of the graduate schools of United States and other English speaking nations. The examination aims to evaluate the following abilities
1. Verbal reasoning 2. Quantitative reasoning 3. Analytical writing 4. Critical thinking skills

The developers of the test claim that these abilities are acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. Also they claim that their test is "pattern- proof ", and cannot be "trained for". However there exist a lot of counter claims and debates over this issue.

The GRE general test consists of the following sections

1. Two Analytical writing sections ( consisting of Issue and Argument Tasks) This is

always the first section and consists of two essays, one being an "Issues Essay" and the second one being an "Argument Essay". Evaluated by on 0-6 point scale, these sections aim to assess the analytical writing abilities of the test taker.
2. Two Verbal Reasoning Sections These tasks aim to assess reading comprehension,

critical reasoning and vocabulary usages. It includes 6 text completion, 4 sentence equivalence, and 10 critical reading questions and the overall score is on a scale of 130-170.
3. Two Quantitative Reasoning Sections These sections test the basic high school

level mathematics and reasoning skills of the test takers. Questions included in these

sections range from Problem Solving items, Data Interpretation Items and Quantitative Comparison questions. It is also scored on a scale of 130-170.

4. Experimental Section This section can be either of quantitative reasoning, verbal

reasoning or analytical writing. Questions given in this section are basically the questions which ETS is considering for future use and these are not used for scoring the candidates.

Additionally candidates may take up GRE subject tests on specific areas such as Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology and Biology etc.

Administration

GRE is administered primarily as a computer based, adaptive test. In adaptive tests, the performance of the candidate in one questions / section determines the level of difficulty of the following questions. Before August 2011, GRE test was adaptive on a question to question basis but post that, it's adaptive on a section to section basis. A paper-pen version of the test is administered in places where the online test is not possible. Such tests are not adaptive in nature and the "Experimental Section" is not present in those tests.

Scoring and Interpretation Test takers get a score on a scale of 130-170. Scoring is done in such a manner that even after getting a few questions incorrect, the candidate can still end up with the perfect score of 170 and even with no correct answers, the lowest score of the candidate is 130. The absolute scores are used to calculate a percentile score, which is used to rank the individuals applying for a certain university or program.

Usages of Test Results

The test results are primarily used for selection of candidates for graduate programs. The weightage of test scores on the selection of the candidate varies from university to university. Also, few programs may concentrate only on certain abilities of the candidates, such as quantitative reasoning skills, while not taking into account the other sections of the test.

References 1. GRE, The Princeton Review 2012

2. About GRE revised General Test, ETS http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about

3. GRE, Wikipedia