Creation of New Items and Forms for the Project A Assembling Objects Test
Abstract
The Army's Project A was a comprehensive effort to improve the selection and classification of enlisted personnel. The Assembling Objects (AO) test was a major product of this effort. Previous research has shown AO to be an excellent measure of both overall spatial ability and complex, g-loaded problem- solving skills. In view of the great potential usefulness of the AO measure, researchers from the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences examined the original test to develop precise, comprehensive item specifications. Using these specifications, they developed new draft items that were psychometrically tested in a field setting. The researchers then chose the best of the new items and combined them into three complete new forms that were further tested. Analyses showed that all three new forms displayed acceptable (or better) psychometric properties, at both the item and total score level, thus supporting the usefulness of the item specifications for creating new AO items and forms. These efforts should help to make the Assembling Objects test a valuable addition to the testing programs of the Army and the other armed services.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA285522
Entities
People
- Clinton B. Walker
- Dale R. Palmer
- Henry H. Busciglio
- Ivey H. King
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences