Validities of tests given in July 1949 and of subtests of the Postgraduate School Aptitude Test Form WNPF for predicting average grades for first two terms at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School

Abstract

Scores on the seven aptitude and achievement tests given in July 1949 to members of the incoming class at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School together with scores on the five parts of the Postgraduate School Aptitude Test Form WNPF have been related to the quality-point ratios of the officers in this class for their first two terms at the Postgraduate School. Bar charts have been pre­ pared which show for each of four score intervals on each test what per cent of students earned quality-point ratios of 2.00 or higher. Product-moment coefficients of correlation between scores on each test and the criterion of quality­ point ratios have also been computed. Consideration of the results of these two methods of evaluating the effectiveness of the tests reveals that the most promising tests are those in mechanics, mathematics, physics, experimental science, and engineering. Comparison with previously obtained results shows th.at consistent results have been found where similar tests were given in 1948 and 1949. Certain of the new tests tried out in 1949 were also found to be worthy of further investigation. It was concluded that the good progress made in the first year of research bad been continued through the second year, and that by the end of the planned three-year program of research it would be possible to indicate an effective test battery for use as part of the means of selecting Postgraduate School students.