Wikipedia

Aptitude

For the Debian software, seeAptitude (software).

Anaptitudeis a component of acompetenceto do a certain kind ofworkat a certain level. Outstanding aptitude can be considered "talent",or"skill".Aptitude isinbornpotentialto perform certain kinds of activities, whetherphysicalormental,and whether developed or undeveloped. Aptitude is often contrasted withskillsand abilities, which are developed throughlearning.[1]Themass termabilityrefers to components of competence acquired through a combination of both aptitude and skills.

According to Gladwell (2008)[2]and Colvin (2008),[3]it is often difficult to set apart the influence of talent from the influence of hardtrainingin the case of outstanding performances. Howe, Davidson, and Sloboda argue that talents are acquired rather than innate.[4]Talented individuals generally show high levels of competence immediately in only a narrow range of activities,[5]often comprising only a single direction or genre.

Intelligence and aptitude

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Aptitude andIQare different but related concepts relating to human mental ability. Unlike the original idea of IQ, aptitude often refers to one of the many different characteristics which can be independent of each other, such as aptitude for military flight, air traffic control, or computer programming.[6]This approach measures a variety of separate skills, similar to thetheory of multiple intelligencesandCattell–Horn–Carroll theoryand many other modern theories of intelligence. In general, aptitude tests are more likely to be designed and used for career and employment decisions, and intelligence tests are more likely to be used for educational and research purposes. However, there is a great deal of overlap between them, and they often measure the same kinds of abilities. For example, aptitude tests such as theArmed Services Vocational Aptitude Batterymeasure enough aptitudes that they could also serve as a measure of general intelligence.

A single construct such as mental ability is measured with multiple tests. Often, a person's group of test scores will be highly correlated with each other, which makes a single measure useful in many cases. For example, theU.S. Department of Labor'sGeneral Learning Abilityis determined by combining Verbal, Numerical and Spatial aptitude scores. However, many individuals have skills that are much higher or lower than their overall mental ability level. Aptitude subtests are used intra-individually to determine which tasks that individual is more skilled at performing. This information can be useful for determining which job roles are the best fits for employees or applicants. Often, before more rigorous aptitude tests are used, individuals are screened for a basic level of aptitude through a previously-completed process, such asSATscores,GREscores,GATEscores, degrees, or other certifications.

Common aptitude tests

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Examples of aptitude tests include;[7]

  • Logical reasoningtests: Logical reasoning tests examine how you come to see the difference or similarities between patterns and shapes.
  • Verbal reasoningtests: Verbal reasoning tests will determine the way you have defined or obtained information from within short passage or paragraph.
  • In-tray exercises: Also called e-tray exercise, in-tray exercises is to determine your prioritization and organizational abilities required in the workplace.
  • Watson Glasercritical thinkingtests: The Watson Glaser critical thinking test determines your ability to analyze any set of information to see how well you understand it and draw from it a logical conclusion.
  • Situational judgment tests: Situational judgment tests measure how you solve problems at work using various workplace scenarios.
  • Numerical reasoningtests: Numerical reasoning tests determine how you use numbers and calculations to solve mathematical problems.
  • Diagrammatic reasoningtests: Diagrammatic reasoning tests give you patterns and diagrams from which you must find the next step in the chain and provide the next step in the pattern using logic.

Combined aptitude and knowledge tests

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Tests that assess learned skills or knowledge are frequently calledachievement tests.However, certain tests can assess both types of constructs. An example that leans both ways is theArmed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery(ASVAB), which is given to recruits entering the armed forces of theUnited States.Another is the SAT, which is designed as a test of aptitude forcollegein the United States, but has achievement elements. For example, it tests mathematical reasoning, which depends both on mathematical ability and education received inmathematics.

Aptitude tests can typically be grouped according to the type of cognitive ability they measure, whether that befluid or crystallized intelligence.[8][9][10]

Further information:Wolfe–Spence tests

See also

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Look upaptitudein Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

References

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  1. ^"Standardized tests: Aptitude, Intelligence, Achievement".psychology.ucdavis.edu.Retrieved2016-08-03.
  2. ^Gladwell 2008.
  3. ^Colvin 2008.
  4. ^Howe, M. J.; Davidson, J. W.; Sloboda, J. A. (June 1998)."Innate talents: reality or myth?".The Behavioral and Brain Sciences.21(3):399–407, discussion 407-42.doi:10.1017/s0140525x9800123x.PMID10097018.S2CID7656089.Retrieved15 August2022.
  5. ^Eby, Douglas."Multitalented Creative People".Developing Multiple Talents.Archived fromthe originalon 25 February 2016.
  6. ^"Standardized tests: Aptitude, Intelligence, Achievement".psychology.ucdavis.edu.Retrieved2016-08-03.
  7. ^"What is Aptitude? Definition, Types and Ways to Highlight It".indeed.Retrieved27 March2023.
  8. ^The Too Many Aptitudes Problem
  9. ^Multipotentiality: multiple talents, multiple challengesArchivedJuly 18, 2011, at theWayback Machine
  10. ^Personal Reflections on TestingArchivedJuly 26, 2011, at theWayback Machine

Bibliography

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  • Media related toAptitudeat Wikimedia Commons
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