Measure Your Mind: The Mentimeter and How to Use ItTrabue, Marion Rex
Science
Measure Your Mind: The Mentimeter and How to Use It
Trabue, Marion Rex
Educational tests and measurements; Intelligence tests; Psychological tests
This test is very easily used as a group test with people who can
understand spoken English. The test is also capable of being given to
groups of illiterate or foreign-speaking individuals, if the examples
used in the explanation are painted on a large blackboard to be placed
in the front of the room in full view of all those taking the
examination. In the absence of such a special blackboard, the test may
be used as an individual test with illiterate or foreign-speaking
persons.
Fifteen geometrical figures, such as squares, circles, triangles, and
the like, are presented on three pages of the examination booklet. To
the left of each figure are two or more small figures which, when
properly arranged, form the large figure on the right. The problem of
the candidate is to draw a line or several lines in the large figure on
the right to indicate how it might be divided to make up the small
pieces shown on the left. The first figures are quite simple and may be
very readily done by drawing one or two lines. The problems on the third
page require from three to five lines to be drawn and are distinctly
more difficult than the problems appearing on the previous pages.
It is very difficult to say exactly what functions of the mind are
measured by this test. The greatest difficulty with the test is that a
rather high minimum of intelligence is required in order to understand
what is necessary or desired. The two examples appearing on the title
page of the test booklet are not sufficient to demonstrate clearly to
the dull person just what he is to do. It is probable that dull people
will succeed very much better in this test if it is given as a test for
foreigners, using the special blackboard. The examiner could, in that
case, draw a line with chalk to show what is expected. The printed
directions on the test blank have been made as simple as possible, but
they are not wholly satisfactory for the lower ranges of intelligence.
The scoring of this test is somewhat more difficult than for the
majority of the other Mentimeter tests. It is intended that one point of
credit shall be given for each large figure properly divided. The
difficulty comes in being sure that the candidate has intended to draw
his lines at exactly the proper place. Inaccuracy may be the result of
not knowing where the lines should be placed, or it may be the result of
careless execution. If a line is misplaced through careless execution,
when it is perfectly clear that the right idea was present in the
candidate’s mind, full credit should be given for that element of the
test. If it is not certain that the candidate understood where the line
should be drawn, no credit should be given for that particular figure.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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