Potential Assessment - (Second Edition)

Author: Barrett
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2007-01-01
Features: This test is closer to a measure of "natural" intelligence, meaning it measures innate intelligence rather than acquired abilities through learning. The verbal and numerical tests in the later chapters are also reasoning tests, but reading ability and numerical calculation skills still need to be acquired through learning. Therefore, visual tests are a more pure aptitude test, capable of measuring reasoning ability through cues other than words or numbers. However, it is not the best tool for measuring innate intelligence, as many highly intelligent individuals do not perform well on this test—perhaps their intelligence needs to be expressed through words or numbers. If you score better on the visual test than on the verbal or numerical reasoning tests, it usually indicates that you are more suited to scientific subjects. If you perform well on the visual test but have average scores on the numerical test, you may be more suited to subjects that are less mathematically rigorous, such as biological sciences. If your numerical reasoning score is also high, you may be more suited to physical and chemical sciences, as well as technology and engineering sciences. If you achieve good scores on both visual reasoning and verbal reasoning tests, you are typically more suited to social sciences. Individuals who perform well on visual tests are usually good at handling details or investigating information, whether in scientific fields or in social science disciplines like history.
P17 explains that the numerical reasoning test is not just an arithmetic test but requires identifying patterns in numerical relationships. Although some arithmetic skills are needed, the mathematical ability measured in this test is broader than mere arithmetic skills. People who score high on this test often say they are not particularly good at math, but the reason they find math difficult is usually a lack of training in "numerical rules"—how to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The ability in the field of numerical reasoning is important for many careers, especially those that emphasize quantitative data analysis. These fields can vary greatly, such as marketing and science, both of which require the application of statistics. If you score high on this test, you may easily grasp financial information in business, even if you are not familiar with or interested in accounting. If your score on the numerical reasoning test is significantly higher than on visual and verbal reasoning tests, first, you may prefer careers that specifically utilize this ability. You might enjoy studying courses with mathematical elements, depending on your motivation. If you are interested in business, then economics or business subjects might be a good fit for you. If your interest leans more toward technology, then scientific, engineering, or computer courses might be more suitable. If your numerical and verbal reasoning scores are both high, you may prefer careers that require the simultaneous use of both numerical and verbal skills, making business, commerce, or teaching viable options. If your numerical and visual reasoning abilities are both strong, you may tend toward more scientific or technical fields, at least at the beginning of your career, with the final direction being influenced by your personality.
P24 explains that another of my