Potential Assessment (Second Edition)

Author: (English) Barrett
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2007-01-01
Features: This test is close to measuring "natural" intelligence, meaning it measures an individual's innate intelligence rather than abilities acquired 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, the visual test is a "more pure" aptitude test, capable of measuring reasoning ability through clues other than words or numbers. However, it is not the "best" tool for measuring innate intelligence. 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 might be more suited to subjects that are less mathematically rigorous, such as biological sciences. If your numerical reasoning score is also high, you are 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 the visual test are usually adept at handling details or investigating information, whether in scientific disciplines or in social science fields like historical research.
Page 17 explains that the numerical reasoning test is not just an arithmetic test but requires identifying patterns in the relationships between numbers. 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 it difficult is usually a lack of training in "number 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 value 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 those 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 for you. If your numerical and verbal reasoning scores are both high, you might prefer careers that require the simultaneous use of both numerical and verbal skills, making business, entrepreneurship, or teaching viable options. If your numerical and visual reasoning abilities are both strong, you may lean toward more scientific or technical disciplines, at least at the beginning of your career, with the final direction being influenced by your personality.
Page 24 explains that another of my...