Cognitive capability can only be assessed by means of psychometric tests. It cannot be measured by means of CV checks, review of qualifications, academic marks, interviews, work sample tests or assessment centre tools – these tools have no psychometric properties and are not designed to assess cognitive capability. In South Africa, it is also illegal to use these methods to assess any aspect of Capability – whether cognitive or emotional capabilities.
Before we delve into the specifics, it is important to keep in mind that cognitive psychometric tests either consist of a battery or combination of tests that assess various types of cognitive ability, or are designed in such a way as to assess a range of cognitive processes.
Let us have a quick helicopter look at commonly used cognitive test batteries.
Commonly used batteries are the following
General Reasoning Test Battery which comprises
⦁ Abstract/Conceptual Reasoning Test
⦁ Numerical Reasoning Test
⦁ Verbal Reasoning Test
Learning Potential Assessments such as Apil – B which comprises
⦁ Abstract/Conceptual Reasoning Test
⦁ Information Processing Test
⦁ Curve of Learning Test
⦁ Memory and Understanding Test
⦁ Knowledge Transfer Test
Aptitude Tests (there are various) which typically comprise
⦁ Abstract/Conceptual Reasoning Test
⦁ Numerical Reasoning Test
⦁ Verbal Reasoning Test
⦁ Reading Comprehension Test
⦁ Spatial Reasoning Test
⦁ Mechanical Insight Test
⦁ Spelling Test
⦁ Data Processing Speed and Accuracy Test
⦁ Typing Test
There are other tests such as the Cognitive Processing Profile and the South African Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale which assess across a range of cognitive processes within the same test.
The aim with a cognitive assessment is to get a broad understanding of a candidate’s cognitive abilities, hence the use of test batteries as opposed to assessing a single cognitive ability. In the next 2 sections we will be looking at the tests that are most used to assess fluid and crystalised ability.