Attitudes, Incentives, and Test Performance

This analysis was conducted in support of the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) and its project to develop aptitude test norms from a test administration done as part of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY97). Our analysis draws on an extensive questionnaire administered to the respondents at the conclusion of their aptitude test. We conducted a regression analysis of test scores as a function of demographics and attitudes as expressed on the questionnaire. We summarize the results as follows: · Incentive payments to persons taking the aptitude tests are essential. · Test takers tried equally hard during a lengthy 9-month testing period. Members of some demographic groups did not try as hard as others.