Basic Attributes Test Retest Performance

摘要

The Basic Attributes Test (BAT) is a component of a U.S. Air Force pilotselection composite known as the Pilot Candidate Selection Method (PCSM). When PCSM was operationally implemented in 1993, no retests were permitted on the BAT. A study was conducted to examine retest reliability and mean score change for the BAT. Four hundred seventy seven (477) college students completed the BAT and retested at one of three intervals: 2 weeks, 3 months, or 6 months. Several important findings were observed. First, BAT scores demonstrated acceptable reliability. Second, about 70% of the students exhibited score improvement on retest, regardless of length of retest interval. Those who performed poorly on the first test generally exhibited larger improvements than those who performed well on the first test. Third, practice effects diminished as the length of the retest interval increased. For a six-month retest interval, it is expected that PCSM scores would increase on average by about six percentile points. These results suggest that BAT re-tests should be permitted no less that six months after initial testing.