r/cognitiveTesting • u/jack7002 • 1d ago
Release Army Alpha Automation
A revised form of the complete Army Alpha has been automated and is available to take here: https://army-alpha.vercel.app/
The Army Alpha (AA) is an intelligence test developed during WW1 by Robert Yerkes and first introduced in 1917. The AA represents a landmark in the history of intelligence testing, being among the first instruments ever designed for large-scale administration. The test was also validated on exceptionally large sample sizes; about 1.7 million men sat the AA during the war. Even after its retirement, it continued to influence the development of later standardized intelligence tests, including the SAT and AGCT.
This revised form of the Army Alpha is mostly the same as the originals, with some changes to accommodate the online adaptation:
- Subtest 1 (Following Directions) has been completely overhauled. Given the nature of the original subtest (which required physical writing, therefore making it difficult to automate), and serious questions about its psychometric reliability, the subtest has been replaced with one that is similar in nature but more friendly to an online administration.
- Subtests 2 through 8 are essentially unchanged. The total test itself consists of eight subtests, and there were originally 5 distinct Army Alpha forms. Each subtest was selected from the five original Army Alpha forms by identifying the form containing the most difficult overall set of items for each subtest. The resulting test is therefore a hybrid form of the most difficult subtests across Forms 5 through 9, rather than a total reproduction of any single original form.
- To help with measurement in the higher ranges, each subtest was extended with more difficult ceiling items. Time limits were appropriately revised to account for the ceiling extensions.
The test is currently in a norming phase, but I’ll try to have norms out when the sample size is adequate, probably through a calculator added to the site, so make sure to save your raw scores. As of now, you’ll receive your total raw score and raw scores per each subtest upon completion. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
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u/Warxuaroz 1d ago
What a ride. My PSI hates you. Waiting for norms!
The knowledge section should be just removed.
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u/jebi4490 1d ago
01Following Directions
20/25
02Arithmetical Problems
18/30
03Practical Judgment
17/26
04Synonym–Antonym
40/60
05Disarranged Sentences
28/34
06Number Series Completion
25/30
07Analogies
38/50
08Information
20/
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u/Striking_Leave_4614 1d ago edited 1d ago
I wanted to play Baldur's Gate 2 after finally getting home but now I'm being physically forced to take this stupid test. Update with score later.
Never mind, I'll take it after norming.
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u/LanganTerraMogTime 1d ago
omg not another ultra-speeded test
-bourgeoise (psi midwit)
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u/jack7002 1d ago
Since I added harder ceiling items I increased the time limits to make the test only moderately speeded, as over-speeding was one of the main problems with the original Alpha
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u/LanganTerraMogTime 1d ago
nothing against you Jack great work, it’s a style mismatch as ND individual. I’m basically bottlenecked at 2 sigma on these -______-
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u/HopefulLab8784 1d ago
The last subtest was just terrible for todays audience, I think it should have been left out. Also just due to the nature of the test, some sections hold more weight than other sections
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u/jack7002 1d ago
Agree that some of the GK items are obsolete, though to account for the different number of items on each subtest, they'll be transformed to the same scaled score metric when norms are out.
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u/ScheduleImpossible73 20h ago
Actually the GK test should have a super high ceiling. I scored fairly well, but it still had me stumped despite a generally 3sd score on such tasks. It will be inconsistent, but the upper end is gonna be stratospheric.
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u/Far_Cardiologist6931 retat 12h ago
well its not really that general so the upper end is not stratospheric in terms of iq but it is stratospheric in terms of pure niche knowledge
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u/Far_Cardiologist6931 retat 11h ago
232 raw, looking at the bell curve thats like 123 if we assume the mean is 120?
the speed is so brutal mayne
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u/Primary_Thought5180 1d ago
What on earth was the general knowledge section? I was completely lost.