A study of two techniques of measuring "mechanical comprehension."

Abstract

To study the relationship between performance on a paper and pencil and a performance test of mechanical ability, the Bennett Test of Mechanical Comprehension and the Purdue Mechanical Assembly Test were administered to 100 college students. Results indicate that both tests are eliciting responses which lead to much the same rank order, the correlation between the scores of 80 male subjects being .63. The use of a pencil and paper test has obvious advantages in guidance, selection, and placement, assuming that the correlation with the criterion is known. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)