Review of Tests for Vocational Guidance of Children Thirteen to Sixteen

Abstract

Reviews the book, Tests for Vocational Guidance of Children Thirteen to Sixteen by Herbert A. Toops (see record 1924-10345-000 ). This is a report of investigations financed by a grant from the Commonwealth Fund to provide tests to predict the probable success of young persons in different careers. Prevocational courses in the public schools were not found useful for guidance, although they do give one about to enter industry some facts and an interest in a trade. Improvement in mechanical ability appeared to be dependent more upon age than is improvement in general intelligence. Mechanical ability as studied was distinct from ability with ideas and clerical procedures. Special mechanical tests were devised for the girls. Additional space is devoted to questions of organization and instructions for using the tests tried out. The only weakness of the present report is that there are not yet data on the correspondence of the test results with vocational success. These will be forthcoming, we are promised, in due time from 2000 young people now under observation in industry. The report is scientifically meticulous, it is hard reading but well worth the effort for one who wishes to understand the methods and results of vocational placement and guidance through testing. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)