The Factorial Composition and Validity of Differently Speeded Tests

Abstract

Scores on five differently speeded parts of a nonverbal reasoning test were analyzed to determine the relationship between the abilities measured by the speeded and the unspeeded parts. Two orthogonal factors were found: One is described as the ability to answer the problems correctly; the other is described as the tendency to answer the problems quickly. The first factor was found to be somewhat more valid than the second for predicting grades at the U. S. Naval Academy. The suggestion is made that descriptions of tests are incomplete unless they include some specification describing the speededness of the test.