The appropriateness of American norms for the School Motivation Analysis Test (SMAT) for use in Australia was studied, using 277 Australian secondary school students (99 males and 178 females). The SMAT appeared suitable for use with Australian secondary school students and the available norms appeared appropriate. (SLD)

The criterion validity of the primary, elementary, and intermediate school forms of the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) in an Australian context was studied. Results with about 8,000 children in grades 1 through 8 support the criterion validity of the OLSAT for Australian samples. (SLD)

The differences in raw scores between two versions of the Standard Progressive Matrices Test (SPM) and differences in available norms for one version and the currently studied population were investigated. The SPM was originally designed to measure the general factor of intelligence unrestrained by language. Scores for the untimed SPM version…

Using age norms in the Neale Analysis of Reading Ability-Revised assessments of reading ability can distort the diagnosis of reading difficulty, as evidenced in the assessment practices of the New South Wales (Australia) Department of Education. Grade-normative data (year-level norms) and abandoning the reporting of precise reading scores are…

S. Matthey shows that errors may be inherent in the misuse of age-normative data in assessing reading ability. However, Matthey ignores the policies and procedures of the New South Wales (Australia) Department of Education to guard against such misuse. (SLD)

Nine papers are presented that focus on the Raven Progressive Matrices tests. An overview of research on the Progressive Matrices; a review of international norming studies; recent data from China, Hong Kong, Brazil, New Zealand, and Australia; and a comparison of data for retarded and nonretarded children are presented. (SLD)

The Career Beliefs Inventory (CBI) is a counseling tool with the purpose of identifying beliefs as they relate to occupational choice and the pursuit of a career. The inventory can be administered individually or to a group ranging in age from grade 8 to adult. The CBI is a 96-item paper-and-pencil test written at an eighth-grade reading level.…

Designed to assist community college practitioners in understanding and utilizing standardized test results for making instructional, guidance, and administrative decisions, this three-part guidebook examines the uses of test results, the evaluation of standardized tests, and procedures for interpreting test scores. Section I discusses the…

The Joint First-Stage Achievement Test (JFAT) is a new unified college entrance examination developed in Japan. This report presents the statistical results of the JFAT and the applicants' behavior change which appeared through the first six years of administration from 1979 to 1984. Three major features of the JFAT are described: (1) jointly made…