test is designed so only 1% to 5% of test-takers can correctly answer

all questions within the time limit, with the most difficult questions
placed typically at the end of the test.

Attainment
Measures how well a person performs in a particular field following instruction or
teaching.
They are retrospective and are influenced by external factors
They are outside the scope of psychological measurement.
Ability tests on the other hand are designed to measure the abilities or mental
processes that underlie aptitude.
Examples:
o National Curriculum tests
o mathematical knowledge or typing skills.
Ability
Measures a persons potential, for instance to learn the skills needed for a new job
or to cope with the demands of a training course.
Assess specifically what people have learnt (e.g. mathematical ability or typing skills)
The major difference between tests of ability and tests of attainment is in the way
the scores from both types of test are used
They are prospective: they focus on what the person is capable of achieving in the
future or their potential to learn
Examples:
o Abstract reasoning
measures your lateral thinking skills or fluid intelligence.
ability to quickly identify patterns, logical rules and trends in new
data, integrate this information, and apply it to solve problems. It
measures what most people would refer to as the ability to think
on your feet or street smarts.
abstract reasoning test is timed and, although different tests may
have different time limits, you should typically expect to be given
approximately 25 30 seconds per question. The abstract reasoning

Aptitude
Ability and aptitude refer to the same thing: aptitude referring to specific ability and
ability referring to general aptitude.
More job related than ability
Examples:
o Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
required for admission on undergraduate level to many American
colleges, is a standardized test offered by the College Board through
the Educational Testing Service.
consists of SAT I: Reasoning Test and SAT II: Subject Test
SAT I is a three-hour test, primarily multiple-choice, that measures
verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities.
SAT II tests are one-hour, primarily multiple-choice tests in specific
subjects. The Subject Tests measure the examinee's knowledge of
particular subjects and his/her ability to apply that knowledge.
Many colleges require or recommend one or more of these tests for
admission or placement purposes. It is advisable to check the
requirements of colleges before deciding which tests to take.
Personality
Personality dispositions are preferred or typical ways of thinking and behaving,
being referred to as underlying characteristics or traits.
Often assessed by self report measures having multiple scales, including scales for
such things as assertiveness, anxiety or ambition.
There is no right or wrong in terms of the responses given

 there is usually no set time limit

Example:
o The 16 Personality Factor questionnaire (16PF)
is an estimated and commonly used personality test. It is the result
of decades of research and development conducted by Professor
Raymond B. Cattell and his co workers.
The test includes around 200 questions that are built in the same
format as shown in the figure below. The examinee is asked to
choose either the True or False answer choices in response to
questions that track his behavior patterns.