Author: John J. Mathews

Publisher:

Published: 1977

Total Pages: 32

ISBN-13:

The object of this study was to develop a valid replacement for the difficult to administer and costly Chalk Carving Test presently used in screening Dental Laboratory Specialist (DLS) candidates. An experimental battery of perceptual tests was given to 172 prospective DLS students. Dexterity tests were also given to a subsample. Experimental laboratory ratings and final course grades, if available, were obtained for the subjects. Tests were factor analyzed, and individual and multiple validity correlations were computed. The Chalk Carving Test presently used in screening prospective DLS students did not demonstrate significant validity with laboratory ratings or final grades. This lack of relationship seems partly due to somewhat subjective scoring reflected by a low interrater reliability. Several of the experimentally administered perceptual tests and a finger dexterity test (Peg Turning) did correlate significantly with laboratory ratings. A few perceptual tests also were valid for predicting DLS final grades.