Background
The TST was developed over 10 years by Professor Sidney Irvine and colleagues and its online counterpart, the GIA, was developed over 15 years by Dr Peter Dann in the Human Assessment Laboratory at the University of Plymouth. Thomas integrated the TST into its product suite in 1993 and GIA in 2006.
The GIA/TST looks at an individual’s response to training and the ability learn and develop new skills. The General Intelligence Assessment is used for a variety of purposes: recruitment, retention, development, management, identifying training needs, career guidance, succession planning and benchmarking.
Theory
The General Intelligence Assessment consists of five online tests of simple cognitive abilities (i.e. abilities that rely on processes such as thought, language, decision making, learning and memory). Although the overall score measures ‘trainability’, each of the five tests measures a specific cognitive function (detailed below):
Perceptual Speed: This test measures the perception of inaccuracies in written material, numbers and diagrams, the ability to ignore irrelevant information, the ability to recognise similarities and differences, and error checking. It tests the speed of semantic encoding and comparison.
Reasoning: This test measures the ability to make inferences, the ability to reason from information provided and to draw the correct conclusions. This test assesses the ability of an individual to hold information in their short-term memory and solve problems.
Number Speed and Accuracy: This is a test of numerical manipulation and a measure of basic numerical reasoning ability. It measures the degree to which an individual can work comfortably with quantitative concepts.
Spatial Visualisation: This test measures the ability to create and manipulate mental images of objects. This test correlates with tests of mechanical reasoning, and assesses an individual’s ability to use mental visualisation skills to compare shapes. It relates to the ability to work in environments where visualisation skills are required to understand and execute tasks.
The GIA measures in addition:
Word Meaning: This test assesses word knowledge and vocabulary. It assesses the comprehension of a large number of words from different parts of speech and the ability to identify the words that have similar or opposite meanings. It assesses the ability to work in environments where a clear understanding of written or spoken instructions is required.
Whereas the TST, GIA’s pencil and paper counterpart, additionally measures:
Working Memory: This test measures the ability to hold information that has been previously processed, while simultaneously process and assimilating incoming information. It is a test that makes demands on reconstructive memory processes.
Format
Each of the five tests has one type of task and all the questions in a given test are of an equal level of difficulty. The individual’s score is then determined by the speed and accuracy of their responses. Scores are then compared to a sample of the UK population (the norm group) to determine whether the scores are lower, higher or in-line with the majority of the UK population.
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