Improving Students' Score in the General Aptitude Test with Test Repetition without the Need of Professional Training: تحسّن درجة الطالب في اختبار القدرات العامة بتكرار أخذه للاختبار ولو بدون تدريب احترافي

This study aimed to identify the extent to which students' score on the General Aptitude Test (GAT) improved when taking the test more than once. The semi-experimental approach was applied for its relevance to the objectives of the current study to follow up on the experience of repeating the GAT several times by the target students. The study sample consisted of (40) high school students who took the GAT (once, twice, three times, four times). The results of the study showed statistically significant differences between students’ scores on the GAT according to the difference in the number of times they took the test; the students’ score improved when they took the test more than once. Besides, the study showed that there were no statistically significant differences at the level of significance (0.05) between the average score on the GAT in the second time and the average score in the third time; there is no improvement in their grades the third time compared to their scores the second time. The study recommended educating students to take the test more than once, in order to achieve the best possible result. The study concluded that taking the test more than once has positive effects on the student and their families and mitigate worrying about the process of repeating the test. Finally, in light of the results, the study suggested conducting some studies with the aim to investigate the students’ reluctance to repeat the test four times and a study to identify the forms of professional training necessary for students to test and study the training's impact on students' psychology and their future aspirations.

Conformity and Aptitude As Predictors Of Science Related Career Choice Among Secondary School Students In Rivers State, Nigeria.

The present study investigated conformity and aptitude as predictors of science related career choice among secondary school students in Rivers state. Correlation research design was used in the investigation. A sample of 675 SS2 students were drawn from a population of 13,204 SSII students across the 268 public secondary schools in the three senatorial zones in the state. Multiple stages of sampling procedures were used to draw this sample size. Three instruments namely “Adolescents Conformity Scale”, “Science Aptitude Test Question” as well as the Science Career ChoiceInventory were used for the study. Experts vetting was used in validating the instruments while the reliability was determined using Cronbach Alpha method with reliability indices of 0.71 for Adolescents Conformity Scale, 0.84 for Science Aptitude Test Question and 0.82 for Science Career Choice Inventory were obtained. Simple linear regression was used to analyze the data generated from the research instruments. Result of the study showed that conformity relates about 0.7% with science career choice and it (p=0.025<0.05) significantly predict science related career choice among secondary school students in Rivers State. Also aptitude relates about 1.1% with science career choice and(p=0.007<0.05) significantly predict science related career choice among secondary school students in Rivers State. It was concluded that conformity and aptitude are strong predictors of career choice in general and not just limited to science related ones.

The efficacy of NSAID in performance improving and pain management in military physical aptitude test. An observational study in the military medical personnel

Background The Chinese military is deepening the strenthening reform and enhancing physical training standards. The sudden increasing in training requirements and outline has increased the pressure of the logistics units, such as medical personnel. Using over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the military physical aptitude test (MPAT), has been described as helpful for reducing of post-exercise myalgia (PEM) and improving performance. To verify this hypothesis, we designed and carried out this study. The objective was to explore the effect of NSAID in the performance improvement and relieving of PEM in MPAT. Methods The research subject were military medical personnels who participated in the 2020 winter MPAT in Xi'jing Hospital and Air Force Medical Center both affiliated to Air Force Medical University. The information was collected in the form of measure yourself medical outcome profile (MYMOP2) questionnaires. PEM was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Test scores including 3000m running and sit-ups were documented detailed. VAS assessment including muscles in lower extremities (LEs) as well as Abdominals (ABs). One of the most commonly used NSAID in clinical practice, etocoxib, was used as an intervention agent in this study. Participants were divided into group A (etoricoxib group) and group B (control group). Given that training intensity and training habits as a impact on outcomes, hence, according to whether they persisted in physical exercise for more than three months, they were subclassified as two subsets: continuous exercise group (A1 and B1), no exercise group (A2 and B2). General information including gender, height, weight and BMI were recorded. MPAT results and PEM were compared and analysised between and within groups. Results A sample of 97 participants were recruited. 41 people were classified as group A, while other 56 people in group B. They were further subdivided into A1 (17 cases) and B1 (27 cases) who had been exercising consistently; A2 (24 cases) and B2 (32 cases) groups that were not. The results showed that MPAT scores in the etoricoxib group are indeed better than those in the no-drug group. Similarly, the VAS score in group A was lower than group B, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The overall results revealed potential effective for pain relief and performance, which meet the hypothesis. The comparison between subgroups showed that NSAID could alleviate PEM after MPAT regardless of whether exercise was insisted or not. Meanwhile, NSAID improved performance in the muscle explosiveness items (sit-ups), which is prone to cause PEM. However, for endurance items (3000m running), as a matter of fact, continuous physical training maybe demonstrated more effective. Conclusion Taking NSAID while participating in MPAT, overall, did improve test scores and alleviate PEM, especially in the explosive force testing projects. Nevertheless, physical training may be more effective in enhancing endurance. To sum up, whether this practice will bring additional harm to the body and worthy of promoting, still needs further research.

PROBING THE CONSTRUCT VALIDITY OF LLAMA_D AS A MEASURE OF IMPLICIT LEARNING APTITUDE

A subtest of the LLAMA test battery (LLAMA_D) has been proposed as a potential test of implicit learning aptitude. To improve its construct validity, in the present study, the original LLAMA_D (a) instructions for incidental learning were modified, and (b) confidence ratings of test responses and (c) reaction time (RT) measurements were added. This revised LLAMA_D was administered along with the other LLAMA subtests (LLAMA-B, -E, and -F). Unconscious knowledge that may (not) result from the exposure was assessed through the relationship between the accuracy/RT and confidence ratings. The results suggest that LLAMA_D accuracy largely reflects conscious retrieval of previously heard sound sequences. However, an index derived from the LLAMA_D RT measure (coefficient of variance) was associated with an aspect of oral fluency, which is presumably dependent on proceduralization. Several recommendations are proposed to redesign and extend LLAMA_D as a potential aptitude test for proceduralization.

Investigating language aptitude in the success of adult second language acquisition

The present study was conducted by using mixed methods design to investigate the role of language aptitude in second language acquisition (SLA). The quantitative method involved Hungarian adults (N = 27) of two kinds of schools: a technical school and three different universities. These adults participated in completing the aptitude test called Hungarian Language Aptitude Test (HUNLAT). The qualitative part included an in-depth interview, which was conducted with six participants mainly focussing on their learning habits in order to examine if there is any correspondence between aptitude and language learning habits in this sample. Within this sample, males achieved significantly higher scores on the Grammar analysis task and older students scored significantly higher on three tasks; additionally, they scored significantly higher on the total score of the HUNLAT. Furthermore, those students who scored high on the aptitude test regard themselves to be successful and those who scored low regard themselves less successful language learners. The major pedagogical implication that can be drawn from this particular research is that there are many constructs that may influence language aptitude including language learning habits, motivation, and language learning strategies; thus, EFL teachers may reconsider the role of this construct in SLA.

Early Detection of Academic Performance During Primary Education Using the Spanish Primary School Aptitude Test (AEI) Battery

The aim of this study was to assess the predictive capacity of some of the most relevant cognitive skills pertaining to the academic field as measured by the Spanish Primary School Aptitude Test Battery. This psychometric tool was applied to all students who were enrolled in the final year of Early Childhood Education (631 students) in the public schools of the province of Alicante (in the South-East of Spain) and a follow-up of their academic progress was carried out when they completed Primary Education (6 school years). The results obtained show that medium-high and high scores in Verbal Aptitude and Numerical Aptitude tests in Early Childhood Education (5 years of age), can predict academic success at the end of Primary Education (12 years of age) in instrumental subjects such as: (1) Language (Verbal Aptitude Odds Ratio = 1.39 and Numerical Aptitude Odds Ratio = 1.39) and (2) Mathematics (Verbal Aptitude Odds Ratio = 1.47 and Numerical Aptitude Odds Ratio = 1.52). We have determined the importance of developing pedagogical programs that stimulate the development of these skills during Early Childhood Education, while implementing support strategies during Primary Education, for those students who present underdeveloped aptitudes in these areas. In this way, school difficulties would be prevented in the instrumental subjects that provide access to other academic areas.