Expanding Talent Search Procedures by Including Measures of Spatial Ability: CTY's Spatial Test Battery

Abstract

The importance of spatial ability for success in a variety of domains, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), is widely acknowledged. Yet, students with high spatial ability are rarely identified, as Talent Searches for academically talented students focus on identifying high mathematical and verbal abilities. Consequently, students with high spatial abilities who do not also have high math or verbal abilities may not qualify. In an effort to identify students with spatial talent, the Center for Talented Youth developed a Spatial Test Battery to supplement its mathematical and verbal Talent Searches. This article traces the development of the battery; describes its components, important psychometric properties, and continuing development; and encourages its use by researchers and educators interested in developing spatial talent.

Keywords:

• block rotation test
• CTY Spatial Test Battery
• spatial ability
• spatial test
• STEM
• surface development test
• talent search
• visual memory test

Notes

1. The PLUS test was developed by ETS for CTY's fifth- and sixth-grade Talent Search and was used for several years. It has now been replaced by the SCAT.