The Validity of the Nelson-Denny Reading Test as a Predictor of Performance in Introductory Psychology

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to assess the extent of the relationship between Nelson-Denny Reading Test (NDRT) scores and introductory psychology examination scores. Tests were administered to subjects from selected sections of an introductory psychology course. Measures were taken over a four-semester period. The median correlation between the Nelson-Denny scores and each of the two criterion measures (first unit examination and total number of points earned during the semester—Semester Point Total) was 0.56 (significant at the 0.01 level). When standardized aptitude measures are not available, the NDRT would appear to be a useful predictor of performance in an introductory psychology class.