Incidence of Basic Concepts in the Directions of Five Commonly Used American Tests of Intelligence

Abstract

Five intelligence tests produced in the United States of America were reviewed to determine the incidence of basic concepts within the test directions. The 258 concepts assessed by the Bracken Basic Concept Scale were used to produce the frequency count and it was found that the directions of four of the five intelligence tests were replete with basic concepts. The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children had only six concepts used in the test directions, and the instrument allows for task teaching and alternate wording. Threats to validity are discussed for the four American instruments that had the most concepts assumed by the test authors.