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Which way to choose from the plenty of ways ahead? Students are put into this situation after their schooling. Selecting the best and apt course is very important, but a herculean task for many. As they cannot sit on the fence for long some take layman's advice, some parents might have fixed in advance the career of their children, some choose the way their peers have taken and a few students do what their teachers say. Considering the importance of career decisions, some schools help students to make their career choice with the assistance of psychologists or career guides. But still majority of the students fail to plan their career properly.

Career decision should not be made in the heat of the moment. Aptitude should prevail over interest. Before taking career decisions, keep in mind that each individual is unique in their thinking skills and abilities. Everyone is not fit to do every job. A good artist may not be a good teacher. One with good spatial thinking ability is could probably become a successful architect. One who visualise an admirable palace may not be able to write a poem about the beauty of that structure due to lack of good linguistic ability. One who selects a field based on the unique skill possessed most probably succeeds in that area. The main reason for one's failure in career is that they are not looking into the innate potential they have before choosing a career.

Psychometric tests will help one to identify their unique skills. Here is the importance of tests for measuring innate potential before making career decisions. Before setting the career goal students can go for an aptitude test to know which profession is best fit for them. The test will predict their future performance in different professions. Aptitude tests, the psychometric test tools used for the measurement of the inborn talent to perform well in Intrapersonal Interpersonal a specific field of study or in a specific profession, help students to understand which type of career will be best suited for them. For example, a student who is good in spatial aptitude can perform well in careers related with designing, architecture etc. At the same time a student who is weak in numerical skill should not go for Engineering or Accounting.

Interest or Aptitude: Which is more important?
Vocational Interest and vocational aptitude are, actually, two different aspects. While interest is the inclination towards a profession, aptitude is an inherent potential. The formation of interest to a particular vocation is influenced by surroundings and it varies from time to time. Having interest in a particular subject of study or profession does not indicate that the person has aptitude or potential to study that subject or to perform that profession very well. A few students who have made flight journeys express their interest to become a pilot or aircraft engineers with the influence of their peers. But when they undergo scientific aptitude tests, the result may show that they don't have basic skills or potential to develop the skills required for a pilot or an aircraft engineer. Hence it is very important to choose a career, which the student likes and has aptitude.

Different Tests; Different Purposes
Aptitude tests are used for measuring inner potential but there are many types of tests which can be used for various purposes. Hence one kind of aptitude test may not be suitable for other. Some Aptitude tests are designed to check a person's specific abilities related with certain vocations. The management aptitude tests used for the selection of potential managers cannot be used for identifying potential architects. In normal situations students need to take aptitude tests like Differential Aptitude Tests (DAT), General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB) etc. These tests help students to decide on which stream they have to opt for their higher studies. General Aptitude Tests help students to know what career option will be most satisfying for them. Before taking an aptitude test ensure that the test tool is developed by a qualified team. If the tool is not developed by a team of psychometrician, psychologists and statisticians, it is not advisable to use it. Cultural differences will directly affect psychological trait. So the norms used for interpretation of aptitude tests should be prepared based on the same population of the person undergoing the test. So the test must be standardised as per the requirements of the client.

Validity and Reliability of Test tool
Validity simply means the purpose of the tool prepared. Testing aptitude using a tool meant to measure the interpretation of attitude will be a futile attempt. Definitely intelligence tests are not a substitute for aptitude tests. Reliability means consistency of the test tool over time. Unlike the conventional examinations aptitude tests are not meant to check the knowledge of an individual. Undergoing any valid and reliable aptitude test will help a student to fix the goal and hit the target with more precision. Parents and teachers must urge students to choose their career on the basis of their aptitude. If one is in love with what he is doing, the best within him will come out. While it gives satisfaction for the doer, it gives the best for society. Take right turn at right time, to reach right destination.

CIGI Differential Aptitude Tests
The Differential Aptitude Tests (DAT) is one of the most used multiple aptitude test batteries. First published in 1947, revised accordingly, the basic premise behind the development of the DAT, according to Wesman (1964) is that people differ in their abilities and in their prospects of acquiring new knowledge and skills in different areas, i.e. the concept of differential aptitudes.

CIGI Differential Aptitude Tests (CDAT) is a test tool developed by Ashraf and Fareed (2006) for Centre for Information and Guidance India (CIGI). It is, being standardised over a sample of 5000 students from Kerala, is the first aptitude test tool in India standardised under Item Response Theory (IRT) Framework. The first version was published in 2006 and updated in 2009.

The CDAT consists of five subtests viz. Verbal Reasoning. (VR), Abstract Reasoning (AR), Mechanical Reasoning (MR), Numerical Ability (NA), Space Relations (SR), and Verbal Ability (VA)

Verbal Reasoning (VR)
The items in this subtest are in the form of analogies which assesses the ability to find relations amongst words. The candidate has to infer the relationship between the first pair of words and apply the relationship to the second pair of words. Implicitly the test evaluates an individual's ability to think and communicate constructively.

Abstract Reasoning (AR)
Abstract reasoning tests have been found to be the best indicators of fluid intelligence and the ability to learn new things quickly. It is a non-verbal measure of the ability to perceive relationships in abstract figure patterns. It measures the reasoning ability while solving problems in terms of size, shape, position, or quantity etc. It could also be seen as a measure of an individual's logical, analytical, and conceptual skills. A series is presented in each problem and the candidate is required to perceive an operating rule in the changing diagrams and employ the rule to find the figure that follows logically. The skill is important in courses or occupations that require the ability to see relationships among object in terms of their size, shape, position and qualities, and where the ability to analyse dynamic changes and project them forward in time. Examples of professions/fields that would require high levels of abstract reasoning skills include mathematics, computer programming, architecture, mechanics, law and medicine. It is also useful in fields such as economics which requires an individual to envisage the cause and effect in situations where it is import ant to predict the future based on past events and trends, for example, market trends in the financial sector.

Mechanical Reasoning (MR)
Mechanical aptitude measures the capacity to apply simple mechanical and physical principles. It assesses a person's potential to apply mechanical concepts of motion and principles of working of machinery and tools including levers, pulleys, gears, springs, wheels and axles, simple electrical circuits, screws, inclined planes etc.

High Mechanical Reasoning may suggest a strong practical inclination in the student. They may find it easy to learn to repair devices and enjoy manipulating machinery. Mechanical reasoning is important for engineering, carpentry, mechanic and machine operation jobs. Some specific occupations where mechanical reasoning skills are vital include aircraft technician, auto-mechanic, fire-fighter, electrician, Space Relations (SR) plant-operator, machine operator, plumber etc.

Numerical Ability (NA)
Numerical Reasoning measures one's ability to understand numerical relationships, handle numerical concepts and to use numerical data, as a tool, to make reasoned decisions and solve problems. It also helps to assess basic or general arithmetic operations, ability to perform estimates, speed in making analysis, level of concentration in solving problems and critical thinking ability. Numerical Reasoning is

indicative of creative thinking ability as it implicitly measures one's capability to efficiently and effectively analyse critical issues and draw conclusions logically. Individuals with high numerical reasoning will enjoy using and manipulating numerical/statis- tical data and engage with it creatively.

The ability to think critically and use numerical reasoning skills has become important in almost all professional fields, given today's data-driven marketplace. It is an essential skill in various fields such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, accounting, actuary, economics, engineering, trades such as electrician, and carpentry, and also for jobs involving banking, insurance, computing, and surveying.

Space relations (SR)
Space relations test measures the ability to deal with concrete materials through visualizations. The items are in the form of sentences which have specifically, each problem requires the candidate to visualise a three-dimensional object from a two dimensional pattern, and be able to mentally manipulate the object to figure out how it would look if rotated in space. The subtest therefore measures one's ability to manipulate things mentally.

A high score in Space Relations might suggest an aptitude for visual subjects like art or technical drawing. The subtest is however, not a measure of artistic creativity. It is possible that individual have a high score in space relations but not be good at art.

But a good art student would normally have a high score in space relations. Occupation in which an individual is required to employ mental manipulation of objects/patterns include architecture, design courses, carpentry, civil and mechanical engineering, medicine, physiotherapy and dentistry.

Verbal Abilities (VA):
The verbal ability subtest assesses an individual's ability to understand the ideas and concepts which are expressed in words and reason with them. The subtest is composed of three further components:

Language Usage: Sentences
The items are in the form of sentences which have been divided in to sections, each sections comprising one or more words. The task is to identify which section contains an error. The test assesses the ability to construct proper sentence and observing rules of grammar. The individual’s ability to present ideas and express in English are being tested.

Language Usage: Spelling
The items are in the form of words, either spelled correctly or incorrectly, and the student has to identify whether the spelling is correct or not.

The verbal ability test as a whole helps to predict success in academic courses as well as in occupations where communication is a key element, including journalism, business, law, education, marketing and public relations. It is also of particular relevance to literature and language studies. Those with high verbal abilities are generally good at finding the right words to express ideas and concepts.

Whatever the test you are using to know aptitude, you should consult the report of the test with a career counsellor before taking final decision. You can touch high altitude, if you take decision wisely according to your aptitude and abilities.

Article By: Dr. Z A Ashraf
CIGI General Secretary