A comparative examination of structural models of ability tests

This study was conducted to examine whether the same underlying structure of ability tests emerges when three different data analysis methods are used. The sample consisted of 335 examinees who applied for vocational guidance and were administered a battery of 17 tests. A matrix of intercorrelations between scores, based on the number of correct answers was obtained. The matrix was subjected to factor analysis, Guttman's SSA, and tree analysis, essentially resulting in different structures. Comparisons were made, and the theoretical implications of the results are discussed in relation to various structural models of ability tests existing in the literature.