Verbal Reasoning

The Verbal Reasoning can be used for selection or advisory questions and is particularly relevant for roles in which verbal and/or written reasoning ability is important.

The Verbal Reasoning can be used as a standalone test, or as part of a general intelligence measurement (see ACT General Intelligence). The Verbal Reasoning is an adaptive test and has been positively reviewed by COTAN.

Adaptive testing
In traditional tests it is assumed that every question is equally difficult. In an adaptive test, research has established how difficult each item is. Every candidate receives different items matched to their level. Simply put, when someone answers a question incorrectly, an easier question follows, and when someone answers a question correctly, a somewhat more difficult question follows. In this way the candidate’s level is determined while they take the test. This avoids candidates with a lower level receiving questions that are far too difficult, and candidates with a high level receiving questions that are far too easy. The advantage is that we can determine someone’s level more precisely and more quickly.

In practice, this means that every candidate gets a different test. The Verbal Reasoning currently has well over 200 questions, from which the system always selects the most suitable one. Once the candidate’s level has been measured reliably enough, the test stops.

Application
The Verbal Reasoning can be used for selection or advisory questions and is particularly relevant for roles in which verbal and/or written reasoning ability is important. For example, roles in which one must formulate a great deal verbally and be able to extract the essence from verbal information.

Items
In the Verbal Reasoning, the candidate is asked to choose from six words exactly those two words that, together with the two words presented, form an analogy.

Sample question from the ACT Verbal Analogies:

Reporting
In the standard Verbal Reasoning report, an IQ score is shown and the candidate’s score is compared with various norm groups: VMBO, MBO, HBO/Bachelor and WO/Master. It is possible to generate a customised report without an IQ score and/or with one or more specific norm groups. It is also possible to break this down into the MBO1, MBO2, MBO3 and MBO4 norm groups.