ABSTRACT
When researchers measure achievement, aptitude, or intelligence, they want examinees to strive to do their best—to perform at their optimum. An achievement test measures knowledge and skills individuals have acquired. Multiple-choice tests of achievement are frequently used by researchers because they are easy to administer and score. Indeed, multiple-choice tests are often appropriate when a researcher wants a quick snapshot of participants achievements. An aptitude test is designed to predict some specific type of achievement. An intelligence test is designed to predict intellectual ability in general, not any one specific type of achievement. The most popular intelligence tests are culturally loaded, and measure knowledge and skills that can be acquired with instruction. Research on intelligence can be controversial when, for instance, researchers assume that intelligence tests measure innate ability or that they measure all aspects of intelligence.
