Design of a Virtual Reality Supported Test for Spatial Abilities

This paper focuses on the development of a new spatial ability test in virtual reality (VR). This test measures the ability to visualize and mentally manipulate three-dimensional objects directly in 3D space, and should thus have a higher ecological validity than previous spatial ability tests. Items are viewed through head mounted displays and manipulated by means of a wireless pen input device. As a dynamic tests consisting of a pretest, a training phase, and a posttest it does not only measure a person’s current status but also his or her learning potential. Monitoring user interactions in a VR environment allows to measure test performance in ways not possible with traditional means. We describe design and development of the test and will present results of a pre-study with 240 participants conducted in early 2008.