Although the high-variability training method can enhance learning of non-native speech categories, this can depend on individuals' aptitude. The current study asked how general the effects of perceptual aptitude are by testing whether they occur with training materials spoken by native speakers and whether they depend on the nature of the to-be-learned material. Forty-five native Dutch listene...

BACKGROUND The attainment of technical competence for surgical procedures is fundamental to a proficiency-based surgical training program. We hypothesized that aptitude may directly affect one's ability to successfully complete the learning curve for minimally invasive procedures. The aim was to assess whether aptitude has an impact on ability to achieve proficiency in completing a simulated mi...

In this study I examine the construct of aptitude in learningChinese as a second language (L2) to an advanced level. I test 2 hypotheses: first, that L2 aptitude comprises 4 components—working memory, rote memory, grammatical sensitivity, and phonemic coding ability—and second, that L2 aptitude affects learning both directly and indirectly (mediated by strategy use and motivation). Native speak...

Tilt represents a pattern of specific abilities and is based on within subject differences between two abilities, indicating strength in one ability (e.g., technical) weakness another academic). The current study examined age tilt, processing speed, general intelligence (g) adolescence for 13- to 17-year-olds. was measured using the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery technical (mechanic...

Learning to program is notoriously difficult. A substantial minority of students fails in every introductory programming course in every UK university. Despite great academic effort, the proportion has increased rather than decreased over the years, and despite a great deal of research into teaching methods and student responses, we have no idea of the cause. It has long been suspected that som...

[Purpose] Academic performance of college students can be impacted by the efficacy of students' ability and teaching methods. It is important to assess the progression of college students' cognitive abilities among different college majors and as they move from junior to senior levels. However, dearth of studies have been examined the role of cognitive ability tests as a tool to determine the a...

OBJECTIVE Findings from previous prospective research suggest the association between alcohol use and undergraduate academic performance is negligible. This study was designed to address weaknesses of the past research by relying on objective measures of both drinking and academic performance. METHOD A prospective study was conducted with repeated measures of exposure to alcohol linked to ins...

The theory underlying computerized adaptive tests assumes that all items for a given subtest measure a single dimension. This assumption was examined for the Math Knowledge items in the item pool developed for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Departures from the assumption were found to be minor.

A new measure that focused explicitly on the cognitive dimension of test anxiety was introduced and examined for psychometric quality as compared to existing measures of test anxiety. The new scale was found to be a reliable and valid measure of cognitive test anxiety. The impact of cognitive test anxiety as well as emotionality and test procrastination were subsequently evaluated on three cour...