The tests of primary mental abilities applied to superior children

A preliminary evaluation of Thurstone's Tests of Primary Abilities for ages 5 and 6 (PMA) was attempted by administering this test to 80 superior children in the University of Iowa elementary school and preschool. The Stanford-Binet revision, 1937, Form L, (SB) was used as an external criterion. The PMA adequately differentiated levels of mental ability for 5 year olds and for all but the most superior 6 year olds, but the large number of ceiling scores made by 7 year olds shows that the test is not appropriate for superior children of this age. Children younger than 5 found the test is long and difficult. The PMA gives a slightly lower score than the SB in most cases.