Development of the mental speed test for children

Mental speed, which is a component, related to general intelligence, is an indicator of learning potential and effective in information processing processes. There is a need for a test with a theoretical basis for measuring mental speed based on mental performance. In the current study, the Mental Speed Test for Children (MST) was developed to measure the mental speed of kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students. The psychometric properties of the test were investigated as well. The theoretical structure of the test was established in accordance with Schneider and McGrew's hierarchical model of general speediness, Eysenck's Model of The Structure of Intellect and the findings of Carroll's cognitive skills meta-analysis study. The MST is consisted of subtests to measure the skills of perception speed, memory and learning speed, reasoning speed, fluency-flexibility speed. The test with non-verbal items was administered individually to participants with touch screen tablets. Item response scores and response times were recorded on system. After the pilot study (n = 107), the current study was conducted (n = 373). For the construct validity, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was carried out with five subtests and 42 items derived from item analysis findings. The single-factor structure revealed with principal component analysis explained 44,86% of the total variance. Criterion validity based on the correlation between the MST and ASIS was found satisfactory (r = .59). Significant differences found in favor of upper classes and older ages showed that the test had developmental validity as well. The internal consistency value revealed that the reliability of the test was adequate (α = .83). A negative and small significant relationship (r = -.20) was found between test total scores and the total response time. The findings showed that MST is a psychometrically valid and reliable test to address mental speed, so it can be used to measure mental speed of children.