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The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) was designed to serve as a reliable and quantifiable measure of alcohol dependence (M. Selzer, 1971). Since its introduction, the psychometric properties of the MAST have been studied extensively, but there are several questions that havd not been addressed or only partially answered. The purpose of this study was to evaluate critically the MAST's psychometric usefulness. Subjects were 94 \ continuous clients presenting for a chemical dependence assessment at a community mental health and addictions treatment center. The results suggest that the MAST is a psychometrically sound instrument, useful for screening for the presence of alcohol related problems in an outpatient population. Results also indicate that the MAST is unable to overcome client defensiveness or denial. Implications for counselors and suggestions for future research are discussed. (Contains 3 tables, 2 figures, and 74 references.) (SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document