Preliminary Evaluation of a Test for Biological Background

A test, composed of 140 items, including names of men and terms associated with biology, was given to 65 undergraduate students with various majors and 25 graduate students in zoology. The undergraduates\u27 records were analyzed to ascertain the effect of giving the test, with and without time limits, to comparable groups. On the basis of data obtained, a revision of the test was made using 100 select items. This revision was given to 18 graduate and 33 undergraduate students. Correlation of odd versus even items for the separate groups yielded reliability coefficients of + .90 after correction for length. A correlation of r, + .53 was obtained between the final examination grades of nineteen persons in one class in biology and the revised test. The results are offered only as preliminary to a more complete study being carried out