As was stated in the body of the discussion, each package of test booklets sold is accompanied by a “stencil” which fits over the pages of the printed test in such a manner as to bring the correct answer directly alongside the answer checked or written by the candidate examined, with the result that there is small opportunity for errors in the judgment of the persons marking the answers. If the word checked or written corresponds with the word or words printed on the stencil at that point, the question has been answered correctly, while if the word checked or written by the candidate is less applicable than the one appearing on the stencil, the response is to be marked incorrect. With the aid of the stencils the Mentimeter tests may be marked correctly by inexpensive clerical assistants in from one third to one tenth of the time that would be required for the same work by the most intelligent men working without the stencils.
No attempt has been made to print here an exhaustive list of correct answers to each question. The answers printed as correct are merely typical in most cases of the quality of replies that should be accepted. Anything as appropriate as or more appropriate than the printed answer may be given full credit, while anything less satisfactory is to be given no credit at all. To print here all of the correct answers to each question would take more pages than can be allowed for this section of the Appendix and would in many cases cause more confusion than clearness of thought. It is suggested that any question of right or wrong answers which is difficult to decide should be settled arbitrarily by the reader and that a note be kept of just how the matter was decided, in order that any later investigator may have the benefit of his judgment. In some of the tests new solutions will continually be appearing, even after it seems certain that all of the correct answers have been found and catalogued.
MENTIMETER NO. 1: Typical Performances of Young Children.
Success in this test is measured by performances in response to situations created by the examiner to a much greater degree than by answers to questions asked by the examiner. The directions themselves give the answers in most cases, and in the other cases the correct answers depend upon such facts as the name or sex of the individual being tested. No set of answers is printed here for these tests, therefore, since to do so would be to reprint exactly the directions appearing on pages [115] to 128, which the reader should consult carefully and even commit to memory before undertaking to apply the tests to any infants or young children.
MENTIMETER NO. 2: Pictorial Absurdities.
In order to receive credit the check mark on each picture should be placed in such a way as to indicate unmistakably the part of the picture which is incorrect—in such a way as to leave no doubt whatever as to the candidate’s having found and identified the incongruous element. The following are the elements that should be checked in each picture:
1. The front leg or foot. 2. The lower spout on the water pitcher. 3. The mouth on the forehead. 4. The horns (either one may be checked) on the horse’s head. 5. The candle on the right arm of the electric fixture. 6. The rat’s ears. 7. Either end of the spy-glass. 8. The next window to the rear on the third floor. 9. The postage stamp. 10. The sock used as a necktie. 11. The long stem of the lowest leaf. 12. The flag (flying in the opposite direction from the smoke and weather vane). 13. Either of the lights on the Ford. 14. The left front foot. 15. The man between first and second base (third man from the right). 16. The space between 4 and 5. 17. The claw hammer with which the man is driving the spike. 18. Either of the five fingers of the right hand. 19. The driver (facing the tail).
MENTIMETER NO. 3: Maze Threading.
No list of correct answers can be printed for this test. The stencil provided with the test blanks shows exactly what the correct and most economical threading of each maze is, but the reader can find this solution for himself if he will take the time and make the effort. No credit should be given for any maze not completely traced or for any maze in which a printed line has been crossed. A candidate who has gotten into a “blind alley” but has retraced his way and ultimately been successful in getting through the maze should have full credit for that particular maze.