Prepared for the Centennial of The Ohio State University

Ullman, Robert W.

KnowledgeBank at OSU

1920 HISTORY OF TESTING AT THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY Psychological testing of abilities, aptitudes, and proficiencies had its beginnings in the Department of Psychology and appears to have made its debut in the early 1920's following the end of World War I. At this time much of the research and experimentation was accomplish-ed by Drs. Luella and Sidney Pressey and Dr. Herbert A. Toops. Intelligence tests were administered to all new students and in the Freshman Manual of 1929, Dr. Luella Pressey states that "the test at Ohio State requires two hours and covers arithmetic reasoning, same-opposite vocabulary, grammatical analogies, number completion and reading comprehension." Achievement tests were also given in English, mathematics, science, foreign languages, and reading. Again to quote Dr. Pressey, "If a test shows that a student cannot read with a speed beyond the eighth grade, he is sure to have trouble covering his college assignments." Placement tests were also administered to new students in the twenties to "allocate" students into higher, medium and lower sec-tions with the work in each section suited to the abilities of the students. One of the foremost psychologists of our time, Dr. Herbert A. Toops, devoted approximately half a century to the development and refine-ment of The Ohio State University Psychological Test (OSUPT). This , 1 l l ! i i "J\J " 1940 1947 1962 - 2 -work was accomplished through the University Committee on Intelli-gence Tests and The Ohio College Association. The heritage and prestige of this instrument was national and many high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States initiated their testing programs with the Ohio State University Psychological Test. Except for the OSUPT, most testing at the university was administered through the Junior Deans of each college and was coordinated by Dr. c. W. Reeder and Dr. E. L. Beck. It was during this period that the Occupational Opportunities Service was initiated at the University. This service provided one day of aptitude and interest testing follow-ed by counseling upon the meaning and implication of the results to the student. All prospective students were invited to take advantage of this opportunity. Dr. Frank Fletcher became Director of the University Counseling and Testing Center. During this time the Occupational Opportunities Ser-vice was expanded, counseling services were developed for all students and professional staff were utilized to conduct research upon effec-tive testing and placement procedures. The responsibilities for testing and evaluation were removed from the Counseling and Testing Center and assigned to the Orientation and Test-ing Center under the direction of Dr. Robert W. Ullman. Test adminis-tration for the entire university became further centralized. Requests 1969 - 3 -for entrance tests, placement and proficiency tests, referrals from the Counseling Center, college offices and other university depart-ments are all coordinated and administered through the Orientation and Testing Center. Tests administered during 1968 numbered over 30,000. Through administrative reorganization, the testing function became a part of the Center for Measurement and Evaluation and presently is functioning as the University Testing Center. Submitted by Robert W. Ullman • 

History of Testing at The Ohio State University

https://kb.osu.edu/bitstream/1811/76728/1/ARV_OSU_Centennial_Histories_Testing.pdf

History of Testing at The Ohio State University

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