The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-01
WILL TEST MIND
Prospective Students at II. u.
May Have Intelligence Rated.
Would Aid in Selecting Courses
Says Dean Kelly.
NOT An ENTRANCE EXAMINATION
But Administration May Bar
Certain Applicants.
Seriously Consider Plan TO
Raise Grade Standard.

Lawrence, Kan. March 1.-Intelh-
gence tests as a means of assisting
prospective students at the University
of Kansas to select their college
courses, are being given serious con-
sideration by the administrative off
GERS of the University. Not only IS 1t
hoped that twill be possible to give
prospective students adequate advice
as to which courses they can most
likely pursue successfully. but il is an
ticipated that il will be possible to
find in advance. and TO warn that
small proportion of entering students
who are sure to find it impossible 10
carry on work of the university sian
dard.
I'VE have no intention OF going
back TO the old fashion of college en-
trance examinations. said +. J. Kelly,
dean of administration of the univer-
sjty but a number of American uni
yersities have found that there is a
marked relation between the results
OF Intelligence tests and the class
room grades that students make.
Would Indicate Courses
Right here in the University of
Kansas we are 4 plying the acid test
of grades 30 figures obtained in intel
l.gence tests given the freshman class
last December. The comparisons
have not been completed. but the re-
suits are Illuminating. If we can be
sure that low ratings in intelligence
tests indicate that a student will very
likely have difficulty in carrying on
University courses, we VIII be able to
save the student the expense of n
half-year in the university. and save
the state the expense of attempting to
teach him something Tor which he is
not prepared
IF we could have prospective
freshmen here for a week before en-
rolIHent time. give them properly
prepared tests. and thus ascertain
who are the ones most likely to need
advice in the selection of their courses
If they are qualified to do university
work at all-the standard of univer-
sity work would be raised greatly.
1t the same time we want to do Moth
ing that will bar the ambitious stu
dent. We wish only to advise and not
&c command
Tests Not Absolutely Sure.
Prof. Curt Rosenow. under whose
q 'rection psychological tests are
given. emphasized Dean Kelly's posi-
ton. that intelligence tests. no matter
how certain their results might be as
applied TO groups. could not be taken
as certain induces of the capabilities
of individuals.
Just because an individual made
low grade in an intelligence test in a
subject related to mathematics. would
not be n sure sign he could not take
q mathematics course successfully. but
II would warrant conference with the
individual. and possibly advice to him
that he direct his studies in other
channels" said Professor Rosenow.
The studies we have been making
Of thezresuts of last fails intelligence
tests relate more to general admins
tTatve problems of the university than
they do to the Individual Standards
of grading by faculty members and
the demands upon the students made
by specified courses are indicated
more surely by the results of the
tests"
81 Hold Good in the Main.
?. C. Brandt. dean of the college of
liberal arts. declared the COMPARISON
of the list of students on probation for
making low grades in intelligence tests
was a. times most uncanny. Bearing
out Professor Rosenow's point that
results were more reliable for the
group than for the individual, was an
example of q student on probation for
low grades. who ranked among the
highest 90 per cent in intelligence
tests. An investigation by the deans
office disclosed a student who ad
nnitted he had allowed outside inter-
ests to interfere with class room work.
Dean Brandt pointed out also an
example of a student passing low in
the intelligence tests and low in class
work, who came from family in
which there was much sickness, and
who imagined himself also as chroni-
cally ill.
-Iu the main. tho" said Dean
Brandt, the intelligence tests gave
surprisingly accurate forecast of what
the semester grades now coming in are
disclosing