Commentary: What Both Critics and Users of Ability Tests Need to Know

Tests and testing have been the objects of severe criticism from the beginning of the use of the technology, but the more recent focus has been on race and ethnicity. Critics need to know they are criticizing. I describe the what at two levels: a generalized description of the items in tests and the correlates of the total scores on those items. No scientific theory can ignore dependable correlates. Although I discuss general tests primarily, the same approach can be taken with so-called aptitude and achievement tests. My frequent use of in place of score on a test of general intelligence is for convenience and does not imply a switch from description to theory. With respect to group differences, I concentrate on blacks and whites because of the dependable data available.