18REST-2: A Revised Measure of the RIASEC Model for Large-Scale Assessment With Students

Abstract

This study aims to revise 18REST, a short RIASEC-based measure about vocational interests, developed for large-scale assessment in education. Using a large sample of 63,128 Brazilian students from 5th, 9th, and 12th grade, a revised version with partly new items was proposed, i.e., 18REST-2. 18REST-2 RIASEC scales showed a circular order in 12th grade. Younger students exhibited lower coherence and differentiation in their interests than students in more advanced grades. Gender differences in vocational interests were more pronounced in 9th and 12th grades. Overall, the study established validity and reliability evidence for the 18REST-2 scales for general vocational interest surveys and provided valuable insights into gender and developmental differences in vocational interests in an educational context.