Spatial ability test for university students: Development, validity and reliability studies

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a useful test to measure university students’ spatial abilities validly and reliably. Following a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design, first, qualitative methods were used to develop the trial items for the test; next, the psychometric properties of the test were analyzed through quantitative methods using data obtained from 456 university students. As a result, a multiple-choice spatial ability test with 27 items and five options was created, divided into three subtests: spatial relations, spatial visualization, and spatial orientation. The results suggested that scores obtained from the spatial ability test and its subtests are valid and reliable.