APPENDIX B
The Army “Alpha” and “Beta” Tests
Instructions for giving Alpha Test 1. (To be read aloud by Examiner.)
1. “Attention! ‘Attention’ always means ‘Pencils up.’ Look at the circles at 1. When I say ‘go,’ but not before, make a figure 2 in the second circle and also a cross in the third circle.—Go!” (Allow not over 5 seconds.)
2. “Attention! Look at 2, where the circles have numbers in them. When I say ‘go’ draw a line from Circle 1 to Circle 4 that will pass below Circle 2 and above Circle 3.—Go!” (Allow not over 5 seconds.)
3. “Attention! Look at the square and triangle at 3. When I say ‘go’ make a figure 1 in the space which is in the square but not in the triangle, and also make a cross in the space which is in the triangle and in the square.—Go!” (Allow not over 10 seconds.)
4. “Attention! Look at 4. When I say ‘go’ make a figure 2 in the space which is in the circle but not in the triangle or square, and also make a figure 3 in the space which is in the triangle and circle, but not in the square.—Go!” (Allow not over 10 seconds.)
N. B. Examiner.—In reading 5, don’t pause at the word “circle” as if ending a sentence.
5. “Attention! Look at 5. If ‘taps’ sounds in the evening, then (when I say ‘go’) put a cross in the first circle; if not, draw a line under the word No.—Go!” (Allow not over ten seconds.)
6. “Attention! Look at 6. When I say ‘go’ put in the first circle the right answer to the question: ‘How many months has a year?’ In the second circle do nothing, but in the fifth circle put any number that is wrong answer to the question that you just answered correctly—Go!” (Allow not over 10 seconds.)
7. “Attention! Look at 7. When I say ‘go’ cross out the letter just after F and also draw a line under the second letter after I.—Go!” (Allow not over 10 seconds.)
8. “Attention! Look at 8. Notice the three circles and the three words. When I say ‘go’ make in the first circle the last letter of first word; in the second circle the middle letter of the second word, and in the third circle the first letter of the third word.—Go!” (Allow not over 10 seconds.)
9. “Attention! Look at 9. When I say ‘go’ cross out each number that is more than 50 but less than 60.—Go!” (Allow not over 15 seconds.)
10. “Attention! Look at 10. Notice that the drawing is divided into five parts. When I say ‘go’ put a 4 or a 5 in each of the two largest parts and any number between 6 and 9 in the part next in size to the smallest part.—Go!” (Allow not over 15 seconds.)
11. “Attention! Look at 11. When I say ‘go’ draw a line through every odd number that is not in a square, and also through every odd number that is in a square with a letter.—Go!” (Allow not over 25 seconds.)
12. “Attention! Look at 12. If 4 is more than 2, then (when I say ‘go’) cross out the number 3 unless 3 is more than 5, in which case draw a line under the number 4.—Go!” (Allow not over 10 seconds.)
“During the rest of this examination don’t turn any page forward or backward unless you are told to. Now turn over the page to Test 2.”
Division of Psychology, Medical Department U. S. A.
Authorized by the Surgeon General, Feb. 8, 1918. Edition, May 20, 1918. 100,000
Instructions for Giving Alpha Test 2.
“Attention! Look at the directions at the top of the page while I read them. Get the answers to these examples as quickly as you can. Use the side of this page to figure on if you need to. I will say stop at the end of five minutes. You may not be able to finish all of them, but do as many as you can in the time allowed. The two samples are already answered correctly.—Ready—Go!”
After 5 minutes, say “Stop! Turn over the page to Test 3.”
Get the answers to these examples as quickly as you can. Use the side of this page to figure on if you need to.
| SAMPLES | 1 | How many are 5 men and 10 men? | Answer ( 15) |
| 2 | If you walk 4 miles an hour for 3 hours, how far do you walk? | Answer ( 12) |
| 1 | How many are 60 guns and 5 guns? | Answer ( ) |
| 2 | If you save $9 a month for 3 months, how much will you save? | Answer ( ) |
| 3 | If 48 men are divided into squads of 8, how many squads will there be? | Answer ( ) |
| 4 | Mike had 11 cigars. He bought 2 more and then smoked 7. How many cigars did he have left? | Answer ( ) |
| 5 | A company advanced 8 miles and retreated 2 miles. How far was it then from its first position? | Answer ( ) |
| 6 | How many hours will it take a truck to go 42 miles at the rate of 3 miles an hour? | Answer ( ) |
| 7 | How many pencils can you buy for 60 cents at the rate of 2 for 5 cents? | Answer ( ) |
| 8 | A regiment marched 40 miles in five days. The first day they marched 9 miles, the second day 6 miles, the third 10 miles, the fourth 6 miles. How many miles did they march the last day? | Answer ( ) |
| 9 | If you buy 2 packages of tobacco at 8 cents each and a pipe for 65 cents, how much change should you get from a two-dollar bill? | Answer ( ) |
| 10 | If it takes 4 men 3 days to dig a 120–foot drain, how many men are needed to dig it in half a day? | Answer ( ) |
| 11 | A dealer bought some mules for $2,000. He sold them for $2,400, making $50 on each mule. How many mules were there? | Answer ( ) |
| 12 | A rectangular bin holds 200 cubic feet of lime. If the bin is 10 feet long and 5 feet wide, how deep is it? | Answer ( ) |
| 13 | A recruit spent one-eighth of his spare change for post cards and twice as much for a box of letter paper, and then had $1.00 left. How much money did he have at first? | Answer ( ) |
| 14 | If 3½ tons of clover cost $14, what will 6½ tons cost? | Answer ( ) |
| 15 | A ship has provisions to last her crew of 700 men 2 months. How long would it last 400 men? | Answer ( ) |
| 16 | If an aeroplane goes 250 yards in 10 seconds, how many feet does it go in a fifth of a second? | Answer ( ) |
| 17 | A U-boat makes 8 miles an hour under water and 20 miles on the surface. How long will it take to cross a 100–mile channel, if it has to go two-fifths of the way under water? | Answer ( ) |
| 18 | If 134 squads of men are to dig 3,618 yards of trench, how many yards must be dug by each squad? | Answer ( ) |
| 19 | A certain division contains 5,000 artillery, 15,000 infantry, and 1,000 cavalry. If each branch is expanded proportionately until there are in all 23,100 men, how many will be added to the artillery? | Answer ( ) |
| 20 | A commission house which had already supplied 1,897 barrels of apples to a cantonment delivered the remainder of its stock to 37 mess halls. Of this remainder each mess hall received 54 barrels. What was the total number of barrels supplied? | Answer ( ) |
Instructions for Giving Alpha Test 3.
“Attention! Look at the directions at the top of the page while I read them. ‘This is a test of common sense. Below are sixteen questions. Three answers are given to each question. You are to look at the answers carefully; then make a cross in the square before the best answer to each question, as in the sample:
“‘Why do we use stoves? Because
- ☐ they look well
- ☒ they keep us warm
- ☐ they are black
“‘Here the second answer is the best one and is marked with a cross.
“‘Begin with No. 1 and keep on until time is called.’—Ready—Go!” After 1½ minutes, say “Stop! Turn over the page to Test 4.”
This is a test of common sense. Below are sixteen questions. Three answers are given to each question. You are to look at the answers carefully; then make a cross in the square before the best answer to each question, as in the sample:
- SAMPLE
- Why do we use stoves? Because
- ☐ they look well
- ☒ they keep us warm
- ☐ they are black
Here the second answer is the best one and is marked with a cross. Begin with No. 1 and keep on until time is called.
- 1
- It is wiser to put some money aside and not spend it all, so that you may
- ☐ prepare for old age or sickness
- ☐ collect all the different kinds of money
- ☐ gamble when you wish
- 2
- Shoes are made of leather, because
- ☐ it is tanned
- ☐ it is tough, pliable and warm
- ☐ it can be blackened
- 3
- Why do soldiers wear wrist watches rather than pocket watches? Because
- ☐ they keep better time
- ☐ they are harder to break
- ☐ they are handier
- 4
- The main reason why stone is used for building purposes is because
- ☐ it makes a good appearance
- ☐ it is strong and lasting
- ☐ it is heavy
- 5
- Why is beef better food than cabbage? Because
- ☐ it tastes better
- ☐ it is more nourishing
- ☐ it is harder to obtain
- 6
- If some one does you a favor, what should you do?
- ☐ try to forget it
- ☐ steal for him if he asks you to
- ☐ return the favor
- 7
- If you do not get a letter from home which you know was written, it may be because
- ☐ it was lost in the mails
- ☐ you forgot to tell your people to write
- ☐ the postal service has been discontinued
- 8
- The main thing the farmers do is to
- ☐ supply luxuries
- ☐ make work for the unemployed
- ☐ feed the nation
- 9
- If a man who can’t swim should fall into a river, he should
- ☐ yell for help and try to scramble out
- ☐ dive to the bottom and crawl out
- ☐ lie on his back and float
- 10
- Glass insulators are used to fasten telegraph wires because
- ☐ the glass keeps the pole from being burned
- ☐ the glass keeps the current from escaping
- ☐ the glass is cheap and attractive
- 11
- If your load of coal gets stuck in the mud, what should you do?
- ☐ leave it there
- ☐ get more horses or men to pull it out
- ☐ throw off the load
- 12
- Why are criminals locked up?
- ☐ to protect society
- ☐ to get even with them
- ☐ to make them work
- 13
- Why should a married man have his life insured? Because
- ☐ death may come at any time
- ☐ insurance companies are usually honest
- ☐ his family will not then suffer if he dies
- 14
- In Leap Year February has 29 days because
- ☐ February is a short month
- ☐ some people are born on February 29th
- ☐ otherwise the calendar would not come out right
- 15
- If you are held up and robbed in a strange city, you should
- ☐ apply to the police for help
- ☐ ask the first man you meet for money to get home
- ☐ borrow some money at a bank
- 16
- Why should we have Congressmen? Because
- ☐ the people must be ruled
- ☐ it insures truly representative government
- ☐ the people are too many to meet and make their laws
Instructions for Giving Alpha Test 4.
“Attention! Look at the directions at the top of the page while I read them.” (Examiner.—Read slowly.)
“‘If the two words of a pair mean the same or nearly the same draw a line under “same.” If they mean the opposite or nearly the opposite, draw a line under “opposite.” If you cannot be sure, guess. The two samples are already marked as they should be.’—Ready—Go!”
After 1½ minutes, say “Stop! Turn over the page to Test 5.” (Pause.) “Now you have to turn your books around this way.” (Examiner illustrates the necessary rotation.)
If the two words of a pair mean the same or nearly the same, draw a line under same. If they mean the opposite or nearly the opposite, draw a line under opposite. If you cannot be sure, guess. The two samples are already marked as they should be
| SAMPLES | good—bad | same—opposite | |
| little—small | same—opposite | ||
| 1 | no—yes | same—opposite | 1 |
| 2 | day—night | same—opposite | 2 |
| 3 | go—leave | same—opposite | 3 |
| 4 | begin—commence | same—opposite | 4 |
| 5 | bitter—sweet | same—opposite | 5 |
| 6 | assume—suppose | same—opposite | 6 |
| 7 | command—obey | same—opposite | 7 |
| 8 | tease—plague | same—opposite | 8 |
| 9 | diligent—industrious | same—opposite | 9 |
| 10 | corrupt—honest | same—opposite | 10 |
| 11 | toward—from | same—opposite | 11 |
| 12 | masculine—feminine | same—opposite | 12 |
| 13 | complex—simple | same—opposite | 13 |
| 14 | sacred—hallowed | same—opposite | 14 |
| 15 | often—seldom | same—opposite | 15 |
| 16 | ancient—modern | same—opposite | 16 |
| 17 | enormous—gigantic | same—opposite | 17 |
| 18 | confer—grant | same—opposite | 18 |
| 19 | acquire—lose | same—opposite | 19 |
| 20 | compute—calculate | same—opposite | 20 |
| 21 | defile—purify | same—opposite | 21 |
| 22 | apprehensive—fearful | same—opposite | 22 |
| 23 | sterile—fertile | same—opposite | 23 |
| 24 | chasm—abyss | same—opposite | 24 |
| 25 | somber—gloomy | same—opposite | 25 |
| 26 | vestige—trace | same—opposite | 26 |
| 27 | vilify—praise | same—opposite | 27 |
| 28 | finite—limited | same—opposite | 28 |
| 29 | contradict—corroborate | same—opposite | 29 |
| 30 | immune—susceptible | same—opposite | 30 |
| 31 | credit—debit | same—opposite | 31 |
| 32 | assiduous—diligent | same—opposite | 32 |
| 33 | transient—permanent | same—opposite | 33 |
| 34 | palliate—mitigate | same—opposite | 34 |
| 35 | execrate—revile | same—opposite | 35 |
| 36 | extinct—extant | same—opposite | 36 |
| 37 | pertinent—relevant | same—opposite | 37 |
| 38 | synchronous—simultaneous | same—opposite | 38 |
| 39 | supercilious—disdainful | same—opposite | 39 |
| 40 | abstruse—recondite | same—opposite | 40 |
Instructions for Giving Alpha Test 5.
“Attention! Look at the directions at the top of the page while I read them.” (Examiner.—Read slowly.)
“The words a eats cow grass in that order are mixed up and don’t make a sentence; but they would make a sentence if put in the right order: a cow eats grass, and this statement is true.
“Again, the words horses feathers have all would make a sentence if put in the order all horses have feathers, but this statement is false.
“Below are 24 mixed-up sentences. Some of them are true and some are false. When I say ‘go,’ take these sentences one at a time. Think what each would say if the words were straightened out, but don’t write them yourself. Then, if what it would say is true draw a line under the word ‘true’; if what it would say is false, draw a line under the word ‘false.’ If you cannot be sure, guess. The two samples are already marked as they should be. Begin with No. 1 and work right down the page until time is called. ‘Ready—Go!’”
After 2 minutes, say “Stop! Turn over the page to Test 6.”
The words A EATS COW GRASS in that order are mixed up and don’t make a sentence; but they would make a sentence if put in the right order: A COW EATS GRASS, and this statement is true.
Again, the words HORSES FEATHERS HAVE ALL would make a sentence if put in the order: ALL HORSES HAVE FEATHERS, but this statement is false.
Below are twenty-four mixed-up sentences. Some of them are true and some are false. When I say “go,” take these sentences one at a time. Think what each would say if the words were straightened out, but don’t write them yourself. Then, if what it would say is true, draw a line under the word “true”; if what it would say is false, draw a line under the word “false.” If you can not be sure, guess. The two samples are already marked as they should be. Begin with No. 1 and work right down the page until time is called.
| SAMPLES | a eats cow grass | true | false | |
| horses feathers have all | true | false | ||
| 1 | oranges yellow are | true | false | 1 |
| 2 | hear are with to ears | true | false | 2 |
| 3 | noise cannon never make a | true | false | 3 |
| 4 | trees in nests build birds | true | false | 4 |
| 5 | oil water not and will mix | true | false | 5 |
| 6 | bad are shots soldiers all | true | false | 6 |
| 7 | fuel wood are coal and for used | true | false | 7 |
| 8 | moon earth the only from feet twenty the is | true | false | 8 |
| 9 | to life water is necessary | true | false | 9 |
| 10 | are clothes all made cotton of | true | false | 10 |
| 11 | horses automobile an are than slower | true | false | 11 |
| 12 | tropics is in the produced rubber | true | false | 12 |
| 13 | leaves the trees in lose their fall | true | false | 13 |
| 14 | place pole is north comfortable a the | true | false | 14 |
| 15 | sand of made bread powder and is | true | false | 15 |
| 16 | sails is steamboat usually by propelled a | true | false | 16 |
| 17 | is the salty in water all lakes | true | false | 17 |
| 18 | usually judge can we actions man his by a | true | false | 18 |
| 19 | men misfortune have good never | true | false | 19 |
| 20 | tools valuable is for sharp making steel | true | false | 20 |
| 21 | due sometimes calamities are accident to | true | false | 21 |
| 22 | forget trifling friends grievances never | true | false | 22 |
| 23 | feeling is of painful exaltation the | true | false | 23 |
| 24 | begin a and apple acorn ant words with the | true | false | 24 |
Instructions for Giving Alpha Test 6.
(N. B. Examiner.—Give these instructions very slowly).
“Attention! Look at the first sample row of figures at the top of the page—2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, the two numbers that should come next are, of course, 14, 16.
“Look at the second sample—9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4; the two numbers that should come next are 3, 2.
“Look at the third sample—2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4; the two numbers that should come next are 5, 5.
“Now look at the fourth sample—1, 7, 2, 7, 3, 7; the next two numbers would, of course, be 4, 7.
“Look at each row of numbers below and on the two dotted lines write the two numbers that should come next.—Ready—Go!”
After 3 minutes, say “Stop! Turn over the page to Test 7.”
| SAMPLES | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | |
| 1 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 7 |
Look at each row of numbers below, and on the two dotted lines write the two numbers that should come next.
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | ..... | ..... |
| 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | ..... | ..... |
| 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | ..... | ..... |
| 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | ..... | ..... |
| 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 | ..... | ..... |
| 8 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | ..... | ..... |
| 5 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 21 | 25 | ..... | ..... |
| 8 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 17 | ..... | ..... |
| 27 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 19 | ..... | ..... |
| 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 32 | ..... | ..... |
| 19 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 6 | ..... | ..... |
| 11 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 15 | ..... | ..... |
| 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 17 | ..... | ..... |
| 18 | 14 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 12 | ..... | ..... |
| 29 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 19 | 14 | ..... | ..... |
| 20 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 9 | ..... | ..... |
| 81 | 27 | 9 | 3 | 1 | ⅓ | ..... | ..... |
| 1 | 4 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 36 | ..... | ..... |
| 16 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 14 | 19 | ..... | ..... |
| 3 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 18 | 36 | ..... | ..... |
Instructions for Giving Alpha Test 7.
“Attention! Look at the first sample at the top of the page: Sky—blue ∷ grass—table, green, warm, big.
“Notice the four words in heavy type. One of them—green—is underlined. Grass is green just as the sky is blue.
“Look at the second sample: Fish—swims ∷ man—paper, time, walks, girl.
“Here the word walks is underlined. A man walks and a fish swims.
“Look at the third sample: Day—night ∷ white—red, black, clear, pure.
“Here the word black is underlined because black is the opposite of white just as night is the opposite of day.
“In each of the lines below the first two words are related to each other in some way. What you are to do in each line is to see what the relation is between the first two words and underline the word in heavy type that is related in the same way to the third word. Begin with No. 1 and mark as many sets as you can before time is called.—Ready—Go!”
After 3 minutes, say “Stop! Turn over the page to Test 8.”
| SAMPLES | sky—blue ∷ grass— table green warm big |
| fish—swims ∷ man— paper time walks girl | |
| day—night ∷ white— red black clear pure |
In each of the lines below, the first two words are related to each other in some way. What you are to do in each line is to see what the relation is between the first two words, and underline the word in heavy type that is related in the same way to the third word. Begin with No. 1 and mark as many sets as you can before time is called.
| 1 | shoe—foot ∷ hat— kitten head knife penny | 1 |
| 2 | pup—dog ∷ lamb— red door sheep book | 2 |
| 3 | spring—summer ∷ autumn— winter warm harvest rise | 3 |
| 4 | devil—angel ∷ bad— mean disobedient defamed good | 4 |
| 5 | finger—hand ∷ toe— body foot skin nail | 5 |
| 6 | legs—frog ∷ wings— eat swim bird nest | 6 |
| 7 | chew—teeth ∷ smell— sweet stink odor nose | 7 |
| 8 | lion—roar ∷ dog— drive pony bark harness | 8 |
| 9 | cat—tiger ∷ dog— wolf bark bite snap | 9 |
| 10 | good—bad ∷ long— tall big snake short | 10 |
| 11 | giant—large ∷ dwarf— jungle small beard ugly | 11 |
| 12 | winter—season ∷ January— February day month Christmas | 12 |
| 13 | skating—winter ∷ swimming— diving floating hole summer | 13 |
| 14 | blonde—light ∷ brunette— dark hair brilliant blonde | 14 |
| 15 | love—friend ∷ hate— malice saint enemy dislike | 15 |
| 10 | egg—bird ∷ seed— grow plant crack germinate | 16 |
| 17 | dig—trench ∷ build— run house spade bullet | 17 |
| 18 | agree—quarrel ∷ friend— comrade need mother enemy | 18 |
| 19 | palace—king ∷ hut— peasant cottage farm city | 19 |
| 20 | cloud-burst—shower ∷ cyclone— bath breeze destroy West | 20 |
| 21 | Washington—Adams ∷ first— president second last Bryan | 21 |
| 22 | parents—command ∷ children— men shall women obey | 22 |
| 23 | diamond—rare ∷ iron— common silver ore steel | 23 |
| 24 | yes—affirmative ∷ no— think knowledge yes negative | 24 |
| 25 | hour—day ∷ day— night week hour noon | 25 |
| 26 | eye—head ∷ window— key floor room door | 26 |
| 27 | clothes—man ∷ hair— horse comb beard hat | 27 |
| 28 | draw—picture ∷ make— destroy table break hard | 28 |
| 29 | automobile—wagon ∷ motorcycle— ride speed bicycle car | 29 |
| 30 | granary—wheat ∷ library— read books paper chairs | 30 |
| 31 | Caucasian—English ∷ Mongolian— Chinese Indian negro yellow | 31 |
| 32 | Indiana—United States ∷ part— hair China Ohio whole | 32 |
| 33 | esteem—despise ∷ friends— Quakers enemies lovers men | 33 |
| 34 | abide—stay ∷ depart— come hence leave late | 34 |
| 35 | abundant—scarce ∷ cheap— buy costly bargain nasty | 35 |
| 36 | whale—large ∷ thunder— loud rain lightning kill | 36 |
| 37 | reward—hero ∷ punish— God everlasting pain traitor | 37 |
| 38 | music—soothing ∷ noise— hear distracting sound report | 38 |
| 39 | book—writer ∷ statue— sculptor liberty picture state | 39 |
| 40 | wound—pain ∷ health— sickness disease exhilaration doctor | 40 |
Instructions for Giving Alpha Test 8.
“Attention! Look at the directions at the top of the page while I read them.” (Examiner.—Read slowly.)
“Notice the sample sentences: People hear with the—eyes—ears—nose—mouth. The correct word is ears, because it makes the truest sentence. In each sentences below you have four choices for the last word. Only one of them is correct. In each sentence draw a line under the one of these four words which makes the truest sentence. If you cannot be sure, guess. The two samples are already marked as they should be—Ready—Go!”
After 4 minutes, say “Stop! Turn over the page to Test 1 again. In the upper right-hand corner, where it says ‘Group No. —,’ put the number 101” (or 102, 103, etc., according to the number of this group in the examiner’s series of groups).