INTELLIGENCE TESTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18182, 19 September 1924, Page 7

INTELLIGENCE TESTS.

. + USEFUL ADJUNCT TO EXAMINATIONS. In the course of his address. Profes(Sir Robert Stout), who wae to have given an address on "The Outlook of Civilisation," but was prevented from doing so 011 account of indisposition, Professo:: E. Marsden, Assistant-Direc-tor of Education, addressed "Wellington Rotarians fit the weekly luncheon this week on the subject of intelligence tests. In the course of his address, Professor Marsden dwelt on the value of the test from many points of view. While admitting that they wore not whaily good, and that much was left out, Professor Marsden said that the te.sts should not be condemned as so much ' nonsense. Intelligence was difficult to define, but perhaps it could best bo defined as quick-wittedness plus commonsense. Whatever might be said for or against the tests, it was certain that they were very useful in detecting chil--1 dren either of high intellect or low in--1 tellect, and they could be used in an 1 endeavour to help children to choose a ! line of work to which th6y -vere best ! suited. For instance, by roeana of the ; tests, thov could pick out the. geniuses cf the country. These boys or girk, , as the result of circumstances, might j l>e lost to the country. Professor Mars- | den gave some verj interesting csamI pies of the manner in which tho tests j worked out in different cases, and reI marked that although it was pot intended . tbat they should replace- the present system of examinations tliev , could be used as a very useful and inj ntriictive adjunct to tlieae ex am fa a- | tions« .