the role of assessment

The differences between Achievement and Aptitude have always been something that has gotten mixed up in my head. I understand the differences but since there are places where they overlap I sometimes confuse them. I think that these chapters hit at a perfect time especially since some of the presentations deal with the differences. Achievement tests measure one’s current level of knowledge based on prior educational experiences (Drummond & Jones, 2010).  Aptitude tests, on the other hand, are utilized primarily for their predictive capabilities.  Aptitude is defined as “an innate (unlearned) or acquired ability to be good at something” (Drummond & Jones, p. 200).

As school counselors it will be important to know the differences in the types of tests we are using to evaluate our clients. I remember taking aptitude tests in high school and I was never where I thought I should be. Mostly because I struggle to prove my book smarts on normal tests. According to my school guidance counselor I was not college material. I was taking mostly AP classes and doing well in them but because I could not preform the way I should have been on the aptitude tests- she told me that I was going to be unsuccessful.

 Something our program strives to  do is to have us as future clients accurately assess all pieces of information instead of basing future decisions of clients abilities on one test. As "excellent future predictors" colleges often look not only at a student’s scores on aptitude tests, but also at high school GPA, which is calculated based on a student’s achievement record.  An interesting note that I found in relation to admissions tests is that they tend to underpredict the performance of women in college setting (Drummond & Jones).


Drummond, R.J. & Jones, K. (2010). Assessment procedures for counselors and helping professionals ( 7^th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.