424 MEMOIRS NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. [vol. xv, 



3. To assist in selecting men of superior mental ability, who should be considered for promotion, and for tasks 

 of special responsibility. 



4. To aid in the segregation or elimination of the mentally defective. 



Men possessing a moderate degree of English literacy take group examination alpha; the illiterates and foreign 

 take group examination beta; men of exceptionally low intelligence later are examined individually. 



[Here followed a statement of the basis for assignment of letter grades.] 



Grades A and B are the grades typically obtained by officers; C grades by privates; D grades by men of inferior 

 intelligence; E grades by dull laborers and by men either feeble-minded or bordering upon feeblemindedness. 



These tests do not measure occupational fitness nor educational acquirement; they measure intellectual ability. 

 This latter has been shown to be important in estimating military value, since many thousand rankings of men by 

 their officers agree very closely with the results of the tests. 



Psychological rating should be supplemented by knowledge of personal appearance, energy, military knowledge 

 possessed, etc., if used as a basis of promotion. 



Because of the uneven value of the explanatory circulars issued in the camps it was decided 

 to provide a standard form for general use. The following statement was then accordingly 

 prepared in the office of the Surgeon General and forwarded to the camps with the request 

 that it be used, with such changes as special conditions in any given camp might necessitate. 



EXPLANATION OP INTELLIGENCE GRADES. 



The purpose of the psychological tests. — In no previous war has military efficiency depended so much upon the 

 prompt and complete utilization of the intelligence of the individual soldier. The purpose of the psychological tests 

 is to give a quick and fairly accurate classification of the men according to general intelligence. They aid : 



(a) In the discovery of men whose superior ability recommends their advancement. 



(b) In the prompt segregation in Development Battalions of intellectually inferior men whose inaptitude would 

 retard the training of the unit. 



(c) In building organizations of equal or appropriate strength. 



(d) In selecting suitable men for various army occupations or for special training in technical schools. 



(e) In eliminating the feeble-minded. 



What the tests measure. — The tests give a reliable index of a man's ability to learn, to think quickly and accurately, 

 to analyse situations, to maintain a state of mental alertness, and to comprehend instructions. They do not measure 

 loyalty, bravery, dependability, or the emotional traits that make a man "carry on." A man's value to the service 

 is measured by his intelligence, plus other necessary qualifications. 



What the grades mean. — All men are classified by the tests as A, B, C+, C, C — , D, DD — , or E, as follows: 



A. Very superior intelligence. — High officer type when backed by other necessary qualities. 



B. Superior intelligence. — Commissioned officer type and splendid sergeant material. 



C+. High average intelligence. — Good N. C. O. material with occasionally a man worthy of higher rank. 



C. Average intelligence.- — Good private type, with some fair to good N. C. O. material. 

 C— . Low average intelligence. — Ordinary private. 



D. Inferior intelligence. — Largely illiterate or foreign. Usually fair soldiers, but often slow in learning. 

 D-. Very inferior intelligence, but considered fit for regular service. 



E. Mental inferiority, justifying recommendation for Development Battalion, special sendee organizations, rejec- 

 tion or discharge. 



The grades should be consulted. — (a) In the selection of candidates for officers' training schools; (b) in the selection 

 of all noncommissioned officers; (c) in balancing organizations; (d) in picking men for special detail; (e) in the classi- 

 fication and training of men in Development Battalions; (/) in court cases; (g) in the better understanding of men 

 who are in any way peculiar or exceptional. (A) the tests have also been used effectively in the selection of nurses, 

 Y. M. C. A. personnel, etc. 



Important points. 



1. Commissioned officer material is found chiefly in the A and B groups. Men grading C+ should be accepted 

 for O. T. C. only after careful scrutiny. 



2. The majority of noncommissioned officers rate A, B, or C+. Men below C+ should not be entrusted with 

 complicated paper work. 



3. D men are rarely suited for tasks requiring special skill, forethought, resourcefulness or sustained alertness. 



4. It is unsafe to expect D or E men to read and understand written directions. 



5. Only high score men should be selected for tasks that require quick learning and rapid adjustments. 



6. A man's value to the service should not be judged by his intelligence rating alone. 



