Psychology at Sweet Briar

 

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The Unvalidated Graduate School Potential Test

Your answers to the following 22 yes-no questions (modified from Fretz & Stang, 1988) will give you a good idea of your potential for success in graduate school as determined by your current values and level of motivation. Answer each question honestly and truthfully. This is not a standardized or validated test, and its items are so transparent that anyone can fake them. Unless you are completely honest with yourself, the results will be of no value.

_____ 1. Does the idea of living at near-poverty level for 2-7 years and studying most of the time repulse you?

_____ 2. Do you enjoy writing term papers?

_____ 3. Does the idea of making verbal presentations of academic material in front of a group bother you?

_____ 4. Do you enjoy reading psychology books even if they are not assigned?

_____ 5. Do you put off studying for tests or writing papers as long as possible?

_____ 6. Do you often give up desirable social opportunities in order to study?

_____ 7. Do you want to earn a high salary when you finish graduate school?

_____ 8. Do you like to study?

_____ 9. Do you have trouble concentrating on your studies for hours at a time?

_____ 10. Do you occasionally read recent issues of psychology journals?

_____ 11. Do you dislike library research?

_____ 12. Do you have a drive to enter the profession of psychology?

_____ 13. Are there many other careers, besides being a psychologist, that you would like to pursue?

_____ 14. Do you intend to work full-time at a career?

_____ 15. Are you sick of school right now?

_____ 16. Are your grades mostly A's and B's?

_____ 17. Do you want to stop being a student and start being a real, wage-earning human?

_____ 18. Did you do well (i.e., receive an A or B) in statistics?

_____ 19. Do you feel a Ph.D. is desirable primarily because of the social status it gives to those who hold it?

_____ 20. Do you like doing research?

_____ 21. Do you dislike competing with other students?

_____ 22. Can you carry out projects and study without direction from anyone else?

Give yourself a point for every even-numbered question you answered with a "yes" and for every odd-numbered question you answered with a "no." The higher your score, the higher your potential for success in graduate school.