Aptitude

We often hear people remark that a particular child has a talent or gift for music, art or painting. This is what is implied by aptitude. An aptitude, therefore, is a special potential in a certain field of performance.

It indicates a special ability, acquired or innate, to learn or develop knowledge of a skill in some specific area. It involves prediction of the probability of success of a person with training in a certain type of work, job or vocation. The aptitude of an individual is the result of both inherent and the environmental factors.

An aptitude is more than mere potential ability. It involves the following:

• Readiness to acquire some skill or knowledge.

• Ability to acquire those skills and knowledge.

• Ability to derive satisfaction from those activities.

So, aptitude refers to a combination of characteristics that indicate an individual’s capacity to acquire some specific knowledge or skill after learning. Knowledge of aptitude can help us to predict an individual’s future performance.

With proper training these abilities can be enhanced. Aptitude can be assessed. Aptitude tests are available in two forms - specialized aptitude tests and general aptitude tests. Example of specialized aptitude tests are Mechanical Aptitude Test and Musical Aptitude Test.

Multiple aptitude tests exist in the form of Test Batteries, which measure aptitude in several separate but homogeneous areas. Differential Aptitude Tests (DAT) and General Aptitude Tests Batteries (GATB) are well known Test Batteries.