INTRODUCTION

An Aptitude is a component of a competency to do a certain kind of work. At a certain level, this can also be considered as “Talent”. Aptitudes may be physical or mental. Aptitude is not developed knowledge, understanding, learned or acquired abilities [skills] or attitude. The innate nature of Aptitude is in contrast to achievement, which represents ability or knowledge that is gained through Learning.

Aptitude [which formerly carried implications of innateness] has now been specialized in technical writing to refer to the fact that the individual can be broad by a specified amount of training to a specified level of ability, either general or special, but usually the latter.Aptitude is expressed in interest and is reflected in current performance which is expected to improve overtime with training. Aptitude and ability tests are designed to assess your Logical Reasoning or Thinking capabilities. They consist of a number of multiple choice questions and are strictly timed.

DBDA [David’s Battery of Differential Abilities] is a standardized procedure for objectively measuring what a person is able to do at the time he is being assessed and under the conditions of assessment included in this concept is the realization that individual behavior including mental processes, is neither consistent nor stable. Although scores for groups may be relatively stable, it does not follow that the Individual score within a group will be similarly stable. At the fact that DBDA may have high predictive validity does not mean that any Individual taking this test may be accorded the same predict ability as the group itself. Because the ability is a product of nature as well as the nurture. An Individual’s mental functioning will be influenced by many extrinsic factors such as cultural exposures, including quality of education, as well as intrinsic factors such as personality characteristics. The most we may for the DBDA scores is that describes how the individual performs here and now and that all things being equal, he will probably continue to the function in a like manner.

ABILITIES MEASURED IN DBDA

Verbal Ability (VA)

Verbal ability refers to the comprehension of words and ideas, or a person’s ability to understand writing language. It is one of the most important human ability. In the DBDA, verbal ability is assessed by the two different kinds of subtests: vocabulary (VA PART 1) and the understanding proverbs (VA PART 2).This ability can be expected to figure prominently in success in academic and school related performances. It is predictor of occupations involving much reading and writing of reports, and so on.This factor is assessed by taking the sum of a person’s scores on verbal ability-1 and verbal ability-2. In this and other test of DBDA, no correlation for guessing is applied.

Verbal ability part 1 involves word meaning exercised to access the subject’s knowledge of English words and his ability to abstract and generalize relationship among words. Verbal ability part 2 involves the ability to recognize the proverbs and understand their latent meaning, and ability assumed to be essentially the same as that of comprehension of language and usage of words in day to day life.

Numerical Ability (NA)

Numerical ability refers to facility in manipulating numbers quickly and accurately, in tasks involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, squaring, dealing with fractions etc... numerical ability is distinct from both reasoning mathematical knowledge and is with the more basic trait of facility and fluency in fundamental number operations. This ability is generally formed high in individuals who are successful in mathematical, scientific and technical subjects. It is a predictor of occupations involving engineering, technological, data processing jobs etc...

The problems to be solved in numerical ability test are not difficult. But they have to done in very limited time. This increasing the difficulty level for rapid calculation. In combination with the verbal ability score, both the tests are a good measure of general learning ability.

Spatial Ability(SA)

Spatial ability is concerned with perceiving spatial patterns accurately, and following the orientation of figures when their position in a plane or space is altered. In DBDA, spatial ability is assessed by items in which the subjects must be able to determine quickly whether two-dimensional figures have been merely turned around (rotated) or, they are turned over and rotated (reversed).

This ability is found to be high in individual who are successful in geometrical drawings, drafting, and vocational training and in art and design. It is a predictor of occupation involving figural materials, such as those dealing with shop work, construction.

Closure Ability (CA)

Closure ability is primarily a perceptual ability measured by the DBDA. It refers to the ability to see quickly a whole stimulus when parts of it are missing, or to “complete the gestalt “. The principle of closure has been adopted from Gestalt psychology, which says that brain tends to fill in gaps in order to perceive complete meaningful forms.

Closure ability can be expected to be relevant to success in courses and occupation involving speedy visual perceptions, such as those concerned with office and shop work etc…

Clerical Ability (CL)

Clerical ability is perceptual activity primary concerned with making rapid evaluations of features of visual stimuli. In clerical ability, the perceptual speed and accuracy is measured by items in which the examinee must rapidly assess the sameness or difference of paired groups of letters and numbers.

Little or no “higher level” of intellectual difficulty is involved in this test. But since intelligence or mental ability components are adequately measured by other tests of this battery, it was decided to include this ability also due to high vocational value of this ability Clerical ability is important to success in many task involving record – keeping, filing, taking inventories etc,.

Reasoning Ability (RA)

Reasoning ability refers to the ability to apply the process of induction or to reason from some specific information to a general principle.

Reasoning ability is important to success in many areas particularly those that stress logic, such as courses and occupation in mathematics or related pursuits, computer programming, engineering, sciences and scientific technology.

Mechanical Ability (MA)

Mechanical ability refers to an understanding of basic mechanical principle, simple machines, tools, electrical and automotive facts. This factor can also we referred to as “mechanical information” or “mechanical experiences”, as mechanical ability score is dependent to a great extent on acquired knowledge and skill in such areas.

The mechanical ability test is useful in those curricula and occupations where an appreciation of the principle of common physical force is required .mechanical ability score is relevant for courses and occupations concerned with machinery and shop, factory, carpentry, engineering technologies. It is important to realize that mechanical ability scores are of less educational and vocational significances for girls than for boys

Psychomotor Ability (PA)

Psychomotor ability refers to precise movements requiring eye- hand coordination under highly speeded conditions. Psychomotor ability can be considered one of fine- muscle dexterity, primarily manual. The test requires the subject to draw finely controlled pencil lines, as quickly as he can, in specially constructed figures.

The psychomotor ability test can also be associated with mechanical ability test, as its importance to success in mechanical- technological endeavors is well established

METHODOLOGY

AIM

To find out whether the students of various departments have chosen appropriate courses as per their aptitude.

TOOL

DBDA (David’s Battery of Differential Abilities).

SAMPLE

The sample includes a total of 269 students of various departments from St. Mary’s College, Thrissur.

LIMITATIONS

(a)A pilot study was not taken into consideration

(b)The test was not administered individually.

(c)Since the study was a group task, it was difficult to know whether the students responded genuinely.

RESULT

Table 1-9 shows the scores obtained by the students from various departments-Botany, History, Bio-technology, Economics, Chemistry, BCA, Microbiology, English and Mathematics in different areas of the Aptitude test.

Sl No / Name / CA / CL / MA / NA / PM / RA / SA / VA / Highly scored area
1 / Reshma Aravind / 3 / 2 / 2 / 5 / 5 / 4 / 7 / 5 / Spatial ability,
2 / Athira Soman / 5 / 5 / 1 / 3 / 5 / 6 / 4 / 6 / Verbal ability,Reasoning
3 / Sneha.A.K / 1 / 4 / 1 / 4 / 3 / 5 / 5 / 1 / Spatial ability,reasoning
4 / Aparna.P.S / 4 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 7 / 5 / 3 / Reasoning ability
5 / Jyothi.C. J / 1 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 6 / 2 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor ability
6 / AthiraHaridas / 1 / 4 / 2 / 6 / 5 / 5 / 4 / 3 / Numerical ability
7 / Stephy.P.S / 1 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 6 / 2 / 1 / 4 / Psychomotor ability
8 / Sinni Francis / 3 / 6 / 6 / 3 / 10 / 8 / 3 / 5 / Psychomotor ability
9 / Sreeya Francis / 2 / 2 / 2 / 2 / 5 / 5 / 4 / 3 / Psychomotor ability,Reasoning
10 / Aiswarya.A.G / 2 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 3 / 1 / 4 / Psychomotor ability,
11 / Rosemariya Pauly / 2 / 4 / 1 / 4 / 9 / 1 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor ability
12 / Reeba Rose.B.P / 1 / 4 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 1 / 5 / Reasoning ability
13 / Neema Babu / 1 / 1 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 1 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor ability
14 / Alisha Valsan.C / 2 / 4 / 1 / 7 / 6 / 6 / 3 / 2 / Numerical ability
15 / Krishnapriya.P / 1 / 2 / 1 / 1 / 5 / 4 / 1 / 3 / Psychomotor ability
16 / Neethu.P.B / 4 / 3 / 0 / 3 / 8 / 6 / 1 / 4 / Psychomotor ability
17 / Joseena.E.F / 1 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 5 / 1 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor ability
18 / Reshma.K / 2 / 4 / 1 / 6 / 5 / 2 / 2 / 5 / Numerical ability
19 / Deina Davis / 3 / 4 / 2 / 2 / 5 / 5 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor ability,Resoning
20 / Akhila.K.R / 4 / 3 / 1 / 2 / 4 / 1 / 1 / 3 / Psychomotor ability,closure
21 / Merin James / 7 / 4 / 1 / 7 / 4 / 4 / 1 / 3 / Closure ability,numerical
22 / Neelima.T.G / 1 / 1 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 1 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor ability
23 / Athira.C.B / 1 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 3 / 1 / 2 / 3 / Numerical ability
24 / Neethu Antony / 1 / 2 / 1 / 1 / 6 / 3 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor ability
25 / Anju.C.A / 2 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 5 / 3 / 4 / Psychomotor ability.reasoning
26 / Dhanya jose / 3 / 2 / 2 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 4 / 6 / Verbal ability
27 / Jwala.P.Prem / 1 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 8 / 1 / 3 / 3 / Psychomotor ability

Table 1: Scores obtained by the students of the Botany Department in different areas of the aptitude test.

Sl No / Name / Ca / Cl / Ma / Na / Pm / Ra / Sa / Va / Highly Scored Area
1 / Jithy T Thomas / 4 / 6 / 2 / 4 / 7 / 4 / 8 / 4 / Spatial Ability
2 / Reshma M R / 2 / 3 / 1 / 5 / 5 / 1 / 4 / 3 / Psychomotor & Numerical Ability
3 / Wilson Jovise K S / 3 / 4 / 1 / 5 / 7 / 5 / 1 / 5 / Psychomotor Ability
4 / Mikina Kuttan / 3 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 3 / 2 / 1 / Psychomotor Ability
5 / Liviya E Williams / 5 / 2 / 1 / 2 / 5 / 1 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor & Closure Ability
6 / Reshma Girish / 1 / 3 / 1 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 4 / 3 / Reasoning Ability
7 / Reshma K K / 1 / 1 / 1 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 2 / Numerical Ability
8 / Shanty K A / 1 / 3 / 2 / 4 / 3 / 1 / 3 / 1 / Numerical Ability
9 / Aiswarya E K / 2 / 3 / 1 / 2 / 6 / 1 / 3 / 2 / Psychomotor Ability
10 / Mridhula T M / 2 / 4 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 1 / 1 / 1 / Clerical Ability
11 / Kripa V S / 2 / 3 / 1 / 2 / 6 / 4 / 2 / 2 / Psychomotor Ability
12 / Rose Mary Anto / 2 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 4 / 2 / Reasoning Ability
13 / Aneesa Sabanam K S / 4 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 1 / 1 / Closure Ability
14 / Neethu E R / 1 / 4 / 1 / 3 / 4 / 1 / 3 / 4 / Clerical, Psychomotor & Verbal Ability
15 / Raichel George / 1 / 4 / 4 / 2 / 2 / 1 / 6 / 1 / Spatial Ability
16 / Delna Thomas / 2 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 2 / 2 / Clerical, Mechanical & Reasoning Ability
17 / Neethu Joy / 2 / 4 / 2 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 2 / 4 / Clerical & Verbal Ability
18 / Femi Francis / 1 / 6 / 3 / 5 / 5 / 2 / 6 / 1 / Clerical & Spatial Ability
19 / Jipcy Johnson / 2 / 2 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 4 / Verbal Ability
20 / Christeena A R / 1 / 8 / 4 / 4 / 5 / 1 / 3 / 3 / Clerical Ability
21 / Divya M J / 2 / 5 / 4 / 1 / 4 / 1 / 4 / 3 / Clerical Ability

Table 2: Scores obtained by the students of the History Department in different areas of the aptitude test.

Sl.No. / Name / CA / CL / MA / NA / PM / RA / SA / VA / Higher Score area
1 / Ganga.T.M / 6 / 3 / 2 / 5 / 7 / 5 / 1 / 5 / Psychomotor ability
2 / Shmna.P.A / 4 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 3 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor ability
3 / Arsha.P.M / 6 / 4 / 1 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 4 / 4 / Spatial ability
4 / Pooja.K.J / 3 / 3 / 2 / 2 / 4 / 2 / 5 / 5 / Spatial ability,verbal ability
5 / Rinsha.V.R / 2 / 1 / 1 / 4 / 3 / 3 / 1 / 5 / Psychomotor ability
6 / Christy Joseph / 5 / 3 / 2 / 4 / 5 / 3 / 5 / 3 / Spatial ability,closure,&psychomotor
7 / Anjana Sajeev / 3 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 1 / 2 / 5 / Verbal ability
8 / Akmal Nahan Khanam / 2 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 6 / 6 / 5 / 5 / Psychomotor ability,resoning
9 / Shahla.P.A / 2 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 7 / 5 / 3 / 2 / Psychomotor ability
10 / Sreya Suresh / 2 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 4 / 6 / 4 / Spatial ability
11 / Priyanka.J / 2 / 1 / 1 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor ability,numerical
12 / Fibithamol.V.A / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 3 / 1 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor ability
13 / Risna.A.Rahman / 1 / 2 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 2 / 2 / 5 / Verbal ability
14 / Thasneem.C.A / 1 / 1 / 1 / 3 / 5 / 1 / 1 / 3 / Psychomotor ability
15 / Ammu.S / 4 / 3 / 4 / 7 / 7 / 4 / 2 / 3 / Psychomotor ability,numerical ability
16 / Rekha.C / 2 / 1 / 1 / 4 / 2 / 0 / 1 / 3 / Numerical ability
17 / Riswana Maliyakkal / 3 / 1 / 3 / 5 / 8 / 6 / 3 / 3 / Psychomotor ability
18 / Neethu Johnson / 2 / 1 / 1 / 4 / 2 / 3 / 1 / 5 / Verbal ability
19 / Gayatri.M / 4 / 3 / 1 / 8 / 8 / 6 / 5 / 6 / Psychomotor ability,numerical

Table 3: Scores obtained by the students of the Biotechnology Department in different areas of the aptitude test.

Sl.No / Name / CA / CL / MA / NA / PM / RA / SA / VA / HIGHEST SCORED AREA
1 / Revathy.M.R / 1 / 3 / 1 / 3 / 4 / 4 / 2 / 5 / Verbal
2 / Athira.M.R / 2 / 3 / 0 / 4 / 3 / 3 / 4 / 2 / Spatial, Numerical
3 / Jenny.T.M / 1 / 2 / 1 / 3 / 4 / 1 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor
4 / Jini. J .C / 2 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 1 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor
5 / Surya P.C / 2 / 2 / 2 / 3 / 2 / 3 / 1 / 3 / Verbal,Numerical, reasoning
6 / Neethu. M / 1 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 2 / 2 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor, Numerical, Spatial
7 / Reshma C.T / 1 / 2 / 1 / 1 / 3 / 2 / 3 / 3 / Spatial,Verbal, ,Psychomotor
8 / Printy. P / 1 / 4 / 1 / 3 / 4 / 6 / 4 / 3 / Reasoning
9 / Sindhya.T.P / 1 / 2 / 4 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 4 / 4 / Spatial, Mechanical, Verbal
10 / Maria. J / 2 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 6 / 4 / 5 / 2 / Psychomotor
11 / Anu.N.S / 5 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 2 / 2 / 3 / Psychomotor,Closure
12 / Anju. S / 1 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 1 / Numerical, Spatial
13 / VARADHA.K / 1 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 4 / 4 / 5 / Verbal
14 / Shilka. V.P / 2 / 2 / 1 / 3 / 2 / 2 / 5 / 4 / Spatial
15 / Neethu. F / 1 / 2 / 1 / 2 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 4 / Verbal
16 / Anna Lindsay / 1 / 1 / 1 / 3 / 3 / 2 / 5 / 1 / Spatial
17 / Meenu.P.B / 1 / 2 / 1 / 1 / 4 / 1 / 3 / 2 / Psychomotor
18 / Fify. J / 1 / 2 / 2 / 5 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 3 / Numerical
19 / Krishnendhu.P.L / 1 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 2 / Numerical
20 / RESHMA.K.K / 2 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 2 / 4 / 5 / 2 / Spatial, Numerical
21 / Mebeena.V.V / 1 / 2 / 1 / 5 / 5 / 1 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor, Numerical
22 / Vrindha.V.R / 2 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 2 / 1 / 5 / 2 / Spatial
23 / Jisna. J / 1 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 4 / 1 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor, Numerical
24 / Sruthi.K.S / 2 / 2 / 2 / 4 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 4 / Spatial,Verbal,Numerical
25 / Sruthi. S / 2 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 3 / 4 / 4 / 4 / Spatial,Vrebal,Reasoning,
Numerical
26 / Jainy .R / 1 / 1 / 1 / 5 / 5 / 1 / 5 / 1 / Spatial,Numerical,Psychomotor
27 / Freby. F / 1 / 1 / 2 / 5 / 2 / 1 / 1 / 2 / Numerical
28 / Vimal. D / 1 / 1 / 3 / 3 / 0 / 1 / 4 / 3 / Spatial
29 / Manju. J / 1 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 2 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor
30 / RUBEENA.C.I / 2 / 1 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 7 / 2 / 3 / Reasoning
31 / Deena.M.N / 3 / 3 / 1 / 2 / 6 / 2 / 7 / 4 / Spatial
32 / Sarmila.K.S / 2 / 3 / 2 / 2 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 1 / Spatial
33 / Reshmamol P.G / 1 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 1 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor
34 / Vineetha .P.V / 2 / 1 / 2 / 2 / 3 / 1 / 3 / 1 / Spatial, Psychomotor
33 / Christy.T.G / 2 / 2 / 1 / 2 / 2 / 1 / 1 / 1 / Clercal,Closur,Numerical,
Psychomotor
34 / Jeena .J / 1 / 2 / 2 / 4 / 5 / 3 / 1 / 3 / Psychomotor
35 / Jiji. J / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 3 / 1 / 1 / 3 / Psychomotor, Verbal
36 / jesmin.K.J / 1 / 4 / 2 / 2 / 1 / 1 / 5 / 3 / Spatial
37 / Prathibha.K.R / 3 / 2 / 2 / 1 / 6 / 4 / 3 / 6 / Psychnmotor,Verbal
38 / Anjali P.X / 1 / 2 / 2 / 2 / 7 / 2 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor
39 / Lavanya.V.J / 4 / 3 / 1 / 1 / 5 / 2 / 4 / 2 / Psychomotor
40 / Reshma.P.T / 2 / 3 / 2 / 4 / 4 / 2 / 5 / 4 / Spatial
41 / Anushka.D / 2 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 4 / 2 / 3 / 2 / Psychomotor, Numerical

Table 4: Scores obtained by the students of the Economics Department in different areas of the aptitude test.

Sl.NO / NAME / CA / CL / MA / NA / PM / RA / SA / VA / HIGHEST SCORED AREA
1 / Neena.V.A / 1 / 4 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 1 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor
2 / Dasana.D / 2 / 6 / 1 / 4 / 4 / 1 / 3 / 1 / Clerical
3 / Stefy.J / 2 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 1 / 1 / Numerical, Psychomotor
4 / Neethu.A.M / 2 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 1 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor
5 / Aswathy.P.V / 2 / 1 / 1 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 1 / 4 / Numerical ,Psychomotor, Verbal
6 / Nimisha.J / 1 / 3 / 1 / 1 / 6 / 2 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor
7 / Divya.D / 2 / 3 / 5 / 4 / 6 / 3 / 1 / 4 / Psycomotor
8 / Greeshma.A.S / 1 / 2 / 1 / 3 / 5 / 4 / 1 / 3 / Psychomotor
9 / Ansa.M / 3 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 1 / 3 / Reasoning
10 / Aathira.V.A / 2 / 2 / 2 / 4 / 4 / 6 / 2 / 3 / Reasoning
11 / Aswathy.B / 2 / 1 / 1 / 5 / 5 / 4 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor
12 / Krishnapriya.K.S / 1 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 6 / 6 / 1 / 2 / Psycomotor,Reasoning
13 / Anju.A / 6 / 4 / 2 / 5 / 4 / 7 / 5 / 2 / Reasoning
14 / Sreelakshmi.V.A / 3 / 2 / 1 / 6 / 9 / 2 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor
15 / Sreedurga.B.M / 1 / 1 / 1 / 5 / 3 / 4 / 1 / 6 / Verbal
16 / Nivya.M / 1 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 4 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor
17 / Ramya.T.V / 4 / 1 / 3 / 4 / 2 / 5 / 1 / 5 / Numerical, Verbal
18 / Surya.P.S / 1 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 5 / 5 / 1 / 2 / Reasoning, Psychomotor
19 / Tinu.D / 1 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 1 / 4 / Reasoning
20 / Athira.K.U / 4 / 4 / 4 / 4 / 7 / 7 / 2 / 4 / Reasoning, Psychomotor
21 / Manju.J / 2 / 4 / 5 / 5 / 6 / 3 / 3 / 3 / Psychomotor
22 / Greeshma.K.U / 1 / 2 / 1 / 5 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 1 / Numerical
23 / Sukanya.P.A / 2 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 4 / 1 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor
24 / Saumya.D / 2 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 1 / 2 / Numerical, Psychomotor
25 / Jini.A / 1 / 2 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 3 / 1 / 1 / Mechanical, Psychomotor
26 / Amrutha.A / 2 / 3 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 3 / 1 / 3 / Psychomotor
27 / Delna.D / 3 / 4 / 4 / 4 / 7 / 4 / 4 / 3 / Psychomotor
28 / Midhumol.P.M / 2 / 3 / 1 / 5 / 4 / 9 / 1 / 1 / Reasoning
29 / Silpa.P.C / 2 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 6 / 1 / 5 / 3 / Psychomotor
30 / Tereena .T / 3 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 6 / 1 / 1 / 5 / Psychomotor
31 / Sreelakshmi.V.A / 6 / 1 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 3 / 1 / 1 / Closure
32 / Priyanka.G / 2 / 4 / 3 / 3 / 7 / 4 / 7 / 4 / Psychomotor ,Spatial
33 / Rinta .A / 1 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 3 / 6 / 3 / 3 / Reasoning
34 / Naina.R / 4 / 3 / 4 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 2 / 4 / Reasoning

Table 5: Scores obtained by the students of the Chemistry Department in different areas of the aptitude test.

SL.NO / NAME / CA / CL / MA / NA / PM / RA / SA / VA / High Scored Area
1 / Sheethal.J / 4 / 3 / 1 / 5 / 3 / 4 / 3 / 3 / Numerical
2 / Anupama / 4 / 4 / 2 / 8 / 8 / 6 / 6 / 5 / Numerical&Psychomotor
3 / Sfeedha / 1 / 4 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 3 / 1 / 5 / Psychomotor&Verbal
4 / Shahana / 2 / 3 / 2 / 4 / 7 / 3 / 6 / 3 / Psychomotor
5 / Gincy . J / 1 / 2 / 2 / 5 / 4 / 1 / 1 / 1 / Numerical
6 / Jismy / 2 / 3 / 5 / 4 / 5 / 5 / 7 / 3 / Spatial
7 / Saranya / 4 / 6 / 2 / 4 / 5 / 1 / 2 / 2 / Clerical
8 / Leedhiya / 2 / 10 / 3 / 4 / 6 / 6 / 9 / 5 / Clerical
9 / Riya .W / 1 / 3 / 1 / 5 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 2 / Numerical
10 / Niveditha / 2 / 3 / 4 / 2 / 8 / 6 / 9 / 4 / Spatial
11 / Anjaly.p / 6 / 8 / 4 / 5 / 8 / 6 / 10 / 5 / Spatial
12 / Anupriya / 4 / 3 / 5 / 6 / 6 / 8 / 3 / 3 / Reasoning
13 / Shincy / 2 / 1 / 6 / 4 / 4 / 6 / 6 / 2 / Mechanic,Reasoning&Spatial
14 / Albiya / 1 / 3 / 1 / 5 / 5 / 5 / 5 / 1 / Numerical,psycho motor, reasoning&spatial
15 / Priyanka / 2 / 3 / 2 / 4 / 5 / 4 / 5 / 1 / Psychomotor&spatial
16 / Aswathy.c / 1 / 7 / 2 / 8 / 4 / 5 / 8 / 2 / Numerical&spatial
17 / Jeeva.m / 1 / 2 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 4 / 3 / 4 / Numerical,mechanical,reasoning &verbal
18 / Anna Reeba / 2 / 7 / 4 / 2 / 5 / 1 / 5 / 4 / Clerical
19 / Roshni / 3 / 1 / 2 / 7 / 3 / 3 / 1 / 1 / Numerical
20 / Sweety Vincent / 2 / 4 / 2 / 2 / 6 / 4 / 2 / 5 / Psychomotor
21 / Manjusha Narayanan / 4 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 3 / 6 / 4 / 3 / Reasoning
22 / Vineetha,v / 1 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 4 / 3 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor
23 / Rosy / 2 / 4 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 2 / 1 / Reasoning
24 / Isabella / 2 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 3 / 2 / 7 / 4 / Spatial
25 / Gloria / 1 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 2 / Numerical
26 / Swathisree / 5 / 3 / 1 / 2 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 5 / Closure&verbal
27 / Joselin / 1 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 4 / 2 / Numerical,psychomotor,&spatial
28 / Nimmy / 3 / 4 / 2 / 5 / 5 / 5 / 1 / 3 / Numerical,psychomotor&reasoning
29 / Mincy / 4 / 2 / 3 / 2 / 5 / 5 / 4 / 3 / Psychomotor&reasoning
30 / Megna / 1 / 2 / 2 / 5 / 6 / 5 / 4 / 4 / Psychomotor
31 / Praseetha / 1 / 3 / 2 / 5 / 7 / 3 / 4 / 4 / Psychomotor
32 / Vinna Davis / 1 / 2 / 2 / 2 / 3 / 6 / 4 / 3 / Reasoning

Table 6: Scores obtained by the students of the BCA Department in different areas of the aptitude test.

Sl.No / NAME / CA / CL / MA / NA / PM / RA / SA / VA / HIGH SCORED AREA
1 / Athira.M.R / 4 / 4 / 1 / 5 / 9 / 4 / 3 / 4 / Psycho motor
2 / Anju.P.B / 4 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 6 / 6 / 1 / 4 / Psychomotor, Reasoning
3 / R.Y.Thamanna / 1 / 4 / 1 / 6 / 5 / 9 / 2 / 5 / Reasoning
4 / Sreedevi / 3 / 3 / 2 / 4 / 6 / 4 / 1 / 3 / Psychomotor
5 / Reshma.K.R / 2 / 2 / 1 / 3 / 5 / 2 / 3 / 5 / Psychomotor, Verbal
6 / Shafna. Z / 4 / 2 / 2 / 4 / 4 / 5 / 3 / 3 / Reasoning
7 / Anjali.A.V / 3 / 1 / 2 / 5 / 5 / 4 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor, Numerical
8 / Afeedu .B / 3 / 3 / 2 / 3 / 7 / 5 / 3 / 2 / Psychomotor
9 / Merra.K / 1 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 4 / 5 / 5 / 5 / Spatial, Numerical, Verbal
10 / Lija G / 1 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 3 / 6 / 1 / 2 / Reasoning
11 / Tashreefa.E.V / 2 / 4 / 4 / 7 / 6 / 8 / 8 / 4 / Spatial ,Reasoning
12 / Rashmi .P / 2 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 7 / 1 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor
13 / Parvathy.S.M / 4 / 4 / 1 / 6 / 3 / 4 / 7 / 3 / Spatial
14 / Ishitha.M.M / 4 / 2 / 1 / 5 / 5 / 3 / 4 / 4 / Psychomotor, Numerical
15 / Aishwarya.M.U / 4 / 1 / 4 / 6 / 8 / 3 / 2 / 6 / Psychomotor
16 / Uma.V.M.P / 2 / 2 / 4 / 4 / 5 / 1 / 2 / 3 / Psychomotor
17 / Jishna M / 5 / 5 / 2 / 5 / 10 / 4 / 5 / 4 / Psychomotor
18 / Nima L / 2 / 6 / 1 / 4 / 9 / 6 / 3 / 4 / Psychomotor
19 / Jesna. T / 2 / 3 / 1 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 3 / 4 / Numerical
20 / Radhika.P / 3 / 3 / 3 / 4 / 2 / 3 / 5 / 3 / Spatial
21 / Vinny.k.v / 1 / 2 / 1 / 5 / 4 / 1 / 1 / 5 / Verbal,Numerical
22 / Archana.p / 2 / 2 / 1 / 3 / 7 / 3 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor
23 / Dhanya.J.T / 4 / 2 / 1 / 2 / 5 / 3 / 2 / 2 / Psychomotor
24 / Nayana.A.R / 1 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 4 / Psychomotor
25 / Aleena B / 4 / 3 / 3 / 5 / 4 / 5 / 1 / 5 / Verbal, Numerical,
Reasoning
26 / Krishnendhu.K.K / 1 / 1 / 1 / 3 / 3 / 2 / 3 / 1 / Spatial, Numerical,
Psychomotor
27 / Darsana.N.C / 1 / 2 / 1 / 3 / 3 / 3 / 2 / 1 / Psychomotor,
Numerical,Reasoning
28 / Amrutha S / 1 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 4 / 3 / Spactial,Numerical,
Psychomotor
29 / Roshni. P / 1 / 2 / 1 / 1 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor
30 / Shiga.K / 1 / 3 / 1 / 1 / 6 / 4 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor
31 / Saranya.S / 4 / 3 / 4 / 4 / 7 / 1 / 5 / 1 / Psychomotor
32 / Dhaneesha .S / 3 / 3 / 2 / 6 / 7 / 4 / 1 / 3 / Psychomotor

Table 7: Scores obtained by the students of the Microbiology Department in different areas of the aptitude test.

SL NO / NAME / CA / CL / MA / NA / PM / RA / SA / VA / HIGHLY SCORED AREA
1 / RESHMA M S / 3 / 3 / 7 / 2 / 5 / 2 / 3 / 5 / MECHANICAL ABILITY
2 / KEERTHANA N P / 5 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 5 / 3 / 2 / PSYCHOMOTOR, CLOSURE & REASONING ABILITY
3 / DONA THERATTIL / 5 / 2 / 2 / 2 / 7 / 3 / 4 / 3 / PSYCHOMOTOR ABILITY
4 / AISWARYA P / 1 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 2 / 4 / 1 / 3 / REASONING ABILITY
5 / DHILNA JOKIES / 1 / 3 / 1 / 5 / 5 / 1 / 5 / 4 / SPATIAL, NUMERICAL& PSYCHOMOTOR ABILITY
6 / RESHMA K R / 1 / 2 / 1 / 2 / 4 / 2 / 1 / 1 / PSYCHOMOTOR ABILITY
7 / JERLY K J / 1 / 2 / 2 / 5 / 5 / 1 / 1 / 6 / VERBAL ABILITY
8 / RINNI JOHNSON / 2 / 2 / 2 / 5 / 5 / 5 / 6 / 2 / SPATIAL ABILITY
9 / FINCY JOY V / 1 / 3 / 2 / 4 / 5 / 2 / 2 / 1 / PSYCHOMOTOR ABILITY
10 / FARIAL HASSAN / 2 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 1 / 2 / 1 / 7 / VERBAL ABILITY
11 / JISMY C / 1 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 2 / 1 / 1 / 2 / PSYCHOMOTOR , NUMERICAL & VERBAL ABILITY
12 / RESHMA MEPPADATH / 2 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 2 / 3 / 1 / 3 / VERBAL & REASONING ABILITY
13 / MARIS PAUL / 1 / 4 / 2 / 3 / 9 / 3 / 1 / 2 / PSYCHOMOTOR ABILITY
14 / ARUNIMA RAMACHANDRAN / 1 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 0 / 1 / 1 / 1 / NUMERICAL ABILITY
15 / SALY DAVIS P / 1 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 5 / 3 / 2 / 1 / PSYCHOMOTOR ABILITY
16 / JENY JOHN / 3 / 3 / 2 / 3 / 6 / 1 / 3 / 1 / PSYCHOMOTOR ABILITY
17 / ASHNA JOSY / 2 / 2 / 2 / 5 / 1 / 5 / 5 / 6 / VERBAL ABILITY
18 / SREELAKSHMI P K / 2 / 4 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 2 / 2 / 2 / PSYCHOMOTOR ABILITY

Table 8: Scores obtained by the students of the English Department in different areas of the aptitude test.

SL NO / NAME / CA / CL / MA / NA / PM / RA / SA / VA / HIGHLY SCORED AREA
1. / Vincy .c.varghese / 1 / 2 / 1 / 5 / 7 / 6 / 7 / 2 / Spatial ability psychomotor ability
2. / Lakshmi.s / 2 / 3 / 4 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 3 / 2 / Mechanical ability, numerical ability, psychomotor ability
3. / Nima Roby / 1 / 3 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 6 / 2 / 2 / Reasoning ability
4. / Anna Mariya.T.E / 4 / 4 / 4 / 7 / 8 / 4 / 5 / 3 / Psychomotor ability
5. / Vismaya Varghese / 2 / 8 / 1 / 6 / 5 / 6 / 5 / 1 / Clerical ability
6. / Stephy.P.P / 2 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 6 / 8 / 2 / 1 / Reasoning ability
7. / Jinu.v.shaju / 2 / 4 / 4 / 7 / 6 / 5 / 6 / 2 / Numerical ability
8. / Reshma .R.Nadh / 4 / 3 / 1 / 6 / 6 / 6 / 1 / 3 / Numerical ability, Psychomotor ability, reasoning ability
9. / Reshma ravindran / 4 / 4 / 2 / 7 / 5 / 6 / 2 / 3 / Numerical ability
10. / Sreeja santhosh kumar / 4 / 4 / 6 / 3 / 5 / 9 / 5 / 5 / Psychomotor ability
11. / Dhanya .C.J / 1 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 3 / 6 / 2 / 3 / Reasoning ability
12. / Swathikrishna.Nair / 3 / 3 / 3 / 5 / 5 / 8 / 6 / 4 / Reasoning ability
13. / Soumya .B.K / 5 / 4 / 4 / 6 / 7 / 6 / 1 / 3 / Psychomotor ability
14. / Liya.T.O / 4 / 6 / 5 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 8 / Verbal ability
15. / Anju.P.Raj / 1 / 1 / 1 / 3 / 7 / 3 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor ability
16. / Vijitha.P.M / 1 / 4 / 1 / 1 / 5 / 4 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor ability
17. / Athira sathyan / 1 / 4 / 2 / 4 / 8 / 4 / 1 / 3 / Psychomotor ability
18. / Rashmy.M.R / 4 / 1 / 1 / 3 / 7 / 6 / 6 / 5 / Psychomotor ability
19. / Remya.U.R / 3 / 3 / 2 / 6 / 5 / 5 / 1 / 1 / Numerical ability
20. / Sruthilaya.T.R / 2 / 1 / 1 / 3 / 6 / 6 / 1 / 5 / Psychomotor ability, reasoning ability
21. / Manisha.A.N / 1 / 3 / 2 / 5 / 7 / 4 / 1 / 4 / Psychomotor ability
22. / Sreelakshmi.M.R / 3 / 1 / 1 / 4 / 6 / 4 / 1 / 4 / Psychomotor ability
23. / Alphy .V.R / 4 / 3 / 2 / 2 / 5 / 2 / 5 / 4 / Spatial ability, reasoning ability
24. / Rini raphel / 1 / 2 / 2 / 5 / 4 / 6 / 2 / 4 / Reasoning ability
25. / Jipsy joy / 5 / 5 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 7 / 5 / 3 / Reasoning ability
26. / Danimol Darwin / 2 / 3 / 1 / 3 / 6 / 2 / 1 / 1 / Psychomotor ability
27. / Hanna issac / 1 / 3 / 1 / 6 / 4 / 6 / 7 / 1 / Spatial ability
28. / Stephy sajan / 1 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 4 / 4 / 1 / 2 / Numerical ability, psychomotor ability, reasoning ability
29. / Vidhy.p.r / 2 / 4 / 1 / 6 / 5 / 7 / 8 / 1 / Spatial ability
30. / Athira venugopal / 4 / 2 / 2 / 5 / 5 / 1 / 4 / 1 / Numerical ability, psychomotor ability
31. / Abeena Thomas / 3 / 4 / 2 / 4 / 4 / 7 / 7 / 3 / Reasoning ability, Spatial ability
32. / Anita chris / 5 / 3 / 2 / 7 / 5 / 6 / 4 / 7 / Numerical ability, Verbal ability
33. / Krishna.p.s / 3 / 2 / 4 / 7 / 5 / 7 / 7 / 4 / Numerical ability, reasoning ability, Spatial ability
34. / Anjali ramachandran.k / 1 / 3 / 1 / 4 / 5 / 5 / 1 / 3 / Psychomotor ability, reasoning ability
35. / Anjali Johnson / 4 / 3 / 2 / 4 / 6 / 5 / 1 / 2 / Psychomotor ability
36. / Rosemol jophy / 4 / 3 / 1 / 3 / 5 / 5 / 2 / 3 / Psychomotor ability, reasoning ability
37. / Jinu sunny.p / 2 / 2 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 1 / 3 / 1 / Spatial ability
38. / Haritha.t.s / 1 / 3 / 1 / 3 / 4 / 1 / 1 / 4 / Psychomotor ability, verbal ability
39. / Vidhya muraleedharan / 4 / 4 / 2 / 5 / 5 / 4 / 1 / 2 / Numerical ability, psychomotor ability
40. / Anju antony / 2 / 4 / 1 / 6 / 8 / 5 / 2 / 3 / Psychomotor ability
41. / Dishira ramanan.E / 1 / 3 / 3 / 7 / 6 / 2 / 3 / 2 / Numerical ability
42. / Riya George / 1 / 4 / 1 / 5 / 6 / 4 / 1 / 3 / Psychomotor ability
43. / Menu rapheal / 4 / 4 / 2 / 6 / 9 / 5 / 3 / 5 / Psychomotor ability

Table 9: Scores obtained by the students of the Mathematics Department in different areas of the aptitude test.

DISCUSSION

DBDA (David’s Battery of Differential Aptitude) test was conducted for the 267 3rd DC students of 9 departments of St. Mary’s College, Thrissur. The purpose of the test was to check whether they have selected their course according to their aptitude. From this test, 54.68% students show higher ability in psychomotor area. Psychomotor ability refers to precise movements requiring eye hand coordination under highly speeded conditions. Now-a-days, we can see rapid development in the field of technologies. So, people keep themselves busy in engaging in activities like, designing, making accessories, makeover, use of laptops and mobile phones etc. This makes their eye hand coordination more precise.

The test was conducted for 27 students from the Department of Botany. Among them 62.96% shows ability in Psychomotor area followed by 22.22% in Reasoning, 14.81% in Numerical, 11.11% in Verbal, 7.4% in Closure and Spatial areas. 7 students show abilities in more than one area. As Botany students, they have to do lots of dissections, record works which include drawing finely controlled pencil lines in specially constructed figures and identification of minute cells. So, they are considered to have fine muscle dexterity and eye hand coordination. From this test, we can conclude that they have chosen the course where they can excel since they have higher ability in Psychomotor area.