Thurstone TMA (TMA-A)

The TMA instrument is a mental ability test that helps measure an individual's ability to learn new skills quickly, adjust to new situations, understand complex or subtle relationships, and be flexible in thinking. This instrument helps assess an individual's capacity to learn and understand the requirements of the job.  Percentile norms are listed by the two sub scores (quantitative and linguistic) and the total score for a specific job classification.

Scales and Norms

Three scores are derived from four types of test items. There are scores for quantitative (Q) and linguistic (L) ability and a total score. The total score is the sum of the Q score and the L score.  Percentile norms are listed for both sub-scores and the total score for the total sample.

• Quantitative: measured by Arithmetic and Number Series problems
• Linguistic: measured by Same-Opposite word meanings and Definitions items

Benefits
Research shows a strong relationship between general mental ability and various work related outcomes. In addition to often being the strongest predictor of individual job performance, the TMA can help reduce overall turnover by helping to improve the effectiveness of hiring and placement decisions. The test can also help reduce supervisory and training time for employees in new positions and help increase overall profitability as a workforce with higher levels of cognitive ability acquires new information more easily and more quickly and is able to use information more effectively.