Factor Structure of the Gibb Experimental Test of Testwiseness

Abstract

This study investigated the factor structure of scores on the seven subscales of the Gibb (1964) Experimental Test of Testwiseness. The Gibb instrument measures a subject's ability to use seven types of secondary cues to correctly answer multiple-choice test questions. The study investigated whether the seven types of cues proposed by Gibb (1964) represented independent dimensions or could be reduced to a smaller set of interpretable factors. A principal components analysis yielded two factors with eigenvalues exceeding 1.00. The factors were rotated to final solution using the varimax method. Scales loading above .40 on factor 1 included Alliterative Associations, More Precise Alternatives, Longer Correct Alternatives, and Grammatical cues. These subscales were interpreted as more overt cues to the correct response. Scales with loadings above .40 on factor 2 included Grossly Unrelated Alternatives, Inclusionary Language, and Give Aways in other items. These subscales were interpreted as more subtle cues to the correct response. Further research is necessary to replicate the factors and to substantiate these tentative interpretations.