Preparedness for university study: Designing a thinking skills test

Determining the level of preparation for university study of South African school leavers remains a challenge. This article descriptionbes the design and development of a Thinking Skills Test that forms part of a battery of Access Tests recently developed at the University of Stellenbosch. The rationale for the use of Access Tests and more specifically the inclusion of a Thinking Skills Test is discussed, The theoretical basis for the test design is descriptionbed as are the processes of development addressing content validity. The selection of the thinking skills covered by the test is motivated. Two studies provided data for further test construction analyses. which included the distribution pattern, item analysis construct validity and intemal-consistency reliability. The revision that followed the first study proved to be effective according to the findings of the second study. It is envisaged that he study will continue with attention being devoted to predictive validity and establishing norms.