[Factorial structure of the BAKO 1-4. On the validation of the "Base competence for school years 1-4" test for...

Phonological awareness in native German speaking school children in grades 1 through 4 can be tested using the BAKO 1-4. We raised the question whether BAKO 1-4 subtests probe different aspects of phonological processing.

Participants were 62 school children aged 7-12 years. Application of the BAKO 1-4 was performed during routine clinical testing.

Statistical analysis indicated two factors with sufficient loading as latent variables.

Our data indicate that two underlying variables constitute BAKO 1-4 test performance: the first involves "conscious phonological processing in a narrow sense", and the second involves decision making. Two subtests loading on factor 2 may be related to the decision making processes. This has to be kept in mind when applying the test to indecisive children.