Update on a clinical measure for the assessment of problem solving

The Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving test (RAPS) is a clinical measure of problem solving based on the 20 Questions Test. This article updates clinicians on the RAPS, addresses questions raised about the test in an earlier article (R. C. Marshall, C. M. Karow, C. Morelli, K. Iden, & J. Dixon, 2003a), and discusses the clinical utility of the RAPS.

The RAPS was administered to 373 normal adults. Tests were analyzed to assess the impact of demographic, psychometric, and other factors on performance on the RAPS. To determine the effects of strategy selection on test scores, participants were assigned to novel, category-focused, or mixed strategy groups based on the types of first questions asked.

Normal participants exhibited a range of performance levels on the RAPS. Participants in the novel strategy group performed significantly better than the participants in 2 other strategy groups.

The RAPS is a clinically useful tool to examine problem solving that is easy to administer and to score. Findings suggest clinicians can use the RAPS with greater confidence than was the case 4 years ago. The RAPS is now part of the public domain and may be used by clinicians to assess clients' problem-solving deficits.