Analysis of figure recognition on the modified MT Beta-86 test for adaptation: description and discussion of...

The purpose of this study was to analyze the recognition of figures from the modified MT Beta-86 test for subsequent refinement and adaptation of this language assessment instrument.

This study was organized into two parts. The first part of the study involved 61 subjects with educational level higher than nine years. Naming of 266 visual stimuli was elicited and concordance among participants on figure naming was also determined. Concordance of responses was assessed using Cochrane's test at a 5% level of significance. Some visual stimuli were subsequently re-designed and images were replaced. The second part of this study involved the re-testing of the new images among 110 individuals ranging in age from 18 to 75 years of both genders, stratified into four educational bands (A: 1-4 years; B: 5-8 years; C: 9-11 years; and D: more than 12 years). Stimuli with concordance level of 70% or higher were considered adequate.

In part A of the study, from the index of agreement of naming, the figures considered suitable for inclusion in the adapted version were selected. In part B, all the figures had a response concordance level over 70%.

Figures in the Modified MT Beta-86 test suitable for retention in the new version of the instrument were identified. Analysis of low sample recognition was used to identify boards for replacement, and those for retention, in the new version of the test.