Cognitive Testing Practices for Basic Military Training in the Nordic Countries: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Psychometrics
• Cognitive Psychology
• Military Psychology

Background:

• Nordic countries have utilized general mental ability (GMA) tests in military conscription since the mid-20th century.
• These tests historically served dual purposes: identifying individuals unfit for service and ranking cognitive abilities for military roles.
• Initially for men, these assessments are now administered to both genders, reflecting societal changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the need for updated psychometric evaluations of Nordic general mental ability (GMA) tests.
• To address concerns regarding the current reliability and validity of these widely used cognitive assessments.
• To emphasize the importance of revalidation for ensuring the scientific credibility of GMA test data in research.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical development and administrative procedures of Nordic GMA tests.
• Analysis of current reporting on the psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of these tests.
• Examination of the implications of limited psychometric data for research findings.

Main Results:

• There is a notable lack of recent reporting on the psychometric properties of Nordic GMA tests.
• The current psychometric status raises questions about the reliability and validity of these assessments.
• Findings derived from these tests should be interpreted with caution due to outdated validation data.

Conclusions:

• Updated validation studies are crucial for Nordic general mental ability (GMA) tests.
• Revalidation will ensure the scientific integrity of GMA test data used in military and broader social/health research.
• Accurate interpretation of cognitive assessment data is essential for robust research outcomes, including studies on the Flynn effect.