Dexterity Testing

Dexterity testing products examine a person'sO'Connor Fingers and Tweezers Tests
motor skills with regards to the fingers, hands,The O'Connor tests are used for testing more
and arms. Various exams exists to measure suchprecise movements of the fingers. The finger
performance abilities as eye-hand coordination,test requires the subject to place pins in holes, a
quickness at performing assembly tasks, andsetup similar to the Purdue Pegboard Test. The
overall motor skill development. Dexterity examsO'Connor Tweezers Test requires the testee to
are used in assessing progress when doinguse a pair of tweezers to perform the pin
physical and occupational rehabilitation, screeningplacement. The O'Connor bare generally used to
applicants for necessary job skills, and evaluatingdetermine the aptitude of someone being
the extent of an injury or other disability.considered for an assembly job such as sewing.
Most screening programs for dexterity naturallyRoeder Manipulative Aptitude Test
involve the use of some combination of fingersThis test assesses a person's ability to assemble
on both hands to follow some designated testingand sort objects. The apparatus includes a
procedure, such as placing pegs into a pegboard.performance board, rods with threaded ends,
Some dexterity exams check for the subject'salong with nuts, washers, and caps. The rods can
ability to use not only the hands, but also testbe screwed into sockets on a performance board.
arms and shoulders more extensively as well.Testing involves various sorting sequences as well
A few standard testing procedures haveas assembly testing. Subjects are timed as they
established the accepted norms for measuringperform sequences of sorting and assembly the
dexterity. They include the Purdue Pegboard Test,rods, washers, caps, and nuts on the
the Minnesota Dexterity Test, the O'Connorperformance board. The Roeder setup can be
Fingers and Tweezers Tests, and the Roederused for a range of skills assessment.
Manipulative Aptitude Test. In addition to theseJob Specific Dexterity Testing
tests, others tests exist which measureOther tests have been invented to check a
coordination skills related to specific job functions.person's skills for a particular test or to
Purdue Pegboard Testunderstand progress made by rehabilitation. A
The Purdue Pegboard was developed by anhand tool dexterity test exists to examine a
industrial psychologist at Purdue University tosubject's proficiency with mechanical tools, such
examine the capability of applicants to performas wrenches, and screwdrivers. There are other
industrial jobs. This test provides a few differenttests available that allow applicant screening and
testing setups and procedures, and can berehabilitation professionals to measure people's
adapted to specific testing needs. Testsability to function in many different capacities.
performed using the Purdue Pegboard Test setupWherever there is a widespread to evaluate
include removing pins from a tray and placingsomeone's performance with regard to a job
them into a pegboard. Another part of the Purduefunction, there is likely a dexterity test available.
Test involves assembling a combination of pins,Some General Guidelines for Performing Dexterity
washers, and collars. Testing is usually timed forTests
both of these test setups so that the resultsAlthough the various dexterity tests are
show both the quickness and accuracy of thesomewhat extensible and can be used for many
subject in performing the dexterity tasks.particular testing needs, it is strongly suggested
Minnesota Dexterity Testthat the testing be correlated with the job
This test has two versions, the Minnesota Manualfunction or skill for which the testing is intended.
Dexterity Test (MMDT) and the CompleteOtherwise, the test results are meaningless.
Minnesota Dexterity Test (CMDT). Both testsThe tests described above have become widely
measure eye-hand coordination. The tests involveaccepted because they use well-defined,
having test subjects perform dexteritysystematic testing procedures. The core focus of
movements using disks. The CMDT includes fivedexterity testing is to normalize the results to
different tests in the entire test battery, whichunderstand what level of performance should be
makes it more accomodating to testing a widerexpected of a subject, allowing the test to rate
spectrum of dexterity metrics.an outcome and compare it to a standard.