I have written extensively about how aptitude testing can help students choose a major to study in college. Aptitude testing gives students insight into their strengths and weaknesses. It also helps them zero in on career paths that they can excel at and will enjoy. In my career counseling service, I use the Highlands Ability Battery (HAB) due to its convenience, accessibility, and its holistic approach to considering the entire person. However, other aptitude tests exist, and it is important for parents to know there are options. In this article, I will be comparing the HAB to another well-known aptitude test, the AIMS (Aptitude Inventory Measurement Service). I will also explain why, while this test is considered perfectly acceptable, I use and recommend the HAB to my customers.

The benefits of aptitude testing

Before discussing the differences between the AIMS and the HAB, it is important to understand the value of aptitude testing. In short, testing can provide a student or individual with a sense of confidence and clarity when making decisions. I discuss these benefits in this video:

The AIMS and the HAB were both developed by long established aptitude researchers

Aptitude Inventory Measurement Service (AIMS) was founded in 1976 by John Gason, Irvin Shambaugh, and Brenda Smith. The founders relied on years of aptitude research to establish their non-profit testing and research facility. The center is located in Dallas, Texas and has a stable and dedicated history of providing service to the community. Their small and dedicated staff is highly trained and knowledgeable. The research center continues to employ the original Director and Chief Scientist, who both continue to speak at conferences, be active in research, and serve on the Board of Trustees. ^[1]

The Highland Abilities Battery was founded on the research of Johnson O’Conner, who began his research on aptitude test development in 1922. The Johnson Research Foundation continues to maintain a research department which revises and refines its tests.^[2] The Highland Company acquired the rights to this testing methodology in 1992 and has since worked to make the test more accessible to a wide array of students. In 2004, they were one of the first companies to revolutionize the testing industry, and move the testing format online.^[3] One of the main differences between the two companies, is that while the AIMS values testing on site and remaining local, the HAB focused on how to provide access to its methodology to as many students as possible.

The HAB and the AIMS both measure a number of natural aptitudes using work sample tasks

The HAB and the AIMS are both similar in that they each seek to measure natural aptitudes in a test taker. The AIMS and HAB both categorize a person’s general personality and temperament by determining if the test taker is an introvert or an extrovert and whether or not they are a generalist or a specialist.

Both tests use “work samples” or a series of small tasks to measure a variety of natural abilities.

The HAB’s work samples are then organized to measure aptitudes such as:^[4]

• Visual Speed and accuracy
• Ability to work with numbers and designs
• Inductive reasoning
• Idea flow
• Verbal aptitude
• Structural visualization
• Musical aptitude
• Various forms of memory

Each of these aptitudes are then “graded” on a scale of low, medium, or high.

The AIMS is similar in that it tests^[5]:

• Divergent thinking
• Convergent thinking
• Perceptual speed
• Dexterities
• Verbal and Numerical Memory
• Aural Aptitudes
• Design and Artistic Aptitudes
• Dominance, Laterality, and Handedness
• Other Aptitudes

The test then combines these scores with the person’s frame of reference (introvert/extrovert) and visualization tendency (Generalist/Specialist) to assign them an aptitude profile.

There are eight aptitude profiles in general, and they are:

• The Abstract Generalist
• The Creative Generalist
• The Generalist Problem Solver
• The Structural Generalist
• The Specialist
• The Specialist Problem Solver
• The Creative Specialist
• The Structural Problem Solver

Depending on what profile a test taker falls into, the AIMS will be able to provide the student career advice, advisement on pitfalls to avoid, roadmaps for success that fit their personality, tips for communication, and guides for how one may fit into positions regarding leadership and corporate structure.^[6]

The Highland Abilities Battery does not assign a specific personality profile with the addition of the “creative” or “structural” personality type. It differs slightly from the AIMS in this way.

The HAB report is organized by going through the 19 different work samples and providing the student their score. The HAB report is organized into four clusters; the test takers Personal Style, their Driving Abilities, their Specialized Abilities, and Vocabulary ability. These four clusters help give a “quick snapshot” of a person’s overall scores, prior to diving into a detailed analysis.

The AIMS and the HAB both largely measure the same aptitudes, though the AIMS measures some finer abilities

The AIMS and the HAB both measure several natural aptitudes, including analytical thinking, visualization abilities, dexterity, aptitudes for rhythm and tone, memory and recall, artistic aptitudes, vocabulary, and foresight. Both tests use ‘work samples’ or short tasks or exercises to measure a test-taker’s ability. However, the length and scope of the two tests are not identical. The HAB is made up of 19 virtual work samples^[7], while the AIMS relies on 27 work samples, which are administered from a testing center.^[8] The HAB is conducted completely online, while the AIMS administration is split between paper and pencil tasks, a task using a hand dynamometer, listening to sounds through the use of headphones, and completing tasks on a computer monitor.

Because the AIMS tests are in-person, there are some general aptitudes that can be tested in finer detail. For example, both the HAB and the AIMS test for finger dexterity. However, the AIMS also tests specifically for instrument dexterity. Both tests test for tonal and rhythm memory, as well as pitch discrimination, but because the AIMS has a more controlled testing environment, it can also measure a broader range of sound-related abilities, such as loudness, timbre, and time discrimination.

But beyond these finer details, the two tests work similarly. Both tests utilize work samples to ask students to recall information or numbers, manipulate blocks in space, or put images into a logical sequence. Both tests also consider a student’s vocabulary and acknowledge that while vocabulary is not necessarily an “aptitude,” it is a sign of success. However, because the AIMS is administered almost exclusively in the Dallas, Texas area, a portion of its vocabulary section allows for more regional dialect, while the HAB is based off of a more generalized vocabulary knowledge.

The AIMS test is slightly more comprehensive, but the HAB is far more accessible

The primary difference between the AIMS and the HAB is accessibility. The HAB is administered by a Highland’s Certified Consultant and is largely taken from the comfort of the test taker’s home. When taking the HAB, the student’s consultant sends them a link, and the student may take the test battery at their leisure. When taking the HAB, the student may take as many breaks as necessary, provided that they finish a work sample first. Because students take the test virtually, the amount of time to complete the HAB can vary widely.

The AIMS is only administered in person at a testing facility. The AIMS testing center is located in Dallas, TX, and students must either travel to Dallas, or arrange for an administrator to travel to their area. While there are some exceptions where an administrator may travel to a student, this is more costly, must be set up far in advance, and enough students must sign up to justify the administrator’s travel. The structure of the AIMS is far more rigid than the HAB. The AIMS must be taken over the course of three days, with the third day partially reserved for analysis and results.

There is a significant difference in cost between the two tests. The HAB is a more affordable option, though pricing can vary depending on the consultant and package for which the test taker chooses. On average, the cost of taking the HAB is around $500, while the current fee for the AIMS is $925 (which does not account for any additional travel costs). Consultants who administer the HAB often offer continuing services in addition to the HAB, or may allow a student to take the test as an a la carte option. The AIMS does not provide any additional services outside of the feedback included in the service.

Post assessment feedback is similar between the two tests but the HAB provides more ongoing service opportunities

The AIMS is administered over a three session period, with the third session largely devoted to results and feedback. While the feedback provided following the AIMS is thorough and valuable, some may find the amount of information given in one sitting to be overwhelming. Students who take the AIMS are also provided with The Aptitude Handbook, a 295-page document that helps students interpret their test results. Students are provided with an audio recording of their feedback session, so that they can go back and listen to the information they were given.^[9] For students who are under the age of 18, AIMS requires that a parent or guardian sit in during the feedback session.

With the HAB, feedback can be given differently depending on the consultant. Feedback will typically last between 90 minutes and two hours, but can be broken up into two sessions depending on how the consultant works. Consultants also generally offer ongoing sessions if the student desires continued coaching. The benefits of continued coaching are that the student is not overwhelmed by the results of their aptitude testing all at once and can process their results and learn how to apply what they have learned to real-world applications over time, and with the guidance of a certified consultant. The feedback session for the HAB helps students understand their communication style, how they problem solve, and how they learn.^[10]

Both the HAB and the AIMS are excellent choices for students who seek insight into understanding their own strengths and weaknesses

The HAB and the AIMS are both aptitude tests that were developed by legitimate researchers who dedicated their careers to aptitude testing and career development. Both tests can be used to help students understand their strengths, weaknesses, and learn how to apply this knowledge to choosing a successful and fulfilling career.

As a certified consultant, I utilize the Highlands Abilities Battery because of its accessibility to reach students who live anywhere in the country. I also provide additional services that include list building, essay assistance for college, and career counseling. If your student is struggling to choose a college major, or is unsure of what life path to choose, contact me today to find out if aptitude testing is a good fit for them.

Schedule your aptitude test, using the HAB, today

To schedule an aptitude test, simply click the button below to be taken to my contact form or you may schedule online. After the test is completed, I assist with interpreting the result and helping one to plot a path forward.

In addition to providing aptitude testing, which can help students to choose a college major, I offer broader admissions assistance packages which include the following services:

• College list building
• College application assistance
• Assistance with college essays
• Planning related to paying for college

I understand that choosing a major, as well as the right school, is a major step in life. I take pride in my level of dedication to each and every client I serve. I am able to work families throughout the United States and internationally. I look forward to speaking with you.

References

^[1] https://www.aimstesting.org/fathatrevolutionizeq

^[2] https://www.jocrf.org/about/

^[3] https://www.highlandsco.com/about/

^[4] https://www.highlandsco.com/whats-highlands-ability-battery/

^[5] https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57fbabb61b631be17ec6bfc2/t/57fc544de4fcb5f48d6dbea0/1476154479010/The+Aptitude+Handbook+May+1+2014.pdf

^[6] https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57fbabb61b631be17ec6bfc2/t/57fc544de4fcb5f48d6dbea0/1476154479010/The+Aptitude+Handbook+May+1+2014.pdf

^[7] https://www.highlandsco.com/whats-highlands-ability-battery/

^[8] https://www.aimstesting.org/faq

^[9] https://www.aimstesting.org/faq

^[10] https://www.highlandsco.com/the-power-of-feedback-why-the-hab-includes-an-in-depth-debrief-session/