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What is AIMS?
Aptitude Inventory Measurement Service (AIMS) is a non-profit
testing and scientific research facility located in Dallas,
Texas. Since 1976, AIMS has been providing valuable information
to high school and college students. Many adults interested in
career alteration or graduate school also have taken advantage
of the assistance the test results can provide. Founders John
Gaston, Irvin Shambaugh, and Brenda Smith relied on their years
of experience in aptitude research to start the organization.
The idea behind the service was to use the information from
testing for research and to present the individual findings to
the person taking the tests so that he or she may it use that
knowledge in making college and career decisions. Both the
Director and the Chief Scientist at AIMS have been with the
organization since its creation and continue to be active in
testing, conducting research, and giving conferences. The AIMS
staff administers a battery of tests to help individuals
determine their natural strengths. The AIMS program provides
clients with a tailored report and summary based on their
scientifically measured abilities. Test administrators interpret
the results of each examinee’s efforts in order to provide
career and college suggestions based on the combination of the
individual’s aptitudes and characteristics. Armed with this
additional self-knowledge, examinees should be able to greatly
increase their chances of success in life.
How does the testing work?
“Worksamples,” the term used for the AIMS tests, is a more
appropriate name for the activities the client is asked to
complete. The worksamples range from measuring how easily a
person works with small tools (one of the essential abilities of
a surgeon) to how quickly a person can draw conclusions from
bits of information (an essential ability for an investigator or
lawyer). Most of the worksamples are brief, but the testing
series is extremely thorough. The entire group of worksamples
may take up to ten hours to complete, but the results are
invaluable to those searching for some direction in making
decisions regarding their future. A total of three sessions much
be scheduled to complete the AIMS program. The first and second
periods last around four hours each are administered via
headphones, computer monitors, and pencil-and-paper activities.
The final session, lasting three to four hours, is comprised of
an individual testing period with an administrator, followed by
a discussion of the results and recommendations. Testing
sessions can be taken in either morning or afternoon blocks on
the dates convenient for the examinee. For example, you may
schedule the first two appointments on the same day, one in the
morning and one in the afternoon. The next day, you could
complete the third session beginning in the morning or
afternoon. Appointment spaces fill quickly during school
holidays; call at least a month in advance to schedule these
dates.
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What are aptitudes?
Having an aptitude means that an individual is able to perform a
task or activity faster and/or more accurately than most other
individuals. AIMS provides information about the client’s
specific aptitude pattern (combination of scores) and how it
relates to careers the client may be interested in pursuing.
Many parents encourage their children to complete the testing
before the senior year of high school to promote the planning
involved with higher education. AIMS administrators also may
consider aptitudes and a student’s current knowledge level in
order to make suggestions regarding the colleges and majors that
would be most appropriate for the individual. In the working
world, adults need to use their natural abilities in their
careers to avoid dissatisfaction or frustration. Aptitudes can
be considered pre-talents, abilities waiting to be used. If
aptitudes are not honed and utilized, a person may feel that
something is missing, or that he or she is in the wrong field.
On the other hand, careers that demand aptitudes that an
individual lacks may lead to frustration. If this is the case, a
person may find that the requirements of a position take much
longer for him or her to complete than for others who possess
the natural abilities used in that job.
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Who uses AIMS?
The majority of clients who use AIMS are high school or college
students who are serious about education and career planning.
Some clients may be unable to find a starting point or may want
to confirm that their decisions match their abilities. Many
adults benefit from the AIMS testing, as well. A number of
people dissatisfied with their careers look to the information
AIMS provides to help in finding a new career path or in finding
a position within their current career that might be more
rewarding. Empty-nesters have used the AIMS program to look at
options that might not have been possible earlier in their
lives. Occasionally, retired people visit AIMS to find new
hobbies or business adventures that provide an outlet for their
talents. AIMS clients are individuals who want to learn more
about themselves in order to use their talents to their
advantage and live a more fulfilling life. Please review the
articles on our website about testing after college and after
age 35 to determine if this is the right program for you.
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Is testing
available in other locations?
Testing is available year-round at the Dallas office Monday
through Friday and during most school holidays. However, several
times a year, AIMS establishes temporary testing centers with
colleges or high schools throughout the country. If your school
or organization is interested in hosting a testing service in
another city, please contact the AIMS office. You must have at
least 10 individuals in your group, a program coordinator, and
adequate facilities in order for AIMS to provide remote testing
services.
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Is testing a good
idea for everyone?
Becoming familiar with one’s natural abilities is a very helpful
method in planning a successful future. It can also be a
heartening confirmation of an individual’s goals. Unfortunately,
some situations can interfere with the testing process. Students
with learning disabilities and certain conditions may require
additional time to work through the testing process. Individuals
with conditions such as learning disabilities, anxiety, or
depression are usually advised to divide the first and second
testing sessions into two days to increase the likelihood of
obtaining the most accurate results.
Occasionally, we are unable to recognize aptitudes in
individuals with learning differences. Because our method of
measuring aptitudes is timed, it could be difficult for people
who need additional processing time to receive helpful results.
This does not mean a person does not possess an aptitude,
but we might not be able to measure it through our methods.
Adults over the age of 30 also should divide the first and second
testing sessions into two different days. By this age, many
people have become distanced from the test-taking process. AIMS
encourages testing for many of these interested individuals but
does not want time or a lack of student skills to be
discriminating factors.
There are a few other situations that may produce inaccurate
results. Certain medications that affect the central nervous
system may slow response time. Individuals who have, or are
recovering from, problems with drug or alcohol abuse are often
found to have inaccurate results.
Clients who are not motivated to take the tests also are
unlikely to receive helpful information. Parents should not
force students to participate if they are unmotivated to do so.
Accurate results rely on the best efforts of the examinee.
Clients must report any physical or psychological disabilities,
learning differences, medications, or drug or alcohol abuse to
AIMS before testing to ensure results will not be affected by
these situations. If you are uncertain about a condition or
medication affecting the test results, please call and ask an
administrator.
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How do I schedule an
appointment?
The testing program consists of three sessions. The first and
second sessions each include four hours of testing, administered
through headphones and a computer monitor. The final session
includes a brief period of testing, administered by a senior
staff member, immediately followed by a discussion of the
results and recommendations. The testing is available Monday
through Friday, year round. You will need to determine the days
that work with your schedule before calling to make an
appointment. We are flexible with the dates you choose for
completing the program; you can begin in the morning or
afternoon for each of your three sessions. Your appointments
need not be on consecutive days, but you may schedule two
appointments on the same day.
If you have any kind of learning disability, test anxiety, or if
you are taking certain medications that affect the central
nervous system, you should schedule the first and second
sessions on two different days. If none of the above applies to
you, you may schedule your appointments in any way you like.
Please be honest about any of these conditions with the staff
scheduling your appointment. Otherwise, we may not obtain
accurate results.
Once you make the appointment, you will be mailed a packet of
information that includes an application, schedule of your
appointments, map to the office, and hotel listings. You will be
asked to complete the application and return it to the AIMS
office with a $100 deposit. The remaining balance is due at the
first appointment. If there is not enough time for you to return
the application, you will need to fill out the application prior
to your appointment and bring it in on the first day of testing
with the total balance of $775. Failure to return the
application does not cancel your appointments; you will need to
call the AIMS office if you are unable to keep any of the
scheduled appointments.
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What should I expect?
During the first and second testing periods, you will use
headphones and computer monitors to complete pencil and paper
activities and apparatus-types of tests. You will receive short
breaks for snacks, using the restroom, using your telephone,
etc. If you are testing all day, you will receive a one-hour
lunch break. There are a few restaurants and other food options
within a few blocks of the office building. Currently, there is
a deli on the first floor of the building. During the third
testing period, an administrator will conduct one-on-one testing
and present the analysis of your test results. The third session
lasts between three and four hours. During the conference
(analysis) portion, at least one parent, guardian, or sponsor is
required to be present with examinees under the age of 25.
Exceptions are made for clients who apply for the services
independently. Clients will receive a personalized report of the
conclusions and suggestions, a bar graph of test results, an
audio CD of the conference, and a CD of the AIMS Handbook and
PowerPoint presentation. Supplemental materials will be provided
as needed.
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How do I prepare for
testing?
Unlike many other kinds of tests, it is not necessary to study
or try to research any information to prepare for AIMS aptitude
testing. AIMS measures natural abilities, therefore it is
impossible to “train” for the worksamples. However, it is
extremely important to be well-rested before the appointments.
Be sure to get an adequate amount of sleep the night before your
testing days. It is also important to eat a normal breakfast or
lunch before testing so that hunger does not interfere with
performance.
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What is the fee for
testing services?
The fee for testing, analysis, and recommendations is $775. AIMS
accepts personal checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, and
cash. AIMS does not accept credit or debit cards. A $100
deposit is required with the application. The remaining balance
can be paid in advance or at the testing center before the first
testing session.
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