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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. AIMS has been providing valuable information to high
school and college students since 1976. Many adults interested
in career alteration or graduate school have also taken
advantage of the assistance the test results can provide. AIMS
current operations director and chief scientist have been with
the organization since its creation and continue to be active in
testing and conferences. Test administrators interpret the
results of testing and provide examinees with career and college
suggestions based on the combination of the individual’s
aptitudes and characteristics. AIMS administers a battery of
tests to help individuals determine their natural strengths.
AIMS provides clients with a tailored report and summary based
on their scientifically measured abilities. 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 take the information from
testing and apply it not only to research, but present it to the
person taking the test so they may use that knowledge in making
decisions regarding college and career to increase their chances
of success in life.
How does the testing work?
“Worksamples,” the term AIMS uses for its tests is a more
appropriate name for the activities the client is asked to
complete. The worksamples range from measuring how well 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 (one 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. The results are invaluable
to those searching for some direction in making decisions
regarding their future. Two testing periods of four-hours each
are required (using headphones and monitor), and one session of
three-to-four hours is required for individual (one-on-one)
testing and discussion with an administrator. Testing sessions
can be taken in one-and-a-half days or spread over a longer
period of time, if needed.
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What are aptitudes?
Having an aptitude means that an individual is able to perform
some task or activity much faster or more easily 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 or a
current career. Many parents encourage their children to
complete the testing before the student’s senior year of high
school to promote the planning involved with higher education.
AIMS administrators also may use test results to make
suggestions about which colleges would be most appropriate for
the student considering aptitudes, characteristics, and majors
for recommended careers. 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
trained, honed, and utilized, a person may feel that something
is missing, or that they are in the wrong field. On the other
hand, careers that demand aptitudes that an individual lacks may
lead to frustration. A person may find that the requirements of
a position take them much longer or demand more effort from them
than from others who possess the natural abilities used in that
job.
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Who uses AIMS?
The majority of AIMS clients 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 with their abilities. Adults
use AIMS, 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. It is not uncommon for
women who are re-entering the job market, after their children
leave home, to use the testing to seek out the types of jobs
they should consider. Occasionally retired people retired people also visit AIMS to
find new hobbies or business adventures that may 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.
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Is testing only
available in Dallas?
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 Southwest and Southeast.
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 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 ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, or depression are
usually advised to divide testing sessions into at least two
days to allow the needed time to produce accurate results.
Adults over the age of 30 should also divide the testing
sessions. By this age, many people have become distanced from
the test-taking process. AIMS promotes testing for these
individuals, but does not want time to be a discriminating
factor.
There are a few other situations which may produce inaccurate
results. Certain medications may slow response time in the
testing. Individuals who have, or are recovering from, problems
with drug or alcohol abuse are often found to have inaccurate
results. Clients must report any physical or psychological
disabilities, learning differences, medications, drug or alcohol
use to AIMS before testing to ensure results will not be
affected by those situations. It is also important that clients
be enthusiastic about the process. Parents should not force
students to participate if they are unmotivated to do so.
Accurate results rely on the best efforts of the examinee.
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How do I schedule an
appointment?
The testing takes a day and a half and consists of 8 hours of
testing and a 3 to 4 hour conference. We do the testing Monday -
Friday year round. You will need to pick the days that you want
to do the testing and decide whether or not you would like to do
all day testing which is from 8:15 until 4:30 with an hour lunch
break and come back the next morning for the conference or you
can split the testing, starting the first round of testing in
the afternoon of the first day 12:45 to 4:15 returning the next
morning for the second part of the testing 8:15 to 12:00 with
the conference that same afternoon. AIMS recommends that if you
have any kind of learning disability, test anxiety, or if you
are taking certain medications, that you split the first two
testing sessions into two days. But if you don't fall into any
of these categories it is personal preference as to how you
schedule the appointment. Once you make the appointment, an
application, schedule of your times, map to the office, and
hotel listings will be mailed to you. You will be asked to
complete the application and return it to the AIMS office with a
$100 deposit. 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 the appointment; you will need to
call the AIMS office if you do not intend to keep your scheduled
appointment.
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What should I expect?
Your first two testing periods, which may be on the same day or
two different days, consist of four hours of testing each
period, using headphones, monitors, pencil and paper, and
apparatus types of tests. You will receive short breaks for
snacks, restroom, etc. There are vending machines located in the
first floor of the testing center for purchasing refreshments,
sandwiches, sodas, etc. If you are testing all day, you will
receive a one hour lunch break. There are fast food, chain, and
independent restaurants within a few blocks of the office
building. Your third testing period is with the administrator
who will present your test results and analysis. This third
testing period lasts from one to one-and-a-half hours. The
conference follows within a half an hour. During the conference
only, at least one parent, guardian, or sponsor is required to
be present with examinees 25 and under. Exceptions are made for
clients who apply for the services independently. The final
analysis and recommendation session will last one-and-a-half to
two hours. Clients will receive a printed report of the
conclusions and suggestions, a bar-graph of test results, an
audio CD of the conference, and a CD of the AIMS Manual 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/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, and the remaining balance can
be paid in advance or at the testing center before the first
testing session.
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