Development, Administration and Confirmatory Factor Analysis of a Secondary School Test Based on the Theory of Successful Intelligence

Abstract

The present study attempted to investigate an application of the theory of Successful Intelligence (Sternberg, 1997) in lower Greek secondary schools, through a school tests believing that school assessments should be based on solid, empirically investigated theoretical foundations. The test was administered to 2663 students with a mean age of 13.39 years, all studying at the 2nd year of the lower secondary school in 49 schools from different geographical areas in Greece. A confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated the validity of the theory. The findings suggested that Greek pupils have a relatively developed analytical ability; however, the cultivation of their creative and practical skills should be at the focus of Greek schooling.