The Construction and Validation of a Measure of Vocational Maturity. Center Technical Paper No. 16.

The Cognitive Vocational Maturity Test (CVMT) was constructed to measure knowledge and abilities dealing with the characteristics and requirements of a wide range of occupations. Fifteen cognitive vocational maturity areas were identified; the present form of the test consists of 120 multiple choice items, whose reading grade levels range from 1.4 to 2.2, comprising subtests for six of these areas: fields of work; job selection, work conditions, education required, attributes required, and duties. The CVMT was administered to a standardization sample of 7,367 North Carolina students in grades 6-9. Relatively high Kuder-Richardson coefficients for each grade on each of the six area subtests, and the standard errors of measurement, indicate a high level of reliability. Validity is indicated by the higher mean scores on all subtests obtained by students who chose occupations in agreement with their field of interest and aptitude level. Mean scores on all area subtests increased across grade levels, thus providing support for the claim that cognitive vocational maturity behaviors are developmental ones. The CVMT itself and an examiner's manual are included in the document. Also appended are the supportive data from the item analysis and reliability testing phases of the development of the test. (SA)