TOPS-2: Test of Problem Solving 2 (Adolescent) Complete Test

The TOPS 2: Test of Problem Solving 2 (Adolescent) assesses critical thinking abilities based on the student's language strategies using logic and experience.

Ages: 12-0 through 17-11
Testing Time: 40 minutes

While other tests may assess thinking skills by tapping mathematical, spatial, or nonverbal potential, the TOPS 2: Adolescent assesses critical thinking abilities based on the student's language strategies using logic and experience.

Five Decision-Making Skill Areas

The TOPS 2: Adolescent uses a natural context of problem-solving situations related to adolescent experiences and assesses five different decision-making skill areas critical to academic, problem solving, and social success.

11 Cognitive Processes

Based on the research of Richard Paul, the TOPS 2: Adolescent emphasizes the integrative disposition of critical thinking by focusing on these cognitive processes:

1. Understanding/comprehension
2. Analysis
3. Interpretation
4. Self-regulation
5. Evaluation
6. Explanation
7. Inference/insight
8. Decision-making
9. Intent/purpose
10. Problem solving
11. Acknowledgment

TOPS-2 Subtests

The TOPS-2: Test of Problem Solving 2 (Adolescent) is comprised of five subtests (18 written passages) that assess a student's performance of these skills. The subtests require the student to pay careful attention to, process, and think about what they hear and read; think about problems with a purpose in mind; resist the urge to be impulsive; and express answers verbally.

1. Subtest A: Making Inferences: The student is asked to give a logical explanation about a situation, combining what he knows or can see with previous experience/background information. Students who do well on this subtest make plausible inferences, predictions, or interpretations.
2. Subtest B: Determining Solutions: The student is asked to provide a logical solution for some aspect of a situation presented in a passage.
3. Subtest C: Problem Solving: This subtest requires a student to recognize the problem, think of alternative solutions, evaluate the options, and state an appropriate solution for a given situation. It also includes stating how to avoid specific problems.
4. Subtest D: Interpreting Perspectives: A student who does well on this subtest will evaluate other points of view in order to make a conclusion.
5. Subtest E: Transferring Insights: The student is asked to compare analogous situations by using information stated in the passage.

The TOPS-2 (Adolescent) Complete Test includes:

• Examiner's Manual
• Reading Passages Book
• 20 Test Forms

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