Old vs New: The Classic and D-KEFS Trails as Embedded Performance Validity Indicators and Measures of Psychomotor Speed/Executive Function

Authors

Laszlo Erdodi, University of WindsorFollow
Jessica Hurtubise, University of Windsor
Maame Brantuo, University of Windsor
Laura Cutler, University of Windsor
Arianna Kennedy, University of Windsor
Rayna Hirst, University of Palo Alto

Abstract

This study sought to provide a direct comparison between old and new versions of the Trail Making Test (TMT). Eighty-five undergraduate student volunteers were administered the old and new TMT. A third of them were instructed to feign neuropsychiatric deficits. The classification accuracy of the TMTs was evaluated against experimentally induced and psychometrically defined invalid performance. Results showed that the old TMT demonstrated superior psychometric properties, both as a measure of cognitive ability and performance validity. In conclusion, newer and more sophisticated versions of a test are not necessarily better than older, established instruments. Replications in clinical samples are needed to verify the findings.

Recommended Citation

Erdodi, Laszlo; Hurtubise, Jessica; Brantuo, Maame; Cutler, Laura; Kennedy, Arianna; and Hirst, Rayna (2021) "Old vs New: The Classic and D-KEFS Trails as Embedded Performance Validity Indicators and Measures of Psychomotor Speed/Executive Function," Archives of Assessment Psychology: Vol. 11, Article 6.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/psyassessment/vol11/iss1/6