Have you heard about Purdue’s accuracy test? As its name suggests, the Purdue accuracy test is a test that allows you to evaluate the accuracy of the movements of the person performing it.

It is a tool designed in the 1950s and was initially used in the selection of personnel for jobs that required coordination and skill, but today it is used in the field of psychotherapy.

Here we will learn about the characteristics of Purdue’s precision test, the material required to perform it, the parts and what the test consists of, as well as how to evaluate it and its possible uses.

What is the Purdue Accuracy Test?

The Purdue Accuracy Test is a test developed by industrial psychologist Joseph Tiffin , in the Department of Industrial Psychology at Purdue University, United States.

This test allows the evaluation of coordination, as well as two types of manual activity : coarse movements of the fingers and arms and fine digital dexterity. On the one hand, it evaluates eye-hand coordination, and on the other hand it evaluates the superficial movements of the arms, hands and fingers, and tests the fingertip in relation to finer and more precise movements.

In order to carry out Perdue’s precision test, a series of essential physical elements are required, which we will see below.

Material to make it

The Purdue Precision Test has the following elements.

1. A wooden board

This wooden board has two columns. Each of these columns consists of 25 holes of approximately half a centimetre in diameter.

At the top of the columns there will be 4 cavities for a specific number of pins, tubes and washers, distributed as follows: at the ends (right and left) the pins will be arranged. In the centre there are two positions to be filled as follows: on the side of the dominant hand, the tubes are placed, and on the side of the non-dominant hand, the washers are placed.

2. A stopwatch

The stopwatch is essential for measuring the time of each test that forms the Purdue precision test, and has an impact on the results of the test.

Parts of the test

The test consists of several parts that are summarized here. In all these parts, the person who will have a short period of time to familiarise himself with the parts (tubes, washers and pins) and to practise should be taken into account and informed . The Purdue Precision Test can be considered as a tool to measure the progress of patients.

1. Part I

With the dominant hand, as many pins as possible should be inserted within a time limit of 30 seconds . The idea is to insert the pins as quickly as possible. The exercise is timed, and in the event that a piece falls, you should not waste time looking for it, but pick up another one.

In this part what is valued is the coordination of the dominant hand.

2. Part II

This part of the test is the same as the first one, but with the difference that the non-dominant hand is used to perform it . So with the non-dominant hand, as many pins as possible should be inserted, within a time limit of 30 seconds.

The person is reminded to go as fast as they can, that they will be timed and if they drop a piece they should not waste time looking for it, but pick up another one. In this part what is valued is the coordination of the non-dominant hand.

3. Part III

This part follows the lines of the previous two. In this case, the person should insert as many pins as possible in both sides, with the use of both hands at the same time , equal in a time limit of 30 seconds.

Again he is reminded to go as fast as he can, to be timed and finally if he drops a piece he should not waste time looking for it, but take another one. In this part what is valued is the bimanual coordination.

4. Part IV

This last part consists of an assembly task . The idea is to make a coordinated and stipulated sequence consisting of: inserting a pin – a washer – a tube – another washer. It should be done by alternating the use of both hands and always starting with the dominant hand. You have 60 seconds for this test exercise.

In this last part of the test what is valued is the bimanual coordination in an alternate way, so the person will be explained that while one hand is inserting a piece, the other hand must be taking the next piece to be inserted .

Evaluation form

The scores, and consequently the results of the Purdue Precision Test, are stipulated by the following parameters :

  • For Part I and Part II, the score is the number of pins inserted during the given 30 second time frame.
  • For part III, the total number of couples is counted.
  • For part IV, both complete assemblies and individual parts are counted. So, multiply the number of complete assemblies by 4 (which are the parts that make up each assembly) and add the individual parts.

With all this, variables such as sex, age, or pathologies of the patient are taken into account , so that the percentiles of each person are subordinated to these variables.

Uses and applications

There are several uses for the Purdue Precision Test application. Initially, when designed and created, could be used in recruitment processes , as it allowed to evaluate fingerprint ability, as well as manual accuracy.

These skills are important in work involving the handling of fine parts, sewing machines, production lines, assembly, and maintenance for example.

But its field of applicability is more linked to the psychotherapeutic field ; it is used in tests of brain damage and brain injuries, for those people who are going to perform movement therapies (as a tool to evaluate the patient’s evolution), for the diagnosis of learning problems, to evaluate the needs of vocational rehabilitation, and also in diagnosis for people with dyslexia.

On the other hand,** it is a test of special interest in occupational therapies**, which are those therapies in which various activities are carried out.

These therapies are aimed at people with limitations due to physical injury or illness, disability or cultural impairment, and are intended to maximize their independence, as well as to prevent future disability and maintain good health.

Bibliographic references:

  • Buela-Casal, G. and Sierra, J.C. (1997). Manual de evaluación psicológica. Siglo XXI Ed. Madrid.
  • Cohen, R.J. and Swerdlik, M.E. (2002). Psychological testing and assessment. McGraw-Hill. Madrid.
  • Costal, L.D., Vaughan, H.G., Levita, E. & Farber, N. (1963). Purdue Pegboard as predictor of the presence and laterality of cerebral lesions. J. Consult Clin Psychol, 27: 133-7.
  • Purdue Pegboard Quick Reference Guide (Revised Edition 1999). Lafayette Instrument.