Variations of the Mental Rotation Test : Will a Short Form Suffice?

Abstract

Mental rotation is the ability to visualize an object rotation around its axis. Vandenberg and Kuse developed a 24-item paper and pencil Mental Rotation Test (MRT) which typically reveals a large male-female discrepancy in performance, favoring males. Variations of the MRT were created, a short version and a long version. The purpose of this study was to test two hypotheses: 1. There will be no significant differences in performance on the long versus the short form of the Mental Rotation Test; and 2. Males will outperform females on both the short and long forms of the Mental Rotation Test.