TOPS 2–Adolescent Virtual Kit (Examiner's Manual and Reading Passages Bundle)
| Author | Linda Bowers • Rosemary Huisingh • Carolyn LoGiudice |
|---|---|
| Test Level | B |
| Age Range | School-Age |
| Testing Time | 40 minutes |
PRO-ED e-books and virtual test components are provided through a partnering e-reader platform. You will be emailed an access code with instructions for redeeming your e-book and any additional ancillary materials.
Please note: Our e-books are not shareable PDF files, and pages cannot be printed from the e-reader, but rather the reproducible materials can be downloaded, saved, and printed as needed.
Diagnose Language-Based Thinking Deficits
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.
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.
Based on the research of Richard Paul, the TOPS 2–Adolescent emphasizes the integrative disposition of critical thinking by focusing on these cognitive processes:
- understanding/comprehension
- analysis
- interpretation
- self-regulation
- evaluation
- explanation
- inference/insight
- decision-making
- intent/purpose
- problem solving
- acknowledgment
Subtests
The test 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.
- 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.
- Subtest B: Determining Solutions- The student is asked to provide a logical solution for some aspect of a situation presented in a passage.
- 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.
- Subtest D: Interpreting Perspectives- A student who does well on this subtest will evaluate other points of view in order to make a conclusion.
- Subtest E: Transferring Insights- The student is asked to compare analogous situations by using information stated in the passage.
COMPLETE TOPS-2 ADOLESCENT VIRTUAL KIT INCLUDES: Examiner's Manual E-Book and Reading Passages E-Book. (©2007)
Please contact testquestion@proedinc.com for revised normative tables.

