Brief Description

The Athena Test consists of 330 questions and tasks, distributed across 5 age levels, and covers 14 main scales and one supplementary scale. These scales assess linguistic, perceptual, cognitive, and neurological functions, capturing the child’s difficulties within the context of school learning. It is a tool designed for clinical and diagnostic use.

Purpose

The test was developed to assess motor, perceptual, cognitive, and psycholinguistic functions in children. It aims to identify potential learning difficulties and determine areas requiring further intervention.

Scoring Method

Each scale has a different scoring method. In the first 11 scales, the child’s developmental level is expressed using two indicators: a developmental quotient (in IQ units) and a developmental age (in years and months). The last three scales are evaluated using qualitative and categorical descriptors. Scores from each scale are matched to age-based reference tables.

Validity

For each child included in the standardization process, the teacher completed a questionnaire with individual characteristics and academic performance. Factor and cross-analyses showed that the tool demonstrates satisfactory validity both psychometrically and clinically.

Reliability

Internal consistency coefficients range from 0.80 in younger age groups to above 0.90 in intermediate age groups. These values indicate very good reliability across all scales.

Data Analysis and Use

The standardization was conducted with a sample of 500 students from kindergarten to 4th grade in schools in the Attica region. In addition, qualitative assessment was carried out on children with known developmental difficulties. The results are used both for diagnostic evaluation and for designing individualized intervention programs.

References

Paraskevopoulos, I. N., Kalatzi-Aziz, A., & Giannitsas, N. D. (1999). Athena Test: Diagnosis of Learning Difficulties. Athens: Ellinika Grammata.