///Global Awareness Profile

The GAPtest is a self-scoring inventory that gives participants a graphic representation of their global awareness. It presents 126 questions based on common knowledge in six geographic regions (Asia, Africa, North America, South America, the Middle East and Europe) and six subject areas (environment, politics, geography, religion, socioeconomics and culture), along with twelve questions about broad global issues. After scoring their tests, participants transfer their scores to profiles that allow them to see the areas in which they are strongest and weakest.
GAP Profile Image

The Global Awareness Profile (GAP) measures one’s awareness and knowledge of the world. It creates a critical awareness (the first step toward global competence) of one’s gaps in knowledge about the world, and stimulates one to engage in a life-long learning process toward navigating cultural worlds. The GAPtest is suitable for students, educators, business leaders, national and global service workers. The GAPtest is not an intelligence test. It is not a predictor of behavior. It is an effective inventory to gauge one’s awareness of the world in which we live. It can be used alone or in concert with other behavior based training and inventories.

Global awareness is the degree to which an individual has knowledge of every facet of societal function in major areas of the world. In order to assess global awareness, researchers divided the construct into two main categories, Geography and Context. Both contain seven subcategories. The subcategories for geography are:

(1) Asia,
(2) Africa,
(3) North America,
(4) South America,
(5) Middle East,
(6) Europe, and
(7) Global.

Additionally, the subcategories for context are:

(1) Environment,
(2) Culture,
(3) Politics,
(4) Geography,
(5) Religion,
(6) Socio-Economic, and
(7) Global.

Each question within the test uses two subcategories from each main category. For example a question may ask participants about the Culture in Africa, which clearly uses one subcategory from each of the main categories.

How is the tool accessed (i.e., web-based, etc.)?

The GAPtest Online is a web-based inventory based on a MySQL database. Once completed online, the test-taker’s score is automatically generated at the conclusion of the test. Information from the profile is calculated with the score data and available to the administrator for comparison.

What reports are generated?

A graphic profile (see above) with scores is generated for the test-taker at the completion of the inventory. Administrators of the account have access to personal profiles and group aggregate data. Optional reports are available upon request and at an additional fee.

Are both individual and group assessments available?

Yes. Individuals may take the GAPtest on-line independently of a group. The GAPtest is also convenient for group assessment, as well. Institutions (businesses and organizations) can maintain groups and give individual group keys that places individual test-takers into convenient groups.

Are certifications offered/required to interpret results?

No. There is currently no certification for administrators. Help is offered in knowing how to interpret scores and aggregate data. The results are farily straight forward. Training can be provided.

What is the cost?

Organization registration for a group administrator is $50. Individual tests are $10. Group associated tests are $6 per test. Faculty and administrators have the option of purchasing bulk assessments for $6 per test, or for passing the cost on to students at $10 per test–much like purchasing an online textbook.

Validation of tool (has it been statistically validated)?

Yes. Based on a 2008 independent analysis, The Global Awareness profile is 96.9% reliable, and a valid instrument for assessing global awareness. In both content and convergent validity, “…the GAP test is valid. It includes all relevant and representative aspects of the construct of global awareness, but it does not include aspects that it should not be included. Therefore, the GAP test is a valid measure of global awareness.” A full report is available upon request.

How long is the survey (number of items/length of time)?

There are 126 questions with randomized answers. On average it takes 30-45 minutes to take the inventory depending on motivation and English language level. Based on our research and evaluation, shortening the test would reduce significantly its reliability and validity.

Typical applications of the tool.

* Stimulating introductory activity that creates an interest and motivation to learn. [We also have a GAPgame that can be used in group trainings before taking the test.
* Diagnostic tool for knowledge about Global Awareness in the general population or organization.
* Indicator of the amount of knowledge gained in a class or program on International Issues.
* Measure that additional tests on Global Awareness can be compared to since its reliability is so high.
* Test employers can use to assess their employees who deal with International accounts.
* Using the GAP test as a diagnostic tool for the general population, researchers will be able to compare American participants to participants from other countries.
* The GAP test can be used as a teaching aid for instructors who wish to determine the amount of knowledge students' gained over the course of a semester or longer term training program.

Year tool was created.

The Global Awareness was developed in 1998. It has been revised several times and was placed online in 2007. The online version allows for real-time updates.

Do you offer other services? Yes.

* One-Day trainings in Cross-Cultural Skills for Overseas Service, Orientation to American Culture, Global Competence, and The Globally Competent Teacher and Manager
* Orientation design for cross-cultural living (extensive experiential orientation and training)
* Leading international learning expeditions and exchanges to Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe
* Specialized inventories on specific geographic and context areas

Short List of our current clients.

Clients include, but are not limited to: Belmont University (Business Department), Portland State University, Center for International Studies, Lake Forest Graduate School (MBA), Texas A&M Global Studies Leadership Department, University of Maryland--Global Studies, Bond University (Australia), Red Deer College (Canada). Contacts on request.

Are licenses for this tool available?

No license is required. Clients set up an organization/business account ($50) and then test-takers are grouped with log-in and passwords that the client administrator provides to test-takers. There are two payment options: 1) client purchases tests in bulk and then offers free to test-takers, or 2) client has test-takers pay online through a PayPal account.

What do your clients say?

…I start the students off with the GAPtest in the first semester and end with the GAP test in the final (fourth) semester. It is a good wake-up call for many, really makes them focus on their strengths while also recognizing the areas in which they don't have so much knowledge. It helps me guide them in terms of their program focus - some want to build on what they know others want to fill in the gaps…Dr. Kirsten Dabelko, University of Maryland

…We're [used] the GAP test as a pre/post measure of global competence in a multi-site evaluation of the usage of The World in Transition (WIT) series curriculum enhancement volumes published by the Southern Center for International Studies in Atlanta. The GAP test appears to be about the most content-valid instrument out there for the WIT materials, which combine history, economics, geography, culture, and lots of current events in each volume of the series. The series is supplemented by a current events website at www.scis.org. We’re using the GAP test to get a baseline of social studies pre-service teacher global competence prior to an intensive seminar that deals with the WIT materials in depth, and then again at the end of the course to assess gains. We used the old version successfully last year in a pilot study for this evaluation, and found significant gains on virtually all areas assessed…J. Joseph Hoey, Ed.D. Director of Assessment, Georgia Institute of Technology