Psychometric characteristics of the category test: replication and extension.

This investigation reexamined and extended previous research on the psychometric characteristics of the Halstead Category Test (HCT), one part of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery (HNTB). Protocols for 102 subjects with a diagnosis of either closed head injury or cerebrovascular accident were examined and analyzed for relationships between the HCT and Verbal IQ (VIQ), Performance IQ (PIQ), age, education, time since onset of injury (onset), diagnosis, and the Impairment Index (Index) of the HNTB. Results indicated a significant relationship between HCT performance, age, and PIQ; and significant differences between the two diagnostic groups for HCT, VIQ, age, onset, and Index. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed a measure of performance intelligence, uncorrected for age, to be the best predictor for performance on the HCT. These results replicated earlier findings with regard to correlates of HCT performance and provided additional data on its optimal prediction. Results were discussed in light of clinical interpretation of the HCT.