I remember hearing in one of those psychology coaching classes that it's really difficult to objectively measure - most of the mind-related variables like intelligence, attitude, interests etc. And creativity is definitely not something that lends itself to metrics. Who is more creative - Maniratnam or George Bush? Can someone give a clear answer? No.
However that never deters us from designing tests that are most likely to measure creativity. The famous psychologist Guilford is known for developing many such tests, like Remote Association Test, Unusual Uses test and many more. Torrence Tests of creative thinking are also famous, such tests measured one's originality, flexibility, fluency and elaboration - thought to be the components of creative thinking.
Over the past two days I'm also testing myself on these four parameters, though that was not the intention of the individuals who administered the tests. Some good things happen without planning, they say. Coming to the tests, here are some of the items that really tested my creativity.
* Test 4/Item 4:
India is secular but Indian politics is communal. Please comment.
* Test 3/ Sec B/Item 7: What is the key assumption adopted in this working estimation model of social capital? (A complex Chemical Engineering-type formula followed this item)
There are many other gems, however I would like to end the list with this -
* * Test 5/Item 1: Why is the study of history considered relevant for a Civil Servant? Discuss.
