The Decision Analysis Test (DAT) looks at a person’s ability to make decisions in situations of uncertainty. This is an aspect of decision making that is more closely related to real life than traditional tests.

It requires the test taker to make informed judgements with information that is incomplete, complex and ambiguous.Using a deciphering (verbal ‘code breaking’) scenario, the test requires a move from purely logical reasoning to decisions requiring increasing degrees of personal judgement. It generates information on decision making in terms of three distinct skills:

• Analysis
  The ability to extract clear information and follow logical rules.
  
  
• Synthesis
  The extent to which known information can be combined to make new connections and inferences.
  
  
• Judgement
  The degree to which someone is able to work with ambiguous information to make informed judgements.

The test also provides an indication of the confidence that test takers have in the decisions they make in each of the skill areas. This provides an important insight into the way personal decision making style is related to judgement and risk.