Journal of Research Administration

Abstract

This research was designed to design and test a standardized tool to assess cognitive agility in students in secondary school. Cognitive agility, which was viewed as the capacity to flexibly switch thinking and adapt to dynamic learning environments, was conceptualized in five-dimensions viz., problem-solving skills, creativity, learning speed and working memory, decision-making, and open-mindedness. Based on the conventional scale development methods, a 35-item, 5-point Likert-type Cognitive Agility Scale (CAS) was designed and confirmed with the help of 350 students’ data. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) supported the five factors solution with 62 percent of the total variance and the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) provided evidence of good model fit (CFI =.90, TLI =.88, RMSEA =.06). The analysis of reliability revealed a high degree of internal consistency within the dimensions (α =.75 -.82) and a high overall (α =.89). The CAS showed good psychometric qualities and offered an educator good instrument to evaluate and improve adaptive thinking, creativity, and decision making in the 21stcentury education.