A comparative study was made of the performance of adjusted and maladjusted mentally deficient boys. There is a strong probability that the adjusted group will always score higher than the maladjusted on the Goodenough scale. There is also a strong probability that the adjusted group will have a higher Goodenough test age than is expected by reason of its Binet general mental level. An item analysis was made of the Goodenough scale, and a comparison of the per cent of adjusted and maladjusted earning credit on these items revealed the fact that in all except eight items the per cent differences were in favor of the adjusted group. By abbreviating the original scale to 20 items it was made not only a better instrument for differentiating the maladjusted, but also retained the values of the original scale. There is a strong likelihood that the abbreviated test age will conclusively differentiate the maladjusted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)