Army Beta was a psychological test developed in the early 20th century to assess the intelligence of illiterate recruits during World War I. It was designed to measure non-verbal skills through tasks like pattern recognition and problem-solving, making it suitable for individuals who could not read or write. The test was part of a larger effort by the U.S. Army to evaluate the mental capabilities of soldiers. It aimed to classify recruits into different categories based on their cognitive abilities, helping the military assign roles that matched their skills and potential.