The construct of spatial ability is discussed and it is suggested that some widely used and cited tests that are called spatial ability tests may not be valid measures of that ability. Instead, their items may be solved using mental processes that are clearly analytical and not spatial in nature. Four studies involving the analysis of subjects' self-reports of processing are cited to show that different individuals employ different processes and that an individual may change processing strategies within the same test. The Minnesota Paper Form Board is given as an example of a test that is likely to be solved by perceptual-analytic and not by spatial processing. The Purdue Spatial Visualization-Rotation Test (PSVR) is described as an example of a test that was designed to minimize analytic processing and processing variability. Reliability and validity data for the PSVR are reported for several studies including analysis of self-reports of item processing, correlations with other tests, sex-difference studies, and supervisor's ratings of job performance. (Author/CTM)