To supplement previous reliability and validity studies concerning the Noncognitive Questionnaire (NCQ), new NCQ items were written and assessed in relation to the original eight NCQ scales. The NCQ measures eight non-traditional or non-cognitive variables that relate to minority student retention--positive self-concept, realistic self-appraisal, understanding and dealing with racism, preferring long-range goals to short-term or immediate needs, availability of strong support person, successful leadership experience, demonstrated community service, and knowledge acquired in a field. As it has been reported that the original eight variables could be related to particular aspects of academic success among minority and non-traditional students, it was determined that stress-coping abilities might be correlated with the NCQ. The construct validity and congruent validity of the NCQ were further established by studying its correlation with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), a stress-coping measure, and correlating new and original NCQ items. The study involved administration of the NCQ and the PSS to 251 incoming 1987-88 freshmen attending summer orientation sessions at the University of Maryland (College Park). Data were analyzed via a principal components factor analysis, using squared multiple correlations as communality estimates, and varimax rotation of all factors with eigenvalues greater than one. Several original NCQ variables correlated highly with both new NCQ items and the stress questionnaire items. One table presents construct and congruent validity data for the NCQ and PSS. (TJH)