The development and validation of a shortened and revised version of the Belief in Personal Control Scale (BPCS-RS) are described. Like the original 85-item version of the BPCS, the BPCS-RS measures three empirically derived factors (a belief in general external control of outcomes, an exaggerated belief in personal control of outcomes, and a belief in God-mediated outcomes). The four studies used in the comparative assessment of The BPCS and the BPCS-RS involved: (1) 233 urban university undergraduates; (2) 58 undergraduates; (3) 48 seminary graduate students; and (4) 34 undergraduate psychology students. Correlations between the 85-item BPCS and the 45-item BPCS-RS indicate that the two scales are equivalent. Evidence from a series of studies is presented to support the reliability and validity of the revised scale. It is argued that the BPCS-RS provides an efficient and empirically sound means of assessing several rarely measured dimensions of personal control. Both instruments have the same three-factor structure. Additional evidence for the validity of the exaggerated internal control and God-mediated control factors was provided as well. Two data tables are included. (TJH)