Analyzes critically and integrates the legal, psychometric, and professional literature on the use and misuse of cutoff scores by managers to help make personnel decisions. Examines alternative methods in relation to legal precedents set by the courts, to psychometric principles, and to the various sets of professional guidelines. (Author/ABL)

Data on 21 performance tests, entry level and promotional, motor and verbal, were evaluated for 263 applicants for city government jobs over a 17-month period. In comparison to paper and pencil tests, performance tests were more cost-effective, more face valid, and more acceptable to applicants in this situation. (Author/KC)