A functional design model for a computerized adaptive testing (CAT) system was developed and presented through a series of hierarchy plus input-process-output (HIPO) diagrams. System functions were translated into system structure: specifically, into 34 software components. Implementation of the design in a physical system was addressed through…

Investigated the efficacy of a test of vocational knowledge to assist in decision-making and career-planning for deaf and hard of hearing adults. Results indicated that the type of school attended by the client influenced vocational knowledge scores more than any other factor considered. (Author/ABB)

The Nordic Test Development Group prepared proficiency tests of English designed to provide reliable information on which to base decisions as to whether a candidate would be able to function in a job as described or whether he could be trained to do so. Two subtests used a modified cloze procedure. (Author/CFM)

Direct-observation techniques were used to analyze the occupational skills of both employed and unemployed adults. Results indicated that employed adults performed significantly better than unemployed on each of 13 job-related skills assessed. These differences were found for both job-findings and job-retention skills. (Author)

The author reports that the use of tests both for personnel selection and promotion is increasing. Reasons for this phenomenon are explored and various civil rights issues are considered. The author discusses the issue of test validity and various legal challenges to employment testing. (CH)

A random sample of 889 certified public accountants was administered modified versions of the Job Descriptive Index and the Downs and Hazen Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire. There were 310 (35 percent) usable questionnaires returned. Factor analysis indicated that the accountants viewed job satisfaction and communication satisfaction as…

The test equating accuracy of content-representative anchors (subsets of items in common) versus nonrepresentative, but substantially longer, anchors was compared for a professional certification examination. Through a chain of equatings, it was found that content representation in anchors was critical. (Author/GDC)

Blind vocational rehabilitation clients (N=100) were administered the Displacing and Turning tests of the Minnesota Rate of Manipulation Tests after three practice trials. Subjects essentially scored lower than people with normal vision, with their means on both tests being at the first percentile of the norms for sighted persons. (Author/DB)

The relationship between scores on a typical bar exam and the ability to practice law was investigated with 485 applicants who took the bar exam and a 2-day performance test involving basic oral and written legal tasks. These tasks consisted of simulated cases; each participant functioned as the attorney for the plantiff in one case and as the…

Recent attempts to reduce the adverse impact of examinations have focused on alternatives to written tests. The present report, however, demonstrates how the adverse impact of written tests can be reduced by correcting for the degree to which a job applicant had been educationally and/or economically disadvantaged or deprived. A measure of…

Meta-analytic techniques were used to analyze the effects of age, education, and work experience on General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB) validities and test scores. The sample consisted of 30,568 subjects from 143 Specific Aptitude Test Battery (SATB) validation or revalidation studies analyzed since 1972. The effect of these three variables on…

The aptitude scores of 70 physicians in various areas of practice who were tested between 1934 and 1971 were compared with aptitude battery scores obtained by the general population of Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation examinees. For each aptitude test, obtained-score distributions were produced for the time periods of pre-1941, 1941-45, and…

Job relevance and adverse impact are major validity concerns relative to credentializing examinations. This article recommends that examination blueprints utilize a competency model based on: (1) job functions assigned; (2) level of expertise expected given the content and resources available; and (3) specific context and situation in which the…

Interest assessment typically consists of a person indicating whether he or she likes, dislikes, or is indifferent to a task. A more appropriate technology for career interest assessment is needed and one such program is presented. Interest assessment in career counseling has been based on the concept of the "discriminant bridge" developed by…

Test scores on three pretest forms of a content-validated test were correlated with job performance ratings by social worker supervisors. The correlations predicted the job performance ratings of entry level social workers who were employed in urban settings more accurately than those of workers located in rural settings. (Author/PN)