An exploratory study of the effectiveness of the critical reasoning test battery as a developmental selection tool: a case of a retail company

Abstract

Companies around the world strive to ensure that the best is employed to perform the jobs and tasks needed by them and therefore many companies use psychometric tests as a selection tool to aid their appointment decisions. Although the psychometric test is scientific and provides insights about the strengths and weaknesses of individuals, it is important that the tests that are used are valid, reliable, and fair to be worthwhile for the organization, and are perceived as such by the individuals that are taking the test. This research examines the test results of respondents that completed both the verbal and numerical aptitude tests as part of a selection test battery that is used at a retail company based in the Western Cape. The study harnessed a quantitative research approach that used the secondary data of the company. Various statistical analyses, which included a t-Test, Analysis of variance (ANOVA), and correlations, were conducted. The data sample (n=202) of the raw scores of the Critical Reasoning Test Battery was analyzed to establish whether any disparities existed across the scores achieved by different race groups, age groups, and gender groups