Research for Personnel Classification Tests

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Concurrent Versus Enlistment ASVAB in Evaluation of New Tests
March 1, 1990
New kinds of tests are being evaluated as potential additions to the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). They are compared on the basis of the criterion variance they explain when added to the ASVAB. The evaluation may use scores on the ASVAB given during enlistment processing, or a new ASVAB may be administered concurrently with the new tests. This paper compares these two research designs in terms of their effect on evaluation of new tests. The analysis uses Infantry data from the Marine Corps' Job Performance Measurement project, in which concurrent as well as enlistment ASVAB scores are available. While lower increments in explained variances are obtained when the ASVAB is concurrent, the difference between the administrations is small compared to variations across criterion variables and occupational areas.
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The Role of Aptitude Factors in Predicting Hands-on Job Performance
March 1, 1990
It has been claimed that, except in clerical jobs, all the predictive power of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery arises from its measurement of general cognitive ability. This conclusion is based on analyses of training grades. The present paper shows that, when the criterion is hands-on performance, aptitude factors make statistically and practically significant additions to the variance explained by general cognitive ability.
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Hospital Corpsman A- and C-School Success: The Effect of Entry Standards
August 1, 1989
This research memorandum compares the entrance standards for A-school and C-school training in the Hospital Corpsman rating, estimates the number of recruits who do not meet the higher C-school standards, and assesses the potential for shortages in C-school training. The factors that influence A- and C-school performance were analyzed to assess the effect of changes in the entrance standards on average training performance. Finally, policy options to increase the pool of eligible personnel for C-school training were evaluated. These options either raised A-school standards so that a higher proportion of graduates were from the upper aptitude categories or changed C-school standards to allow a higher proportion of graduates to attend.
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Performance of Basic Infantry Tasks
July 1, 1989
Objective empirical data reflecting a Marine's ability to perform basic infantry tasks are rare. Data from the Marine Corps Job Performance Measurement Project are used to describe the performance levels of infantrymen. Performance strengths and weaknesses are identified, and measures reflecting how recently Marines have performed infantry tasks are noted. Results of the interaction of the performance outcomes and the recency of task performance have potential implications for training in infantry tasks.
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Relative Average Recruiting Yields by AFQT Category
May 1, 1989
The number of recruits enlisted from a target population varies significantly by aptitude score. This memorandum calculates the ratio of recruits to population by AFQT category for the fiscal years 1980 to 1987.
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Physical Fitness of Marine Corps Recruits
April 1, 1989
The Marine Corps views the physical fitness of every Marine as essential to its overall effectiveness. This research memorandum reviews the Physical Fitness Test (PFT), estimates the effect of height and weight measures on the PFT scores of recruits, assesses the need for minimum and maximum weight standards, and forecasts the impact of alternative accession standards on physical fitness.
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Analysis of Data Quality for the Infantry Phase of the Marine Corps Job Performance Measurement Project
March 1, 1989
All large-scale data collection efforts must contend with the issue of data quality. This research memorandum examines the quality of data collected for the infantry portion of the Marine Corps Job Performance Measurement Project. Particular attention is focused on data inconsistencies and imputation of missing data.
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A Maximum Likelihood Procedure for Developing a Common Metric in Item-Response Theory
February 1, 1989
Because the ability scale in item-response theory is arbitrary, if two item pools are calibrated in two different samples, their parameter estimates must be placed on a common metric using items administered in both calibrations. In this memorandum, a maximum-likelihood procedure for doing so is illustrated.
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A Comparison of Linear and Equipercentile Test Equating Procedures in Large Samples
December 1, 1988
Scores on new forms of a test are equated to those on an old form. Two common equating procedures are linear and equipercentile. Cross-validation is used to show that, with sample sizes of 6500 and above, equipercentile equating is preferable to linear for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.
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A Comparison of Three Procedures for Operational Calibration of the ASVAB
December 1, 1988
Scores on new forms of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery are equated to those on form 8a, using samples of about 2500 recruits per form. Three equating procedures are compared in terms of how well their results are cross-validated in large applicant samples.
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