Research for Personnel Classification Tests

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Using the High School ASVAB in 9th and 10th Grades
July 1, 1986
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is administered in high schools as part of the Defense Department's recruiting effort. Norms based on a national sample are currently available for grades 11 and 12 only. These were computed from data collected by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) in 1980. Additional data from a nonrandom sample were collected in 1984 by the Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPCOM). The objectives of the present study were to examine the psychometric appropriateness of using the ASVAB in 9th and 10th grades and to develop norms for these grades. Analysis of appropriateness was based on conventional test and item statistics, and factor analysis. The use of ASVAB in 9th and 10th grades was found to be psychometrically appropriate. Ninth and 10th grade norms were developed by transforming MEPCOM cumulative percentages into national percentile scores. Transformation curves were obtained by combining information from MEPCOM and NORC samples in grades 11 and 12. The average transformation was then used in 9th and 10th grades to convert MEPCOM cumulative percentages into national percentile scores.
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Subpopulation Differences in Equating Computerized Adaptive and Paper-and-Pencil Versions of the ASVAB
June 1, 1986
Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) and Paper-and-Pencil (PP) Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) scores are equated in several subpopulations to determine if racial minorities, females, those who did not complete high school, or individuals lacking experience using computers would be at a disadvantage if CAT rather than PP scores were used for selection. Equating is generally independent of population group.
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Examining the Validity of Hands-On Tests as Measures of Job Performance
May 1, 1986
Having been designated as the benchmark for assessing on-the-job performance, hands-on tests need to be examined for the quality of their measurement. This analysis evaluates the measurement validity of hands-on tests based on the results of tests developed for three Marine Corps Military Occupational Specialties (MOS): Ground Radio Repair; Automotive Mechanic; and Infantry Rifleman.
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Evaluation of Alternative Compositions of the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT)
May 1, 1986
This paper evaluates seventeen ASVAB composites that were proposed as alternatives to replace the current AFQT. The alternatives are evaluated primarily on the basis of their predictive validity and their effects on the applicant pool.
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Effects of Using Subtest Standard Scores in Calculating AFQT Percentile Scores
May 1, 1986
The Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) is currently constructed from a sum of subtest raw scores converted to percentile scores. This paper examines advantages and disadvantages of constructing AFQT percentile scores from sums of subtest standard scores.
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Effect of the Medium of Administration on ASVAB Item Response Curves
April 1, 1986
Within a few years the Department of Defense may begin administering the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) using Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). Each test item is characterized by an Item Response Curve (IRC), which describes how the probability of correctly answering the item increases with ability. One important question in the CAT project is whether the IRCs are the same in paper-pencil and CAT administrations. This paper examines this issue.
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Inconsistent Scores on Speeded ASVAB Subtests
April 1, 1986
Data is presented showing that results on high school ASVAB speeded subtests are inconsistent with results on nonspeeded subtests. Causes for the inconsistencies are explored, and corrective actions based on these findings are recommended.
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Equivalence of Scores From Computerized Adaptive and Paper-and- Pencil ASVAB Tests
November 1, 1985
The Department of Defense plans to introduce a Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) version of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) in the near future. To maintain continuity of enlistment standards, the test scores from the current paper-and-pencil and CAT version of ASVAB must be equated. This report examines data from an administration of an early version of CAT to ascertain if any serious problems are likely to occur when equating CAT and paper-and-pencil scores.
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On the Content and Measurement Validity of Hands-On Job Performance Tests
August 1, 1985
Hands-on tests of job performance have intrinsic validity because of their high fidelity to job behavior. However, they are susceptible to poor content and measurement validity. The purpose of this analysis is to examine the content and measurement validity of prototype hands-on tests developed for three Marine Corps specialties - Ground Radio Repair, Automotive Mechanic, and Infantry Rifleman.
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A Model for Drug Testing
August 1, 1985
To make a drug-testing program successful and to minimize the cost of the program, the minimum number of tests that must be given in a specified period to identify a fixed percentage of drug users must be determined. This memorandum presents a Markov model that can be used to determine the number of tests that should be given. In addition, three applications of the model, showing how it can be used to analyze the drug-user population, are presented.
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