Human Resource Management, 14e, Global Edition (Dessler)
Chapter 6 Employee Testing and Selection
1) Which of the following terms refers to hiring workers who have criminal backgrounds without
proper safeguards?
A) employment malpractice
B) negligent hiring
C) improper hiring
D) invalid screening
2) A reliable employment test will most likely yield ________.
A) consistent scores when a person takes two alternate forms of the test
B) improved scores when a person takes the same test more than once in a single day
C) high scores when a person takes two alternate forms of the test on different occasions
D) similar scores when two different people are administered the test at different times
3) If a person scores a 70 on an intelligence test on one day and scores 110 when retested on
another day, you would most likely conclude that this test is ________.
A) valid
B) invalid
C) reliable
D) unreliable
4) If a person scores a 78 on a test on one day and scores a 79 when retested on another day, you
would most likely conclude that this test is ________.
A) valid
B) invalid
C) reliable
D) unreliable
5) Which of the following terms refers to the consistency of scores obtained by the same person
when retested with alternate forms of the same test?
A) equivalency
B) reliability
C) expectancy
D) validity
6) Which of the following best describes how to use a retest estimate to assess reliability?
A) administer a test with content based on what a person actually needs to know to effectively
perform the job in question
B) administer the same test to different people at two different points in time and compare their
test scores at time 2 with the scores at time 1
C) administer different tests to a group of people and compare the range of collected test scores
D) administer the same test to the same people at two different points in time and compare their
test scores at time 2 with their scores at time 1
7) Which of the following measures reliability by administering two different yet comparable
tests and then comparing the two test scores?
A) retest estimate
B) equivalent form estimate
C) internal comparison estimate
D) criterion validity measurement
8) ________ is used as an estimate of reliability and involves administering a test with x number
of items designed to assess a topic and then statistically analyzing the degree to which responses
to the items vary together.
A) Retest estimate
B) Equivalent form estimate
C) Content validity estimate
D) Internal comparison estimate
9) All of the following are used for estimating reliability of a test EXCEPT ________.
A) test-retest estimate
B) internal comparison estimate
C) equivalent form estimate
D) content validity measurement
10) When repetitive questions appear on a questionnaire, which of the following is most likely
being measured?
A) test validity
B) retest estimate
C) internal consistency
D) criterion validity
11) The unreliability of a test is best explained by all of the following EXCEPT ________.
A) poor sampling of question material
B) lack of equivalence between tests
C) inconsistent testing conditions
D) failure to predict job performance
12) Which of the following terms refers to the accuracy with which a test fulfills the function for
which it was designed?
A) reliability
B) validity
C) expectancy
D) consistency
13) Demonstrating the content validity of a test can be best accomplished by showing that
________.
A) tasks performed on the test are general enough to apply to any type of job
B) higher test scores are statistically equivalent to proven, long-term job success
C) conditions under which the test is administered resemble the work situation
D) scores on the test are both internally and externally reliable
14) The first step in the test validation process is ________.
A) creating a test battery
B) administering tests
C) analyzing the job
D) cross-validating
15) Which of the following is a graph that shows the relationship between test scores and job
performance for a group of people?
A) performance standard
B) digital dashboard
C) competency model
D) expectancy chart
16) What is the primary disadvantage of using concurrent validation?
A) Current employees may not be representative of new applicants.
B) New applicants are recent college graduates with limited experience.
C) Limited correlation exists between high test scores and job performance.
D) Test batteries have not been administered by professional industrial psychologists.
17) ________ validation is considered the most dependable method of validating an employment
test.
A) Applicable
B) Predictive
C) Concurrent
D) Statistical
18) The process of cross-validating a test involves all of the following EXCEPT ________.
A) using a new sample of employees
B) administering additional tests
C) evaluating the relationship between scores and performance
D) developing and analyzing a scatter plot of scores versus performance
19) According to the American Psychological Association, all of the following are rights of test
takers EXCEPT the right to expect ________.
A) informed consent regarding the use of test results
B) scores to be interpreted by qualified individuals
C) tests to be the only selection tools for a job
D) fairness of the test for all who take it
20) According to a survey conducted by the American Management Association, most
employers who administer tests to applicants are measuring ________.
A) job skills
B) psychological behaviors
C) interpersonal behaviors
D) ethical opinions
21) For over 40 years, Golden Creamery has been mixing up fresh, gourmet ice cream for
customers. The company originated in Dallas and now boasts stores in 35 states. The business
has primarily expanded by selling franchises to qualified candidates. Golden Creamery
executives realize that the firm’s success depends upon the success of each franchise. In the past,
each individual franchise owner determined the best method for screening applicants. However,
as the firm grows, Golden Creamery executives want to standardize the hiring process by
requiring all franchisees to use the same preemployment tests.
Which of the following best supports the argument that Golden Creamery should use a certified
psychologist to develop preemployment tests?
A) Golden Creamery needs to comply with all federal and state laws.
B) Golden Creamery competitors use psychologists for test development.
C) Golden Creamery strives to create a conscientious organizational culture.
D) Golden Creamery needs to ensure that tests are legally and ethically appropriate.
22) For over 40 years, Golden Creamery has been mixing up fresh, gourmet ice cream for
customers. The company originated in Dallas and now boasts stores in 35 states. The business
has primarily expanded by selling franchises to qualified candidates. Golden Creamery
executives realize that the firm’s success depends upon the success of each franchise. In the past,
each individual franchise owner determined the best method for screening applicants. However,
as the firm grows, Golden Creamery executives want to standardize the hiring process by
requiring all franchisees to use the same preemployment tests.
Which of the following, if true, supports the argument that Golden Creamery should require
franchise owners to use the firm’s preemployment tests?
A) Hourly employees at Golden Creamery stores typically remain with the company long
enough to be promoted to management positions.
B) Golden Creamery franchise owners pay an initial franchise fee and receive a percentage of
sales royalties in return.
C) Annual turnover rates for hourly employees of Golden Creamery stores are three times the
rate of comparable businesses.
D) Individuals interested in working at a Golden Creamery store can complete online
applications on the firm’s Web site.
23) For over 40 years, Golden Creamery has been mixing up fresh, gourmet ice cream for
customers. The company originated in Dallas and now boasts stores in 35 states. The business
has primarily expanded by selling franchises to qualified candidates. Golden Creamery
executives realize that the firm’s success depends upon the success of each franchise. In the past,
each individual franchise owner determined the best method for screening applicants. However,
as the firm grows, Golden Creamery executives want to standardize the hiring process by
requiring all franchisees to use the same preemployment tests.
Which of the following questions is most relevant to Golden Creamery’s decision to implement
preemployment testing for all franchises?
A) Should Golden Creamery use internal or external sources for job candidates?
B) How will Golden Creamery ensure the confidentiality of an applicant’s test results?
C) How does testing correlate with Golden Creamery’s mission and vision statements?
D) What is the role of testing in Golden Creamery’s strategic performance management system?
24) ________ tests include assessments of general reasoning ability and of specific mental
abilities like memory and inductive reasoning.
A) Motor ability
B) Personality
C) Achievement
D) Cognitive
25) Grafton Industries administers selection tests to job candidates. The tests measure a range of
abilities including memory, vocabulary, verbal fluency, and numerical ability, so they are most
likely ________ tests.
A) standardized
B) intelligence
C) achievement
D) personality
26) All of the following are measured by aptitude tests EXCEPT ________.
A) deductive reasoning
B) numerical ability
C) temperament
D) memory
27) As part of the selection process for a position at UPS, Jack has been asked to lift weights and
jump rope. Which of the following is most likely being measured by UPS?
A) interpersonal skills
B) cognitive skills
C) physical abilities
D) achievements
28) Carl recently participated in a selection test for a position at Northern Aeronautics. The test
measured Carl’s finger dexterity and reaction time, so it was most likely a ________ test.
A) motor ability
B) personality
C) cognitive
D) interest
29) All of the following are most likely assessed on personality tests EXCEPT ________.
A) introversion
B) reasoning
C) sensitivity
D) emotional stability
30) According to experts, most people are hired for their qualifications and fired for their
________.
A) physical limitations
B) lack of aptitude
C) nonperformance
D) psychological issues
31) Make a Picture Story and the Forer Structured Sentence Completion Test are examples of
________ tests.
A) intelligence
B) apperception
C) self-reported
D) projective
32) All of the following are examples of self-reported personality tests EXCEPT ________.
A) Minnesota Paper Form Board Test
B) Guilford-Zimmerman Survey
C) Make a Picture Story
D) Myers Briggs Test
33) The Big Five personality dimensions include all of the following EXCEPT ________.
A) neuroticism
B) optimism
C) extroversion
D) conscientiousness
34) Which of the following personality dimensions represents a tendency to exhibit poor
emotional adjustment and experience negative effects such as anxiety, insecurity, and hostility?
A) neuroticism
B) extroversion
C) conscientiousness
D) openness to experience
35) ________ represents a tendency to be sociable, assertive, and active.
A) Extroversion
B) Conscientiousness
C) Agreeableness
D) Openness to experience
36) Mike Simmons recently applied for a position with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. Which
personality trait most likely has the strongest correlation to Mike’s success as a pharmaceutical
sales representative?
A) extroversion
B) agreeableness
C) conscientiousness
D) openness to experience
37) Which personality characteristic refers to the disposition to be imaginative, nonconforming,
and unconventional?
A) extroversion
B) conscientiousness
C) neuroticism
D) openness to experience
38) The tendency for one to be trusting, compliant, caring, and gentle is the personality
dimension known as ________.
A) extroversion
B) conscientiousness
C) agreeableness
D) openness to experience
39) Which personality characteristic is comprised of both achievement and dependability?
A) neuroticism
B) extroversion
C) conscientiousness
D) agreeableness
40) While some personality characteristics are associated with success in different types of jobs,
which personality trait is most frequently associated with job performance in all jobs?
A) openness to experience
B) conscientiousness
C) extroversion
D) agreeableness
41) Red Robin Gourmet Burgers is a national restaurant chain with nearly 36,000 employees that
began as a small restaurant in Seattle. Over the years, Red Robin has attempted to develop a
reputation as a fun, family restaurant that offers both excellent food and service. Red Robin’s
core values—honor, integrity, having fun, and continually seeking knowledge—serve as the
basis for all of the firm’s decisions and are even embroidered on the sleeves of every employee’s
uniform. As Red Robin continues to expand, executives are considering adding tests to the
screening process.
Which of the following, if true, would best support the argument that Red Robin should use
personality tests in the employee selection process?
A) Red Robin encourages employees to participate in the firm’s environmental stewardship
program to show community support.
B) Red Robin seeks outgoing, motivated, and compassionate employees to enhance the
experience of its customers.
C) Red Robin offers monetary incentives to managers who meet quarterly sales targets and
exceed performance expectations.
D) Red Robin desires employees with extensive knowledge of the restaurant industry and at least
two years of experience serving customers.
42) Red Robin Gourmet Burgers is a national restaurant chain with nearly 36,000 employee that
began as a small restaurant in Seattle. Over the years, Red Robin has attempted to develop a
reputation as a fun, family restaurant that offers both excellent food and service. Red Robin’s
core values—honor, integrity, having fun, and continually seeking knowledge—serve as the
basis for all of the firm’s decisions and are even embroidered on the sleeves of every employee’s
uniform. As Red Robin continues to expand, executives are considering adding tests to the
screening process.
Which of the following, if true, would most likely undermine the argument that Red Robin
should use achievement tests in the employee selection process?
A) Red Robin receives so many applications that it only considers individuals with previous job
experience in the restaurant industry.
B) Red Robin provides a two-week training session to all new hires, which are frequently college
students with little experience in the restaurant industry.
C) Red Robin expects applicants for management positions to understand current EEO laws and
be aware of ADA requirements.
D) Red Robin requires applicants for cashier positions to take typing tests to assess their speed at
the cash register.
43) An interest inventory compares an applicant’s current interests with the interests of
________.
A) retired workers
B) other people in the same industry
C) other people in various occupations
D) managers and executives in the firm
44) Which of the following is used to measure job knowledge?
A) aptitude tests
B) interest inventories
C) achievement tests
D) projective tests
45) With the work sampling technique, applicants are ________.
A) asked to submit examples of projects they have completed for other employers
B) tested on their ability to perform several tasks crucial to performing the job of interest
C) tested on their ability to perform a range of tasks related to several positions in a firm
D) given video-based situational interviews to assess their critical thinking skills
46) Which of the following is the primary advantage of the work sampling technique?
A) Applicants find it difficult to fake answers.
B) Employers learn about an applicant’s personality.
C) Applicants can evaluate their own performance.
D) Fine motor skills can be accurately assessed over time.