Aptitude Assessment Tests - Essay Example

Psychology Tests: an example of Aptitude Assessment Tests.

An amplitude assessment test is a way of finding out the abilities of a candidate for a job systematically by performing certain tasks and finding out their reactions to a wide range of various situations. The results of the test then undergo quantification as they compare with those of other candidates. Mostly they are administered online; hence no previous knowledge is required(Roach,2014). An example of aptitude assessment tests in psychology tests. The purpose of psychological testing is to spot several mental capabilities and attributes, including achievements and ability, personality traits, and neurological operations. Initially, a job candidate applies for their job after unqualified candidates are filtered from the selection process without conducting one on one interviews. Several employers use tests provided by Talent Q, Cubiks accompanied with interview stories, application documents, and assessment places involved in selecting these candidates. Amplitude tests such as psychology tests are thus useful in showcasing an individual's talents, personal strengths, and weaknesses. These tests focus on the candidates’ accomplishments and give the employer a glimpse of what the individual can deliver in the future. Such tests are not perfect, for they have several sources of error.

With each passing year, aptitude tests for assessing candidates are becoming more common as a test method used by teachers, administrators as well as counselors. In this case, psychological tests are the main methods of amplitude assessment employed in the first stages of an interview. Unfortunately, there exist several possibilities of error not considered while carrying out these tests (Roach, 2014). First and foremost, the biggest error that exists in amplitude tests is the misrepresentation of the candidate’s talents and abilities. If the employer is not specific in what they want to achieve when conducting amplitude tests, then things such as talents will lose meaning. The second error is that amplitudes performance is not directly proportional to job delivery. Just because someone scored well in an amplitude test does not mean that they will register good performance at work. Thirdly, aptitude tests strip the candidates of their identity, which is a big error for recruiting people. Personal attributes such as personal drive, enthusiasm, and quick evaluation of situations are not evaluated during amplitude tests.

Describe how a standardized test for college admission has become a controversial issue.

Over the years, the application of standardized tests in the United States of America has escalated and reshaped the education system tremendously. Contrary to the standardized test's popularity, the use of these tests during college admissions has become a controversial issue, with thousands of institutions adopting other test methods. For instance, there is a controversy in the use of SAT and ACT in college admissions. They are culturally biased to African Americans and people of lower social class, which has become a huge debate among many Americans (Meyers, 2015). The United States Secretary of education even came forward to admit that standardized tests have a bad reputation; hence policymakers have to listen keenly to the concerns and address them immediately. Additionally, standardized tests are becoming more controversial because they do not measure students' ability to integrate or apply knowledge, for they reduce the curriculum creating many opportunities for cheating during the tests.

Standardized tests create further controversy during college admissions because teachers from schools with low resources do not focus on teaching students but rather focus on preparing candidates for these tests. Students from these schools experience very shallow teaching because all their focus is on passing these standardized tests. By the end of the day, you find that these students only know what will be in the tests and not educative knowledge. Minority students are affected because their teachers are under high pressure to prepare for these standardized tests adequately. Due to the increased need for raised standards and accountability tests, several scholars and policymakers have focused their attention on supporting policy solutions to improve the lives of minority students (Meyers, 2015). For several scholars, this entails narrowing the gap between black and white students to create a fairground of examination for all the students. In addition to that, good standardized tests will have to address the achievements between different races and ethnic groups. Moreover, it is important to understand that standardized tests are tools to be used for certain purposes, hence if one uses it for other purposes that it was not designed to, then one might be committing more harm than good.

Discuss the issues with the education system’s reliance on the No Child Left Behind Act and its criticism.

No Child Left Behind is a law that was passed in 2002 that updated the elementary education act and was supposed to make schools accountable for student’s results. This education act came into existence because the American education system was not competing effectively internationally. The main significance of this act was strengthening the schools' role and make them more accountable for the academic success of all the students (Husband, & Hunt, 2015). Special focus was instilled to ensure that schools increase the performance of specific groups of students, including students pursuing special education, poor students, and students from minority groups. States were not necessarily required to comply with this act, but if they failed, they lost all the federal money. In this law, states were expected to tests students their reading and mathematical skills in grades 3, 8, and once they joined high school. Scored results are to be reported for the whole student population and those of particular subgroups. Additionally, teachers were supposed to be highly qualified in that they hold a bachelor’s degree in the subject they taught and certified by the state.

Major criticisms of the No Child Left Behind act, however, emerged with time. First, the law did not improve students’ performance at all. For instance, in several cases, students did not utilize the opportunities offered to transfer to another school or make use of the free tutors. States faced a lot of hardships while interviewing qualified tutors. States also failed in implementing agreed strategies to institutions that are failing rapidly. Secondly, another criticism is on the law focusing too much on the use of standardized tests. Emphasizing math calculations and reading examinations led to the narrowing of the curriculum, which forced many schools to spend all the time on subjects tested in standardized tests. Seemingly, another criticism stems from a lack of funding of the act (Husband, & Hunt, 2015). Originally, the law dictated increased funding for education to offset the act''s goals, but the federal never stepped up to fund the education system. Lack of funding made it very difficult for states to implement this act in schools, ultimately leading to the law's total ineffectiveness. What is even more disappointing is that most states have ignored the law, especially the equal distribution of teachers in poor and wealthy schools, leading to severe dwindling of the law.

Discuss why it is important to explore a candidate’s abilities and true potential.

True potential refers to the power to perform effectively over a long time. Contractors are used to raising the short term production. The hiring of employees is important so that long term achievements of the company can be achieved. To achieve long term potential, one must fully explore the candidate’s abilities and true potential. The main significance of exploring one's potential is that true potential never becomes obsolete. Skills and talents may fade with time. However, the ability of an individual to adapt, reshape, and modify does not change. Individuals who adapt to new skills stand the highest chance of success (Salbach et al., 2015). Secondly, exploring a candidate’s ability is essential because it ensures that whoever gets the role fits perfectly. Good recruitment ensures that the place of work is enriched with relevant abilities currently and shortly.

Additionally, getting the candidate's abilities enables the employer to know whether the candidate’s skills and ability to align with the organization’s demands and culture. Additionally, a candidate’s ability will dictate the social behavior of an individual. When analyzing the candidates’ abilities, one can easily determine how they behave in a social set up. How a candidate speaks, the body language expressed, the choice of words during the assessment will determine how the person will behave once employed. To get the best, one has to invest in the best. Exploring the full potential of the candidates will ensure one gets the candidates with great potential for success. Effective performance invested into the company by such employees will ensure that the workplace achieves maximum potential.

Review the advantages of a client/student learning about their strengths and weaknesses can be helpful in their future goals

Learning about one's weaknesses and strengths is very advantageous and is very helpful in achieving future goals. As a student, one needs to learn about their capacities since it enables an individual to push themselves further.it is also equally important to identify their weaknesses because they are guided on what one is supposed to improve. For one to improve their strengths and weaknesses, the first step knows them. The main significance of a student knowing their strengths and weaknesses is getting a clearer understanding of them and how to function (Salbach et al., 2015). Comprehending someone’s strengths keeps them ahead of many issues. For instance, if one considers various career options that they have, it is easier to narrow down to a particular job based on the activities one does best.

Additionally, being aware of personal strengths and shortcomings gives someone room for growth. Knowledge of what an individual excels best at, makes them achieve higher than their expectations. Seemingly, knowledge of someone’s weaknesses gives them a critical understanding of things that might be inhibiting one from achieving maximum success hence providing room for improvement (Barett, 2011). Generally, it is more beneficial to focus on someone’s strengths. Focusing on strengths will require less energy and time since one is already good at it. Concentrating on the weaknesses will decrease an individual’s self-confidence, enthusiastic personality, and general performance. One should work on their weaknesses because it enhances personal growth.

A test measuring constructs.

An example of a test for amplitude assessment is the inductive reasoning tests. Such tests are supposed to explore the ability of an individual to reason effectively. Inductive reasoning tests recognize hoe effectively; an individual can identify the internal logic in patterns instead of words and numbers. Seemingly, these tests are the same as diagrammatic and abstract reasoning tests. While these tests possess different names, their concept is to examine a candidate's ability to solve problems logically. Inductive reasoning tests are the most common forms of amplitude assessment. Seemingly, these tests are utilized in testing candidates for engineering or very technical jobs (Barret, 2011). These tests are classified as psychometric and are often used in choosing applicants for job functions that include engineering or Information Technology.one has to reason logically or methodically within the clock to identify patterns in the series of graphics. Normally, the most effective way to take part in inductive reasoning tests is to identify a pattern in the first two and three figures and concurrently test the theory by counterchecking if that fits with the following figures. When it comes to all the other amplitude tests, work as fast and accurately as one can. If you are not sure of the response, leave it for a while then revisit it after finishing the rest of the assessment if you get time. Doing practice ample would be an added advantage if one practiced using different samples before doing the real inductive tests.

Standardized tests create further controversy during college admissions because teachers from schools with low resources do not focus on teaching students but rather focus on preparing candidates for these tests. Students from these schools experience very shallow teaching because all their focus is on passing these standardized tests. By the end of the day, you find that these students only know what will be in the tests and not educative knowledge. Minority students are affected because their teachers are under high pressure to prepare for these standardized tests adequately. Due to the increased need for raised standards and accountability tests, several scholars and policymakers have focused their attention on supporting policy solutions to improve the lives of minority students (Meyers, 2015). For several scholars, this entails narrowing the gap between black and white students to create a fairground of examination for all the students. In addition to that, good standardized tests will have to address the achievements between different races and ethnic groups. Moreover, it is important to understand that standardized tests are tools to be used for certain purposes, hence if one uses it for other purposes that it was not designed to, then one might be committing more harm than good.

Discuss the issues with the education system’s reliance on the No Child Left Behind Act and its criticism.

No Child Left Behind is a law that was passed in 2002 that updated the elementary education act and was supposed to make schools accountable for student’s results. This education act came into existence because the American education system was not competing effectively internationally. The main significance of this act was strengthening the schools' role and make them more accountable for the academic success of all the students (Husband, & Hunt, 2015). Special focus was instilled to ensure that schools increase the performance of specific groups of students, including students pursuing special education, poor students, and students from minority groups. States were not necessarily required to comply with this act, but if they failed, they lost all the federal money. In this law, states were expected to tests students their reading and mathematical skills in grades 3, 8, and once they joined high school. Scored results are to be reported for the whole student population and those of particular subgroups. Additionally, teachers were supposed to be highly qualified in that they hold a bachelor’s degree in the subject they taught and certified by the state.

Major criticisms of the No Child Left Behind act, however, emerged with time. First, the law did not improve students’ performance at all. For instance, in several cases, students did not utilize the opportunities offered to transfer to another school or make use of the free tutors. States faced a lot of hardships while interviewing qualified tutors. States also failed in implementing agreed strategies to institutions that are failing rapidly. Secondly, another criticism is on the law focusing too much on the use of standardized tests. Emphasizing math calculations and reading examinations led to the narrowing of the curriculum, which forced many schools to spend all the time on subjects tested in standardized tests. Seemingly, another criticism stems from a lack of funding of the act (Husband, & Hunt, 2015). Originally, the law dictated increased funding for education to offset the act''s goals, but the federal never stepped up to fund the education system. Lack of funding made it very difficult for states to implement this act in schools, ultimately leading to the law's total ineffectiveness. What is even more disappointing is that most states have ignored the law, especially the equal distribution of teachers in poor and wealthy schools, leading to severe dwindling of the law.

Discuss why it is important to explore a candidate’s abilities and true potential. Read More