Employment test validation for minority and nonminority clerks with work sample criteria

Abstract

10 tests of intellectual ability and perceptual speed and accuracy were validated against specially developed clerical work samples of telephone company employees, using a newly hired sample of 143 Blacks, 74 Spanish-surnamed, and 195 Whites. Most validity coefficients were statistically significant, and in only 2 out of 36 comparisons were ethnic sample validity coefficients significantly different. A combination of 4 tests was significantly predictive of clerical proficiency for each ethnic sample and for the total combined sample. Comparisons of ethnic sample regression equations indicated that the slopes were essentially the same but that the intercepts differed significantly. The total sample regression equation did not underpredict prospective proficiency levels for minority clerks. A composite predictor found to be appropriate for minority and nonminority applicants for clerical jobs is recommended for employment office use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)