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I don't think it will gain too much traction. Aptitude tests only tell you so much. Nothing is more common than a "smart" person with no motivation, self-discipline, or interpersonal skills. A college degree not only demonstrates aptitude, but a broad suite of skills (writing and math for two), and evidence of follow through.
How could a college degree demonstrate writing and math skills better than tests done specifically to measure writing and math skills?
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Besides, if the aptitude scores show important variation by race (likely), or whatever, and are used to justify hiring of a subset of races, a massive law suit would be a given.
Generally, I like our current system. Look at their education, their additional experience, hobbies, achievements, read their cover letter to see if they can communicate, call their references to see if they were an asset to their former employers, and give them an interview to see if they can make the sale. I cannot see how all that information could be replaced by a single score. If a person nails all of those, I feel comfortable offering a job, regardless of their "aptitude."
Without the threat of disparate impact lawsuits you could look at all those things, plus aptitude (IQ) math, writing and whatever else you wanted to test for and learn far more about a person than what their college degree tells you.
Fiddlehead deserves a of of credit for describing 80% of the workplaces so accurately. I lost a couple of jobs because I argued with a boss and they could not tolerate that I was correct in my analysis. I spent the last 25 years of my career doing what I was told and blending in as much as possible. The result was a decent pension and really good health insurance. I consider that fair payment for 25 years of applied boredom. If I had won the lottery I would have quit in a split instant.
It appears difficult for most graduates to realize they are working for the money. Enjoying your job is a bonus.
I recently read about a large corporation that places no value on degrees or experience, but rather on how well job candidates perform on its aptitude tests. Google has the GLAT, and really most STEM centered corporations have similar tests... but it seems that corporate America is rapidly adopting that strategy for all levels of white collar employment. Aptitude tests have become the most recent corporate methodology fad.
So what good is the national push for higher education if corporate America will just ignore degrees entirely?
"Big College" needs to be thoroughly investigated in front of congress.
That being said, these corporations are acting the way that they should.
Have to pass a aptitude test to get in the Military so why not.....Then again there are so many posters on CD that can't pass the basic ASVAB. No wonder people poopoo the idea....
I remember a test when I went in the Navy. I did very well on spatial awareness. When I wound up on the Mekong I was glad I had the talent.
The one thing that any college degree proves is that the recipient has a nearly infinite capacity for insignificant trivia and putting up with boredom.
I recently read about a large corporation that places no value on degrees or experience, but rather on how well job candidates perform on its aptitude tests. Google has the GLAT, and really most STEM centered corporations have similar tests... but it seems that corporate America is rapidly adopting that strategy for all levels of white collar employment. Aptitude tests have become the most recent corporate methodology fad.
So what good is the national push for higher education if corporate America will just ignore degrees entirely?
You are assuming that your theory is already happening.
Good luck getting a decent job without a college degree.
If corporations relied solely on an aptitude tests to determine who to hire, I can guarantee there will be wide scale complaints of unfairness. Anyone can have a bad day and imagine all your experience rendered pointless because you choked on a test.
I remember a test when I went in the Navy. I did very well on spatial awareness. When I wound up on the Mekong I was glad I had the talent.
The one thing that any college degree proves is that the recipient has a nearly infinite capacity for insignificant trivia and putting up with boredom.
Armed service vocational aptitude battery....Introduced in 1968
I recently read about a large corporation that places no value on degrees or experience, but rather on how well job candidates perform on its aptitude tests. Google has the GLAT, and really most STEM centered corporations have similar tests... but it seems that corporate America is rapidly adopting that strategy for all levels of white collar employment. Aptitude tests have become the most recent corporate methodology fad.
So what good is the national push for higher education if corporate America will just ignore degrees entirely?
This isn't any new corporate methodology fad. I remember taking some kind of aptitude test back in 1978, and have take numerous such tests when applying for jobs ever since. These positions ranged from entry level to vice president. How is this any different from tests such as the GRE, GMAT or LSAT when applying to grad or law school? It has nothing to do with any kind of national push for higher education.
Companies obviously want to hire the best person. I would prefer to have the results of an aptitude test when making a hiring decision rather than the results of a personality test that some HR departments like to give.
I did have a new test recently. I had to write an essay as part of an interview. It was the first time an essay had ever been required. I think it is an excellent idea and is quite revealing about a job candidate.
If corporations relied solely on an aptitude tests to determine who to hire, I can guarantee there will be wide scale complaints of unfairness. Anyone can have a bad day and imagine all your experience rendered pointless because you choked on a test.
Probably true.
Also, those who test well can be flaky. I was good on tests and skated through school. Great short term memory. Like the guy in Stripes, I once learned a semester of geology in one night, and pulled the high score on the final in a huge lecture class. Six months later, I did not remember a thing about the topic, which shames me to this day. I did the bare minimum. It was not until about my last year of college that I realized I was just screwing myself be doing that stuff. Thereafter, I learned self-discipline and developed a work ethic (I still work on both to this day-laziness is always at the door!), which are much more useful qualities than test smarts, IMO.
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