Core Abilities Assessment
Development
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Development of the Core Abilities
Assessment
Overview of the Core Abilities Assessment
The Core Abilities Assessment is designed to measure general mental ability of candidates for
entry-level through first-line supervisor positions. Scores on the assessment indicate
candidates’ potential for successfully performing the problem-solving and decision-making
activities commonly encountered in these positions. Scores are also predictive of the speed with
which candidates learn and understand new concepts and acquire job-relevant knowledge.
The Core Abilities Assessment is composed of 20 of the highest quality items from the
Differential Aptitude Tests for Personnel and Career Assessment (DAT for PCA; Bennett,
Seashore, & Wesman, 1991). The items measure various aspects of general mental ability,
including verbal and abstract reasoning, and numerical ability. There is a 15-minute time limit for
completing the Core Abilities Assessment.
More information on the Core Abilities Assessment and DAT for PCA is available by logging into
[Link], accessing the tab that says “Purchasing and Product Inventory,” double-
clicking on the product name (that is, “Core Abilities Assessment,” or “DAT for PCA”), and
then clicking on “Additional Product Information.” The documents available on
[Link] include:
9 Core Abilities Assessment Sample Report
9 Core Abilities Assessment—Development
9 Core Abilities Assessment—Administration Best Practices
9 Core Abilities Assessment—How to Use Results in Employment Selection
9 Core Abilities Assessment—Evidence of Reliability and Validity
9 Differential Aptitude Tests for Personnel and Career Assessment Technical Manual
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Development of the Core Abilities Assessment
Objective in Developing the Assessment
The Core Abilities Assessment was developed to provide professionals involved in employment
selection with a way of quickly measuring abilities that are relevant or core for success in a wide
range of entry-level positions and industries. These abilities include Verbal and Abstract
Reasoning, and Numerical Ability.
Source of Items
The Core Abilities Assessment was developed using items from the Differential Aptitude Tests
for Personnel and Career Assessment (DAT for PCA; Bennett, Seashore, & Wesman, 1991).
The DAT for PCA is an eight-test battery designed to measure an individual’s ability to learn or
succeed in a number of different areas, such as verbal reasoning, mechanical reasoning,
abstract reasoning, and space relations. Since the first edition was published in 1991, the DAT
for PCA has been used extensively for employment selection.
For the initial pilot study of the Core Abilities Assessment, thirty of the best performing items
were selected from the 85-item pool comprising the DAT for PCA Verbal Reasoning, Numerical
Ability, and Abstract Reasoning tests. Classical Test Theory (CTT), Item Response Theory
(IRT), and Differential Item Functioning (Mantel & Haenszel, 1959) analyses were used to
identify the 10 best items from each of these tests.
Core Abilities Assessment Pilot Study
Three hundred and fourteen individuals participated in the Core Abilities Assessment pilot study,
with a majority from skilled trades jobs in the manufacturing industry (n = 207). All participants
completed as many of 30 assessment items as they could within a 30-minute period. Some
participants also completed the Wonderlic Personnel Test (Wonderlic, 1992; n =205), the DAT
Mechanical Reasoning test (Bennett, et al., 1991; n = 123 ), and/or had supervisors who
completed ratings on their job performance (n = 115). The Appendix provides more details
regarding the composition of the sample. The pilot study was conducted from December, 2006
to June, 2007.
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Final Item Selection and Administration Time
The selection of final assessment items was based on CTT and IRT results, evaluation of the
time required to complete the assessment, and the need for balanced content with regard to
item type. The final Core Abilities Assessment contains 20 items, has a 15-minute
administration time, and has nearly equal numbers of Verbal Reasoning (6 items), Numerical
Ability (7 items), and Abstract Reasoning (7 items) items.
Standardization
Information on the reliability and validity of the final Core Abilities Assessment can be
found in the technical report Core Abilities Assessment―Evidence of Reliability and Validity
available at [Link].
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Appendix
Description of the Sample
The information provided in the following tables is based on Core Abilities Assessment data
collected during the period December, 2006 through June, 2007.
Appendix 1. Composition of the Sample by Job Title (n = 288*)
Occupation
Administrative Assistant 2.1%
Clerk 2.1%
Engineer 1.0%
Human Resources Occupations 1.0%
Information Technology Occupations 1.0%
Maintenance 2.1%
Manager 3.8%
Operations Planner 1.0%
Plant Mechanic 67.7%
Purchasing 1.4%
QC Specialist 1.4%
Sales Representative (Non-Retail) 5.2%
Supervisor 4.2%
Team Leader 1.0%
Vice President 1.0%
Other 4.0%
*Twenty-six individuals did not provide a response about their job title.
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Appendix 2. Composition of the Sample by Position Level (n = 288*)
Position Level
Executive; Director 1.4%
Manager 3.8%
Supervisor 4.2%
Professional/Individual Contributor 13.9%
Skilled Trades 71.9%
Hourly/Entry-Level 4.9%
*Twenty-six individuals did not provide a response about their position level.
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References
Bennett, G., Seashore, H., & Wesman, A. (1991). Technical manual for the Differential
Aptitude Tests for Personnel and Career Assessment. San Antonio, TX: The
Psychological Corporation.
Mantel, N., & Haenszel, W. (1959). Statistical aspects of the analysis of data from retrospective
studies of disease. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 22, 719–748.
Wonderlic, E. F. (1992). Wonderlic Personnel Test & scholastic level exam user’s manual.
Libertyville, IL: Wonderlic Personnel Test.
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