Evening star., 1926-04-25
CIVIL SERVICE TRIES OUT NOVEL
INTELLIGENCE AND JOB TESTS
Revolutionary System of Questions and Standards
Examines Applicants for Particular Work
Each Seeks.

vision Of special examinations for oc-
cupationS peculiar to various phases
of the Government operation. The
examination for railway postal clerk
was among the first given study.
The research section began this in
vesSigation by conducting an intensive
study of railway mail clerks at work
on the trains. The methods they used
in asserting and delivering mail were
observed under actual working condi-
tions in railway mail cars and in post
offices. Problems of the service were
discussed with veteran mail clerks.
chief clerks, the general superintend.
ent of the railway mail service and
other high officials
The tests. as finally adopted. were
so made that they presented a cross
section of the work of a railway mail
clerk and a fair measure of the abili-
ties required for that position.
Examiners Work Cut.
One of the first studies was of the
duties OF general clerk" in the Fed
eral departments. A new test has
been promulgated which, it is claimed
is decidedly fairer test of ones abil
ity, regardless of the extent of the ap-
plicants education, and, which Incl
N
the examiner and the scorer of pa pers.
One of the typical reforms was that
effected in the spelling test. The old
method involved the dictation of a
number of selected words. This led
TO difficulties in hearing, and in mark.
ing the results. In place Of the die
tatiOn method there was adopted a
new plan.
The applicant is given sentences
containing misspelled words, the spell
ing being according to the sound Of
the words. He is directed to write the
words correctly in a specified space.
This plan eliminates possibility of mis-
understanding due to oral dictation.
This change was made after re-
search study showed a high relation
between relative spelling ability in the
dictated form and in this form. when
both forms were given to the same
experimental groups.
Age No Factor.
One of the interesting disclosures
noted during the construction of these
tests was that there appears to be
no relation between age and efficiency
in the Federal clerical service. The
ages Of clerks who volunteered to as
sist the commission in formulating
new standards ranged from 19 to So
The results. as tabulated, showed vir-
tually no difference between the scores
of the younger and the older clerks
who are now in the Civil Service Com.
missions office.
DIR. O'Rourke also made a study Of
the relation OF education to the eff.
cheney ratings of clerks. There was
noted a certain difference between the
efficiency ratings of those who, as a
group. had never attended high school
and those who had completed a high
school course, but no appreciable diff
ference was observed between the
efficiency ratings of those who had
attended one, two or three years of
high school
In general. however. the commits.
sion found that there was no pro.
nounced relation between the efficiency
ratings of the clerks and the extent
of their education. This study applied
solely to clerks, it is explained
Exact Jobs Considered.
The usual procedure followed by the
commission in these researches is to
determine first the exact duties of
the position under consideration, then
the processes involved in the per.
Torrance of those duties, next the
relative Importance of these processes
and, finally, the aptitudes and abili-
ties required in order to become pro.
ficient in the work.
What are the principal objects of
this great undertaking?
DR.. O'Rourke has summarized them
in the broad term of conservation"
conservation as eXemplified in the
selection for each kind of position OF
persons best qualified to render ef1i-
cient service in that particular work
conservation Of ability, training and
experience by<insuring maximum op.
portunity; conservation of energy
| where possible by reducing the
amount Of effort to perform the
duties; and, finally, conservation in
the procedure of selecting employees.
Uncle Sam and his employees are the
.. ..co-benefciaries IN this novel research
program.