Technical Report - International Military Testing Association

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Uses of NOS Evaluation Teot Results
J. E. HMREITM
US Army Enlieted Evaluation Center
Dr. Bruner, a mathematician and geophyoicist, more renowned for hie
contributions to hi8 fields than by the number of his publications, once
asked his students to differentiate between mathematicians and the colculur.
After a few minutes of their profound, evasive silence, he pointed out
mathematicians use calculus to solve problems which neither can solve
alone or which mathematicians can laboriouely solve with lees efficient
methods. Test6 of occupational capability, like the calcu?u.s, are tools
which can aid in the solution of per?onnel management proceasea only when
they are capably used. TeGt users, like mathematicians, can more
effectively solve their perconnel evaluation problems &en they make full
and appropriate use of the tests available to them.
The fir-et Army HOS Evaluatior Tests were edmlniotered in January 1959
as a basis for the award of proficiency pay. They were called HOS Proficiency
Tests and, for the most part, s-led the abil?ty of enlisted
personnel in grades E-4 and above to recall the fundmcntols of their
primary HOS training. The raw test 6corea vere converted to Arm; standard
scores, weightnd, and added to weighted Commander’s Evaluation Report
rating scales co provide a composite “proficiency score.” The te6t acores
. .., and proficiency acores were reported to the enlisted personnel concerned
and their unit personnel officers on a form entitled “Proficiency Data
Card.” Summaries of teat results were furnished to Headquarters,
Department of the Army, and major cousnands. The minimum score for the
award of proficiency pay for each Hilitery Occupational Specialty (!%3S)
was determined by the training requirements and attrition rate for the
MOS and the number of proficiency payments that could be made. Lists
of minimum proficiency score8 were distributed throughout the Army for
corrnnanders to use as a basis for individual proficiency pay awards. Ae
you can readily see, the first MS Evaluation Tests (MOS Proficiency Teets)
were used in two vaye: They were used by cormmurders and unit personnel
officers to determine which of their enlisted personnel met or exceeded
the minimum rcquiremcnts for the award of proficiency pay. The tests were
also used by enlisted perrronnel and their officers to estimate how they
ranked with all others tested in their MOS.
Current trends in the Army MOS Evaluation Program are tovard increaeed
emphasis on: sampling enlisted personnel’s LJilitieo to solve job
problem, multipurpose scores, and improved reporting of results. Becauee
of the wide variety of specialties in the Army and the large number of
personnel tested, realization of these trends is necesearily more complete
for some NOS than for others, though some progress has been made in all
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