2003 IMTA Proceedings - International Military Testing Association

46
To support the psychological interview, which is an important part of the selection procedure,
printouts with detailed test results of each candidate are produced. The test results are
available online as well. If there is just a slight characteristic indicating some problem, the
candidate is interviewed by one of the two psychologists that are at each of the induction
centers. This happens in about half of the cases, and the other half is interviewed by specially
trained non-academic personnel.
ERGOPSYCHOMETRY
All of the following test systems have one thing in common: They in some way also make use
of the concept of Ergopsychometry, a concept developed by Guttmann and others at the
University of Vienna: testing under neutral conditions followed by testing under appropriate
load conditions. It has been shown in various fields that the change of performance measured
allows a surprisingly reliable prognosis of performance under real life load conditions. As
stress resistance is obviously an important aspect in a soldiers daily life, it is also one of the
main dimensions our tests are supposed to reveal, and therefore Ergopsychometry is the
method of choice.
SELECTION OF FUTURE CADRE
The Cadre Aptitude Test is the next hurdle young soldiers applying to become career officers
or NCO have to pass. In general this test will come up about one or one and a half years after
passing the tests in the induction centers, that is after about half a year of military service.
With female applicants the Cadre Aptitude Test immediately follows the basic entrance exam
at an induction center.
This test should not only provide information on cognitive abilities, necessary to successfully
complete courses on schedule, but should also cover the necessary basic aptitude for serving
abroad as well as at home. While participation in international operations right now is still
based on volunteers, both cadre and militia, the next generation of cadre soldiers will
probably have to commit themselves to service abroad. Based on long-term experience in
PSO selection and other selection tasks and supported by very proficient officers and NCOs,
both of the Austrian International Peace Support Command and of homeland troops, it was
decided to use a mix of psychometric tests and assessment elements in the Cadre Aptitude
Test to cover all relevant psychological aspects. These also include social competence
(registered by assessing for example communication skills and conflict behavior), planning
and organizational skills, motivational parameters, etc. The soldiers are tested on their ability
to perform their duties also under stress, and not to be a potential danger to themselves or
others.
The Cadre Aptitude Test starts at 0930 and continues after a lunch break until 1700. Then
tests of physical condition follow, including a swimming exam, a 16 km hike at night, again
followed by another block of assessment elements and tests under load, a total of almost 24
hours without sleep. This is completed by a final personal interview by a psychologist.
45 th Annual Conference of the International Military Testing Association
Pensacola, Florida, 3-6 November 2003