I__. - International Military Testing Association

The Psychologist’s Method of Proposing Assignment Symbols
In formulating his assignment proposals, the psychologist goes by the system of symbols laid
down in the Personnel Requisition Table. The psychological aptitude prerequisites for the
military jobs are compiled in the so-called Symbol Assignment Ttible. This table was issued by
the Psychological Service and is structured in the same way as the Personnel Requisition Table,
giving the assignment symbols instead of specialty numbers. In this table, psychological aptitude
profiles am set up for each assignment symbol according to the method of multiple cut-off scores.
Different kinds of prerequisites are attached to each symbol which have to be observed by the
psychologist:
Table 3 : Psychologically-Based Assignment Proposals in Accord with:
5.
- medical requirements
- basic intelligence level
- cut-off scores in the relevant subtests;
- (for certain symbols:) additional indispensable or desirable aptitude prerequisites such as
knowledge of English language, driver’s license, etc.
- administrative remarks
- specified civilian occupational training, if indicated in the Personnel Requisition Table
The psychologist will compare the total pattern of his diagnostic findings to the job characteristics
of the assignment symbols, especially to their concretized medical, occupational, test
and other implications, and pick out the ones corresponding to the draftee’s aptitudes. Assignment
symbols ruled out medically are absolutely excluded. With respect to the other aptitude
prerequisites, the psychologist is normally given a high judgment factor:
a) He may go below the prescribed cut-off scores (regarding intelligence level and subtest
results) if the difference is within the frame of the confidential limits given by the test reliability.
b) Major deviations fmm the test profiles are permitted in individual cases if psychodiagnostitally
founded. The same is valid for deviations from occupational and other prerequisites.
The psychologist then ranks the assignment symbols he is going to propose. The priorities are
subject to his judgment. He will take into account for which symbol the aptitude is best, and
which are the draftee’s personal interests and preferences. If a draftee is suited for a so-called
.deficit symbol for which manpower replacement is difficult, this is regularly given priority. A
list of these symbols is available for the psychologist.
Methodical Deficiencies in Aptitude Assessment
The test profiles and cut-off scores established for the assignment symbols were set up according
to expert ratings. They were not based on detailed job analyses. Systematic research on the
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