When I was actively interviewing for high level engineering jobs I had to take tests. I’m 60 and before two years ago never once took a test. My engineering degree and MBA along with an impressive resume and an interview did the trick. I was informed by my headhunter that most of his clients were doing the tests. What was tested? Math, mostly fractions, long division and logic problems. I’d say they topped out at 8th grade, but were mostly grammar school level; also, Reading comprehension, mostly at 8th grade level. One test had me write a few answers and I assume they were checking for coherence, grammar and spelling. The headhunter told me that many of the college graduates failed the tests. Due to grade inflation, social promotion and dilution of the various degrees companies now, rightly, believe that college degrees signify nothing. So, why do students waste $30,000 per year for four years? I’d say education is ripe for a revolution.
Incidentally, another reason for the tests being universally applied is so that the companies can’t be accused of prejudice. My Headhunter told me that one client, who is next door to our historically black college, had failed almost all of the black graduates who applied. However, their personnel turnover dropped by double digits.
I thought that kind of testing had been ruled discriminatory in Griggs v. Duke Power? (That was the Supreme Court decision that began today’s trend of companies requiring college degrees for every position, necessary or not...just to prove some level of education and/or competence.)