A Critical Review of Literature on Employment Selection Tests

Abstract

This independent conceptual study paper discusses a critical review of literature on employment selection tests. The objectives are: to establish whether employment selection tests are the panacea of getting the right people for the right job. Secondly, to identify and classify employment selection tests and indicate weightings for different job fits. Finally to advance a critical analysis of employment selection test types and grey areas for recommendations to potential employers based on available research findings by various scholars. The paper further focusses on the various types of employment tests, definitions of tests, role of tests and the basis on which employment tests are determined; methods, objectives and aptitude as a process in Human Resource hiring by various organizational sectors. The paper also covers several areas in detail to give in-depth review and analysis of testing as a means of identifying the right people on right jobs namely employee selection, purpose of selection, employee selection styles and stages thereon. The paper discusses types of tests namely; attitude tests, achievement tests, personality tests, objectives tests, projective tests, situation tests, interest tests and the process namely; recruitment, methods and objectives are also highlighted. The critical review of this paper captures a section on review of theories relevant to the concept of selection tests for employment process and placement of Human Resource personnel in organizations.