Abstract
The paper describes the current British Psychological Society (BPS) approach to the development of professional test user qualifications through the use of a competence-based approach to the certification of test users. The rationale is described and contrasted with previous mechanisms for controlling standards in test use. The overall strategy is to develop more competent test users and to provide better information for them about tests. The latter is being accomplished through the establishment of a Register of Test Users with its associated journal Selection and Development Review; and the publication by BPS Books of regular test reviews and updates. To date, a Certification process has been implemented relating to psychological test use in occupational assessment settings. This comprises qualifications at two levels: “Level A” (tests of ability and aptitude) and “Level B” (personality assessment). The design and implementation of this system has raised many problems - theoretical, practical, political, and commercial. The focus of the new approach represents a radical change from past practice. It emphasises the competence of test users - rather than the means by which competence is attained. Standards have been defined and mechanisms established for assessing competence and for verifying and monitoring the quality of the assessment process.
References
1991 Addressing the abuse of psychological tests Personnel Management April 34 39
1993a Verification and monitoring procedures for the British Psychological Society Certificate of Competence in Psychological Testing Selection and Development Review 9 1 3
1993b Development of the Level-B standards in Occupational Testing The Psychologist 6 561
1995a The development of standards for the use of psychological tests: The competence approach The Psychologist 8 219 223
1995b The role of computer-based test interpretation (CBTI) in occupational assessment International Journal of Selection and Assessment 3 178 185
1995 Review of Level B Personality Assessment Instruments Leicester: BPS Books
1993 Assuring quality The Psychologist 6 561 562
1994 The BPS Level A Open Learning Programme Leicester: BPS Books
1990 A review of psychometric tests for assessment in vocational training. The Training Agency: Sheffield Leicester: BPS Books. (Republished in 1992)
1992 The selection of young people by medium-sized and large organisations Moorfoot, Sheffield: Employment Department, Careers Service Branch
1992 1992 update to the review of psychometric tests for assessment in vocational training Leicester: BPS Books
1995 The recruitment and selection of young people by small businesses Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology 68 339 358
1988 Employee selection in the UK Falmer, Sussex: Institute of Manpower Studies
1986 Management selection in Britain: A survey and critique Journal of Occupational Psychology 59 45 57
SCTS 1991 Competence in occupational testing: General information pack - Level A. Leicester: British Psychological Society Leicester: BPS Steering Committee on Test Standards
SCTS 1992 Certificate of Competence in Occupational Testing Level A: Guidance for assessors. Leicester: British Psychological Society Leicester: BPS Steering Committee on Test Standards
SCTS 1994 Certificate of Competence in Occupational Testing Level A: Guidance for assessors - Second Edition. Leicester: British Psychological Society Leicester: BPS Steering Committee on Test Standards
SCTS 1995 Certificate of Competence in Occupational Testing Level B: Guidance for assessors - First Edition. Leicester: British Psychological Society Leicester: BPS Steering Committee on Test Standards
1991 Management selection: A comparative survey of methods used in top British and French companies Journal of Occupational Psychology 64 23 36
1994 European management selection methods: A comparison of five countries International Journal of Selection and Assessment 2 91 102
1992 Patterns of selection in six countries The Psychologist 5 205 207
