In the fourth of a new series putting the range of psychometric tests under the spotlight we look at the ABLE series.
The ABLE (Aptitude for Business Learning Exercises) series is a set of exercises used for ability testing for both selection and development purposes. Rather than focusing on the more traditional skills such as verbal and numerical reasoning, the exercises assess candidates’ underlying abilities in various business scenarios, such as the ability to work with financial or legal information.
They combine work simulation with the objectivity of psychometric tests, measuring candidates’ potential to learn a given task or job, to succeed quickly in that job, and their ability to adapt quickly to a changing work environment.
The ABLE series is based on the theory that abilities need to be examined within an appropriate context, rather than abstractly, to effectively assess their potential application. Each exercise is therefore set within a business scenario, and candidates must use a combination of intellectual resources in order to progress. The complexity of each exercise is gradually increased by adding further information at regular stages.
Knowledge of the particular industry in which the examples are set is of no advantage. The exercises are designed to assess candidates’ ability to integrate knowledge and information and to learn as they go along. Candidates are taught concepts similar to those required in a role, and then tested on their ability to apply this knowledge.
These exercises have been shown to reduce the potential for adverse impact. That is, they are less likely than other tests to unfairly discriminate against candidates on the basis of factors such as gender, ethnicity or age. The ABLE series was developed relatively recently during the 1990’s, and represented the first major advance in this field of assessment for many decades.
Although the ABLE series does not have an exercise for every business function, the areas measured are transferable between roles. The exercises available are:
Business Decision Analysis
Candidates must demonstrate understanding of the criteria used to make business decisions.
Critical Business Planning
This exercise requires candidates to identify the business decisions that will lead to a company being successful.
Critical Information Analysis
Candidates need to decide whether they have sufficient information on which to base a business decision.
Commercial Reasoning
This assesses how well candidates use prioritisation to decide how to distribute their time between different activities.
Helpline
Candidates are assessed on their ability to effectively integrate information from a number of sources, which they could then feedback to somebody over the phone.
Legal Interpretation
This measures candidates’ ability to work with legal information by deciding whether companies have complied with legal regulations.
Financial Appraisal
This exercise assesses candidates’ potential to assess financial and statistical information and use it to make evaluations and decisions.
Fault Identification
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to interpret information, and to use it to identify and diagnose problems.
Product Inspection
This exercise assesses candidates’ ability to decide how to handle faulty items in accordance with certain rules.
Performance Programming
Candidates are required to demonstrate how they would use technical resources to meet various requirements, without exceeding the resource constraints.
Vetting Applications
This exercise requires candidates to extract information from different sources, interpret the findings, and use them to make judgements about applications.
The ABLE Series is applicable in many contexts from customer service, to manufacturing, to managerial. They can also be used for any level of role.
For further information, please contact OPP on 08708 728727 or visit the website at www.opp.eu.com
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