How to Select an Assessment
Selecting the appropriate TOWES assessment will yield the
results you are looking for. The following questions will help
guide you through the selection process.
What is the
purpose for testing?
A first
step in selecting an assessment is to clearly establish the purpose
for testing. Common reasons for testing include:
- Identifying skill gaps in preparation for training.
- Measuring work readiness for a specific occupation.
- Recruiting and selecting employees.
- Helping clients make career planning decisions.
- Measuring learning gains.
In
general, for employment related testing the national occupational
standards found in the Essential Skills Profiles provide a good
indication of the level of assessment and version of the assessment
that should be used. If the purpose for testing is related to
training or career planning, a General Series assessment is often
selected.
What are the
skill level requirements?
Selecting the appropriate level of assessment is crucial.
Assessments that are too basic or too complex for their intended
use will yield poor results and provide limited information.
For
recruitment, work-readiness and other employment applications, you
should select an assessment that measures at the level required for
successful employment. This information can be located in the
Essential Skills Profiles, but in most cases, the Canadian labour
market requires skills at Level 3 or higher.
For
identifying skill gaps, measuring learning gains and other training
applications, you should select an assessment that will diagnose
individuals who are at-risk and may require additional support.
Typically, individuals with skills at Level 3 or higher are
successful in training so a Level 2/3 assessment will allow you to
identify those who may need remedial interventions, and those who
already have the skills needed.
What is the
predicted skill level of the test taker?
Consideration should be given to the anticipated skill level(s) of
a client or group fo clients, especially when working with
low-skilled or high-skilled individuals.
- Individuals with low-skills will become easily discouraged when
writing TOWES, regardless of the purpose for testing. In these
instances it is appropriate to select a Level 1/2 test.
- Conversely, highly-skilled individuals will be motivated to
demonstrate their full range of abilities and should complete a
Level 2/3 or Level 3/4 assessment.
Will test results be
used for recruitment, selection or succession
planning?
Employment testing is considered high-stakes. In general, selection
criteria are chosen based on bona fide occupational or training
requirements, and not on an arbitrarily selected skill level. In
other words, the assessment used should reflect the skills needed
for work. The Essential Skills Profiles provide a good resource for
information on the skill level requirements for over 200 Canadian
occupations.
Is a specific
result or general indication of skill needed?
If the
purpose of testing is to gain a general indication of a test
taker's ability, select a version of TOWES that will provide you
with a broad range of information. The most broadly-based version
of TOWES is the G2 (level 2/3) because it is representative of
several different sectors and occupations. It will also allow for a
wide range of test scores as it measures mid-range in the testing
scale.
Will the test be
administered to a diverse group of test takers?
If the
group of test takers is expected to have a range of skills and
abilities, you may wish to select a version of TOWES that is
appropriate for the largest number of individuals (if no other
occupational or training requirements are a factor in testing). The
General Series Level 2/3 is the most broadly-based version of
TOWES.
Is the test group
from a particular industry or sector?
TOWES
has developed five sector-specific assessments for industries
including manufacturing, aerospace, office administration, health
care and apprenticeable trades. The assessments are constructed
from workplace materials that are commonly used in these industries
which lends face validity to the tools. The tools also target the
skill level requirements for work in these industries and are based
on a compilation of several Occupational Profiles.
To find out which existing TOWES assessment best suits your
needs:
For more information, contact TOWES.