Non-Cognitive Tools for Military Occupational Specialties Qualification
Abstract
This report updates and expands previous research by the Army Research Institute (ARI) examining whether the Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System (TAPAS) may be useful for selecting and classifying recruits into Military Occupational Specialties (MOS). The TAPAS data for this research were collected from Army applicants at the Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) between May 2009 and August 2013. In addition, criterion data were collected in the Tier One Performance Screen (TOPS) program up until June 2014. With these data, we first examined the validity of the TAPAS scales for predicting outcomes in five high density MOS including 11B, 31B, 68W, 88M, and 91B. Results indicated that the non-cognitive characteristics measured by the TAPAS are essential to MOS performance but are not fully captured by the ASVAB. Next, we also examined whether the TAPAS scales could be used to differentiate high performers in each MOS from those that would perform better in a different occupation. Results of these analyses indicated that some individuals might perform better in an MOS other than their current MOS. Therefore, the TAPAS may be useful as a supplement to the current procedures for MOS qualification and classification.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1116187
Entities
People
- Christopher D. Nye
- Fritz Drasgow
- Joshua Prasad
- Leonard A. White
- Oleksandr S. Chernyshenko
- Stephen Stark
- U. C. Kubisiak