The SFS Test Solutions “Apprentices” and “Apprentices - Form for technical Jobs” are test batteries that can be used to evaluate the psychological prerequisites of applicants in various skilled occupations. The test battery for trainees and apprentices is available in a standard form (“Apprentices”) and also as an extended form for technical professions (“Apprentices - Form for technical jobs”) and is based on comprehensive empirical evidence on the predictive validity of cognitive abilities, professional interests, and personality traits for training success. The selection of specific dimensions is based on empirical findings that have specifically examined the prediction of training success. A meta-analysis by Diedrich, Neubauer, and Ortner (2018) with 648 trainees from five industries (including skilled trades, technology, and services) shows that verbal, numerical, and spatial-figurative intelligence, as well as conscientiousness, each contribute significantly to predicting grade point averages in vocational schools and together explain up to 37% of the variance in final grades. General cognitive ability and conscientiousness in particular prove to be strong predictors (Diedrich et al., 2018). A longitudinal study in the German National Education Panel (NEPS; n = 4,137) confirms that conscientiousness, beyond cognitive abilities, plays a consistent role in the successful transition to dual training and predicts all seven transition indicators examined (including start of training, dropout, final grade, satisfaction) (Nießen et a., 2020). Similar robust effects are shown in the meta-analysis by Schmidt and Hunter (1998), which documents a mean adjusted validity of .54 for cognitive tests and .31 for conscientiousness in vocational training. Furthermore, recent findings by Hambrick, Burgoyne, and Oswald (2024) suggest that cognitive abilities remain stable predictors of performance indicators throughout practical training, regardless of experience. For technical apprenticeships, the cognitive requirements profile is expanded to include visual-spatial ability and mechanical-technical comprehension. Spatial awareness proves to be a significant predictor of success in technical courses of study and professions, as it enables mental manipulation of three-dimensional objects and understanding of technical drawings. Mechanical-technical understanding is fundamental to understanding functional principles, laws, and technical relationships and proves to be a relevant predictor for the selection and training of individuals in mechanical professions, as well as for the successful completion of practical-technical further training (McDaniels & Reynold, 1955; Mayberry & Carey, 1997; SCHUHFRIED, 2019). Practical-technical interests (RIASEC dimension R) also increase the fit with the , especially in manual and technical occupations (Diedrich et al., 2018), while other interest dimensions complement the range of occupational aptitudes.
Based on these findings, the SFS Test Solution Apprentice Test measures the following dimensions:
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Cognitive abilities: Logical reasoning (INT), numerical ability (INT), verbal ability (INT), visual-spatial ability (INT; only for technical occupations), long-term memory (INT), ability to concentrate (TACO), mechanical-technical comprehension (MECH; only for technical occupations)
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Personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Emotional Stability (FCB5)
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Interests: Practical-technical interests, intellectual-research interests, artistic-linguistic interests, social interests, entrepreneurial interests, and organizational-administrative interests (PRIO)
These domains were selected on the basis of meta-analytical findings showing that the combination of cognitive abilities, professional interests, and personality traits achieves the highest predictive validity for job-related training success. A standard form and a form for technical professions, with the additional dimensions of visual-spatial ability and mechanical-technical comprehension, are available for aptitude testing of apprentices and trainees. The standard form takes about 62 minutes to complete, while the form for technical professions takes about 76 minutes.
References can be found here: Literature